Holland Farms

Pros

• The staff at Holland Farms are friendly, caring, and compassionate, providing a warm and welcoming environment for residents.
• Residents enjoy a variety of activities that keep them busy and socially engaged within the community.
• The community is described as beautiful, safe, clean, and comfortable for residents.
• The transition process for new residents is handled with empathy and support by the staff.
• Holland Farms offers opportunities for residents to maintain their independence while making connections with others their own age.
• Families appreciate the polite interactions from staff and the cleanliness of common spaces.
• Recent improvements in activities have been positively noted, including outings and social events like bingo.

Cons

• The family had a poor experience due to residents being without Central AC for over two weeks, and solutions were only offered after insistence.
• There is an alarming turnover rate at Holland Farms, with multiple directors being terminated abruptly without notice to residents.
• Despite the facility's beautiful appearance, it is under constant repair, including significant issues like a leaking shower that left walls and flooring exposed for months.
• Residents experienced distress from broken central AC units and heaters, but leadership responded with denial and accusations regarding thermostat usage.
• There is a notable lack of urgency in addressing building repairs and a lack of transparency among the staff concerning these issues.
• Rent increases continue despite unmet guarantees for amenities.
• The reviewer is grateful they moved their loved ones out of Holland Farms after a stressful two years, implying dissatisfaction with the overall experience.

Review

Holland Farms has garnered a mix of reviews from residents and their families, representing both positive experiences and notable concerns that potential residents should consider. For many, the warmth and kindness of the staff have become standout aspects of this assisted living community. Multiple reviewers expressed appreciation for the empathy and compassion shown by the team, particularly during transitional phases. One family noted how helpful staff members were during their mother’s adjustment from independent living to assisted care post-injury; they emphasized that Holland Farms became a safe and cheerful new home for her, thanks to attentive caregivers who genuinely cared about her well-being.

The sense of community at Holland Farms is evident in various testimonials. Residents appreciate the friendliness among staff and fellow residents, which fosters an inviting atmosphere. Activities such as bingo and excursions are regularly organized, keeping residents socially engaged and active—a priority cited by families looking to ensure their loved ones maintain connections with peers. A newcomer mentioned how a kind receptionist helped ease their grandmother's nerves upon arrival, demonstrating that first impressions matter significantly in settling into a new environment.

However, despite these positive attributes, serious issues have been highlighted by other reviewers concerning facility management and maintenance. Concerns regarding prolonged outages of central air conditioning were raised repeatedly; some families expressed frustration at having no solutions offered until they insisted on alternative arrangements like window units. Such incidents reflect deeper systemic problems within Holland Farms’ operations and raise questions about overall responsiveness to resident needs. The dissatisfaction culminates in claims suggesting there was a lack of urgency regarding repairs—a sentiment echoed when mentioning persistent plumbing issues and incomplete fixes affecting livability.

Another frequent concern involves staffing stability; several reviews pointed out high turnover rates among personnel at Holland Farms, indicating possible underlying issues within management practices especially considering there had been multiple changes in directorship over just two years—an unsettling frequency for any long-term care residence. Families expressed alarm over abrupt terminations without adequate communication or transparency with residents.

Despite these growing pains associated with staffing instability and logistical challenges within the facility itself, some remained hopeful that improvements could be made—especially regarding food service after hiring a new chef intended to enhance meal quality. As one resident shared optimism about recent activities improving in quantity and engagement level amidst staff transitions, it suggests potential recovery avenues exist even amid current difficulties.

In summary, while Holland Farms offers commendable traits such as compassionate staff interactions, engaging communal activities, and a warm atmosphere conducive to socialization among seniors, alarming operational shortcomings warrant caution from prospective residents or those seeking placements for loved ones. The mixture of glowing testimonies juxtaposed against serious complaints paints a complex portrait: one filled with genuine care but hindered by critical infrastructural deficiencies needing attention before truly deeming it an ideal place for senior living solutions.

This part of Norwalk, Iowa offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for seniors considering the area for living. There are several restaurants within a short distance, including Pyra, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, and Old West Mexican, providing a range of dining options. Additionally, there are multiple healthcare providers in the vicinity, such as Jones Family Dental and Mercy Clinics, ensuring convenient access to medical care. Several pharmacies are also nearby for easy prescription refills. For leisure activities, there are parks like Sayers Park and Gray's Lake Park where seniors can enjoy outdoor recreation. The proximity to Des Moines International Airport allows for convenient travel arrangements when needed. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience and comfort for seniors looking to settle in Norwalk.

Restaurants

• Pyra (0.9 miles)
• Cumming Tap (4.1 miles)
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (4.6 miles)
• Burger King (5.8 miles)
• Subway (6 miles)
• Old West Mexican (6 miles)
• McDonald's (6.1 miles)

Physicians

• Jones Family Dental (1.3 miles)
• Norwalk Family Physicians (1.8 miles)
• Michael Agey, DO (2.5 miles)
• Oral Surgeons PC (4.2 miles)
• Mercy Clinics (5.3 miles)
• Deanna Boesen, MD (5.3 miles)
• South Glenn Walk In Clinic (6.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Medicap (2.5 miles)
• MercyOne Des Moines Behavioral Health (5.3 miles)
• Walgreens (5.9 miles)
• Walgreens (7.8 miles)
• Walgreens (7.8 miles)
• Walgreens (7.8 miles)
• Osco Pharmacy (7.9 miles)

Transportation

• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) (5.1 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint (5.1 miles)
• Concourse C (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• St Kilda Collective (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.3 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (8.5 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.8 miles)

Parks

• Water Works Park (6 miles)
• Sayers Park (6.4 miles)
• Gray's Lake Park (7.5 miles)
• Kawanis Park (8.1 miles)
• Stone Park (8.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Village (8.8 miles)
• Iowa Methodist Medical Center (8.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Covenant Presbyterian Church (8.8 miles)
• Shepherd Of The Valley (9 miles)