Ark Assisted Living

Pros

• The home appears to be well-maintained and has a pleasant atmosphere.
• The owner of the home seems to have good intentions, as indicated by the gentleman's efforts to contact them.
• The living space is spacious enough to accommodate multiple residents comfortably.
• The individual who answered the door demonstrated hospitality by directing the visitor to another person.
• The gentleman in the kitchen appeared to care about feeding those in his charge, reflecting concern for their well-being.

Cons

• The individual who answered the door seemed confused and did not speak English well, leading to a lack of effective communication.
• The person giving the tour was unable to do so because they had to feed the residents, indicating poor management and prioritization.
• There appeared to be inadequate food provisions for the tenants, raising concerns about their care and well-being.
• The deck was unsafe, lacking a railing, which posed a potential hazard for residents.
• Overall, there were strong feelings of discontent regarding the care environment, leading to the reviewer’s decision never to place their mother in this facility.

Review

The experience of visiting a care facility for an appointment can often evoke a mixture of emotions ranging from hope to apprehension. In this particular instance, the visit began on an uncertain note. Upon arriving at the facility, the visitor was met with an unusual delay at the door. After several persistent knocks, an individual residing in the home finally answered. The initial interaction left much to be desired; although well-intentioned, the response was disjointed and confusing. The resident pointed the visitor toward another individual who could supposedly assist further.

Unfortunately, communication became a significant barrier during this encounter. The person whom the visitor was directed to seemed to struggle with English proficiency and appeared visibly confused about the situation. This misunderstanding culminated in him attempting to reach out to the owner of the facility, only to find that their calls went unanswered. Such disarray showcased not just a lack of organization but raised red flags about accountability within the establishment.

As the visitor entered the living room, they encountered a rather unsettling scene: four individuals present in varying states of engagement or disengagement—one resident was even asleep. This observation was concerning because it highlighted questions regarding supervision and attentiveness within this care setting. Instead of being greeted by staff members who were eager to showcase their home and services through warm interactions or informative tours, there was instead a palpable sense of neglect that hung in the air.

Stepping outside onto what appeared to be a deck offered little reassurance either—the absence of railings seemed hazardous given its elevation off the ground. Safety features are vital components when evaluating any care facility; without proper precautions in place for more vulnerable populations, one must consider whether standard safety protocols are being maintained diligently.

In addition to these observations regarding safety and communication issues came another striking concern: food availability for residents. While one staff member was seen enjoying a meal that looked appetizing, it raised ethical questions about how residents’ nutritional needs were being addressed or prioritized within this particular environment. This discrepancy suggested potential neglect and inconsistency between what caregivers consume versus what is provided for those entrusted into their care.

The culmination of these experiences solidified an overwhelmingly negative impression regarding suitability as a care provider for loved ones—specifically elders needing assistance and support. The individual reflecting on their visit expressed deep-seated concerns about ever placing their own mother in such conditions due to these observations about neglect when it came either to basic needs like food or essential safety considerations throughout common spaces.

While some might label this residence as “a very nice home,” mere aesthetics alone cannot mask significant underlying issues surrounding care provision practices that significantly undermine residents' well-being and safety overall—it sparked overarching reflections surrounding dignity values toward those who deserve consideration regardless of their specific life stages or cognitive challenges faced within different environments they inhabit through various levels of dependency over time.

This part of Bowie, Maryland offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors considering the area for living. With multiple pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens within a short distance, accessing medication and healthcare supplies is easily manageable. There are also numerous dining options including IHOP, Chick-Fil-A, and Applebee's for enjoyable meals out. Parks like Allen Pond Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to healthcare is readily available with nearby physicians such as Maryland Primary Care Physicians and hospitals like Bowie Health Center-Emergency Medical Care within close proximity. Places of worship like St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church cater to spiritual needs, while cafes such as Starbucks offer social settings for meeting with friends. For entertainment, Regal Waugh Chapel & IMAX Theater provides a place for enjoying movies. Additionally, transportation options through the New Carrollton Amtrak Station make it convenient to travel to other locations if needed.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.6 miles)
• Kaiser Pharmacy (6.1 miles)
• Walgreens (6.1 miles)

Restaurants

• IHOP (1.2 miles)
• Rips Country Inn (1.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (2 miles)
• Applebee's (2 miles)
• Calvert Brewing Company (2.2 miles)
• Wendy's (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Allen Pond Park (1.6 miles)
• Watkins Regional Park (4.5 miles)
• Mellwood Park (8.8 miles)
• Piney Orchard Nature Preserve (9.7 miles)
• Marlton Community Park (10 miles)

Physicians

• Maryland Primary Care Physicians (2.1 miles)
• MyEyeDr (2.3 miles)
• TLC Pediatrics (2.3 miles)
• Johns Hopkins (3.3 miles)
• Malouf Eye Center (3.3 miles)
• Dr Vanessa Allen (5.1 miles)
• The Pediatric Group (5.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Bowie Health Center-Emergency Medical Care (2.6 miles)
• Luminis Health Community Clinic Arundel Lodge (10.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christian Community Presbyterian Church (4.2 miles)
• St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (6.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.2 miles)
• Starbucks (8.4 miles)
• Starbucks (10 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Waugh Chapel & IMAX (8.3 miles)

Transportation

• New Carrollton Amtrak Station (8.3 miles)