Derham Woods Personal Care

Pros

• The reviews describe this facility as the best place for loved ones.
• The staff are well organized and provide good care for seniors.
• It is described as the best place for a loved one to be cared for.
• It is called the best personal care home in Georgia.
• Visitors express gratitude and appreciation for the care received.

Cons

• The facility places loved ones at risk.
• There have been many unreported falls.
• Attendants don't stay long.
• Lunch consists of two pieces of one-inch-thick Cuban bread with very little filling.
• There is no cable.
• Medications are lost and staff get mad at residents.
• A whole month of medications was lost at one point.
• A resident ended up next door a couple of times.
• The owner dislikes being questioned and responds with attitude.
• The services are very overpriced for minimal care.

Review

There is a striking mix of voices about this personal care home, with some reviewers insisting it's the best place for a loved one and others warning that safety and value don't live up to the hype. Taken together, the remarks sketch a portrait of a facility that can feel like a very comfortable home to some families, while leaving others unsettled by what they perceive as gaps in care, communication, and daily life amenities.

On the negative side, several accounts paint a picture of serious safety and consistency issues. Reviewers report unreported falls, a troubling sign for anyone entrusting a loved one to daily supervision. They describe attendants who don't stay long, suggesting turnover that could undermine continuity of care. Mobility and supervision concerns are augmented by a sense of disorganization in daily routines, with caregivers seeming stretched and less available to residents when they're most needed. The impression of lax oversight is reinforced by stories of medication mishaps, including one case where an entire month of medications went missing and was not resolved to the family's satisfaction. Another frequent lament is that a resident ended up next door to where they should have been, highlighting what feels like a lack of accountability and careful placement within the facility.

Dining and basic daily comforts also come under criticism in some accounts. The lunch routine is described in a way that makes it hard to see how meals meet nutritional or sensory expectations: two pieces of one-inch-thick Cuban bread with so little filling that it's hard to tell if a meal is present at all. The lack of amenities such as cable television - echoed by critics of the facility's entertainment and activity options - adds to a sense that the daily experience may be light on enriching or engaging elements. In combination with the medication and turnover concerns, these details contribute to a broader perception of care that may be minimal rather than comprehensive.

Another frequent thread is the experience of dealing with the owner. Several reviewers recount a confrontational dynamic, noting that the owner doesn't welcome questions and can respond with an attitude when concerns are raised. That kind of interaction can leave families feeling excluded from the care decisions or uneasy about how issues will be handled, which in turn colors the overall sense of trust in the facility. Price also enters the conversation as a point of contention, with reviewers labeling the service as overpriced for what's delivered, suggesting a mismatch between cost and the level of care, attention, and amenities described by some staff or supporters.

Yet the story is not one-sided. A number of comments highlight a very different experience, with positive affirmations about well-organized staff and the sense that it can be a good place for senior care. Phrases like "Best place for your loved ones" and "Best place for your loved one to be taken care of" appear repeatedly, underscoring that for some families the staff structure feels capable, compassionate, and reliable. There are lines of appreciation that echo gratitude for the level of organization and the care that is delivered, painting a picture of a facility that, for certain residents and families, lives up to the best expectations of personal care homes. Some reviewers even describe the staff as well organized and the environment as a strong option for senior care, which suggests that when things click, the facility can provide the dependable, respectful care families are seeking.

Taken as a whole, the anecdotes reveal a facility that produces a broad spectrum of experiences. For some families, it is a trusted haven where staff are competent and the care is steady enough to feel like the right choice for a loved one. For others, the same place raises red flags about safety, accountability, and value, prompting serious questions about medication handling, incident reporting, and the responsiveness of management. The divergence in experiences highlights how critical it is to look closely at day-to-day operations, talk directly with staff and administration, and observe how a home functions during a regular day - not just during a tour or in promotional materials.

If you're weighing this option for a loved one, it's important to go in with a clear checklist and a plan for asking hard questions. Inquire about how falls are tracked and prevented, what staffing ratios look like across shifts, how medications are stored and administered, and what accountability processes exist when a medication or care item goes missing. Ask to meet the owner or administrator and discuss how questions and feedback are handled, so you can gauge whether that responsive, respectful communication is consistent. Review dining options, activity programming, and the availability of amenities like television and social engagement, to ensure the daily routine aligns with your loved one's preferences. And finally, compare pricing with the level of care described, ensuring that what you're paying correlates with the services and outcomes you value most.

This part of Decatur, Georgia offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to individuals looking for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. With several places of worship nearby, such as Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church and Christ Our Hope Catholic Church, residents have options for spiritual fulfillment. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS are easily accessible for any medication needs. There are plenty of dining options including fast food chains like McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A, as well as local restaurants like Zanza and Reel Steel Sports Bar & Grill. Medical care is also readily available with physicians like South Dekalb Family Physicians and hospitals like DeKalb Medical Hillandale in close proximity. For leisure activities, residents can enjoy the outdoors at parks like Redan Park and East Lake Park, or catch a movie at theaters such as Starlight Six Drive-In. Public transportation via MARTA stations provides easy access to surrounding areas, while cafes like Panera Bread and Dancing Goats Coffee Bar offer cozy spots to relax with a cup of coffee. Overall, this neighborhood in Decatur presents a vibrant and well-rounded community perfect for seniors seeking a mix of convenience and entertainment options.

Places of Worship

• Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church (0.6 miles)
• Mountainside Seventh Day Adventist Church (1.4 miles)
• Berean Christian Church (4.2 miles)
• New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (4.7 miles)
• Christ Our Hope Catholic Church (5.4 miles)
• Avondale Church Of Christ (5.5 miles)
• Fairfield Baptist Church (5.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Reel Steel Sports Bar & Grill (1.5 miles)
• Zanza (1.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Wendy's (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• South Dekalb Family Physicians (2.7 miles)
• Georgia Family Care (3.4 miles)
• Metro Surgical Associates (4.1 miles)
• East Dekalb Health CTR (6.4 miles)
• Oakhurst Pediatrics (6.7 miles)
• Atlanta OB/GYN (7.3 miles)
• Dekalb Medical Ctrdecatur Decatur (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• DeKalb Medical Hillandale (4.2 miles)

Parks

• Redan Park (5.9 miles)
• East Lake Park (6 miles)
• McKoy Park (6.5 miles)
• Glen Emerald Park (6.8 miles)
• Bessie Branham Park (7.3 miles)
• Toy Park (7.6 miles)
• Stone Mountain Walk Up Trail (8.8 miles)

Transportation

• Marta - Westbound (6.8 miles)
• MARTA Inman Park - Reynoldstown Station (8.9 miles)

Theaters

• Starlight Six Drive-In (7.5 miles)
• AMC Madison Yards 8 (8.7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (7.5 miles)
• Dancing Goats Coffee Bar (7.6 miles)
• El Tesoro (8.2 miles)
• Muchacho (8.8 miles)