Always Caring

Pros

• The group home has a dedicated area for physical therapy equipped with necessary equipment, enhancing the residents' rehabilitation opportunities.
• The rooms are spacious and come with TVs, creating a comfortable living environment.
• Always Caring offers hospital bed options, ensuring that residents' individual needs are met.
• Skilled nurses are available on-site at all times, providing peace of mind for families regarding medical care.
• The staff is described as caring and nurturing, making the transition to the group home a positive experience for residents who have lived independently for many years.
• The facility is designed to feel more like a home than a traditional nursing facility, which adds to the residents' comfort and well-being.
• The value for money is favorable compared to traditional nursing homes, especially with the focus on one-on-one care in this group home setting.
• The dining area encourages social interaction among residents with its family-style seating arrangement around a large wooden table.
• There are ample opportunities for physical activity and mobility improvement through designated areas and equipment for therapy exercises.
• The manager's quick response and ability to accommodate requests within two weeks demonstrate efficient and attentive management at the facility.

Cons

• The residents do not have many outings and are not taken anywhere for activities.
• Although the accommodations were made quickly, it may indicate a lack of thorough preparation time for the transition.
• There seems to be limited furniture options, as only single twin beds and regular furniture are available unless a hospital bed is requested.
• While the facility is well-kept, there might be concerns about whether it feels more institutional than homely due to its nursing home background.
• The focus on one-on-one care could imply that staff-to-resident ratios may still be a concern in some circumstances.

Review

The decision to transition a loved one into a care facility is never an easy one, but finding the right environment can make all the difference. Always Caring is a group home that has proven to be an excellent choice for my dad, especially considering his prior experience living independently for many years. This move represented a significant change in his lifestyle, as he had never lived in a group home or any facility outside of his own house. Thankfully, the transition has gone smoothly due to the accommodating and nurturing nature of the staff, who have worked hard to create an atmosphere that feels more like a home than a typical nursing facility.

One of the standout features of Always Caring is its emphasis on physical therapy and rehabilitation. The home's dedicated area for physical therapy includes various equipment designed to aid residents in maintaining mobility and independence. The presence of amenities such as treadmills and other exercise tools allows for tailored rehabilitation programs that cater to each resident's specific needs. This commitment to physical health not only fosters recovery but also encourages residents to engage in regular activity—an essential aspect of maintaining their overall well-being.

The spaciousness and comfort of the rooms at Always Caring are also noteworthy. Each room is equipped with a TV and furnished with standard furniture alongside options for hospital beds if required. The single twin beds prioritize comfort while allowing personal customization according to each resident's preferences. This attention to creating inviting living spaces contributes significantly to my dad’s positive experience; it makes him feel more at ease as he adjusts to life in this new setting.

In terms of medical care, Always Caring excels with its comprehensive support services. Having two nurses on-site at all times ensures that residents receive timely medical assistance when needed. Additionally, access to a visiting podiatrist and nurse practitioner who can provide primary care enhances the quality of health services available without necessitating travel away from the residence—a major convenience for both residents and their families alike. Such accessibility alleviates any concerns regarding immediate healthcare needs.

Moreover, I appreciate how value-driven Always Caring is compared to traditional nursing homes where costs can escalate significantly out-of-pocket. It offers personalized one-on-one care reminiscent of what you might expect from higher-end facilities without incurring prohibitive expenses typical in full-fledged nursing homes. For someone like my dad, this approach not only ensures he receives attentive care but also respects our family’s budgetary constraints.

Dining at Always Caring presents another opportunity for social engagement among residents, which further enriches their experience there. The communal dining area features a long wooden table capable of seating eight people comfortably, enhancing meals' family-style atmosphere where everyone gathers together—a fundamental aspect often overlooked in solitary dining settings typical in many facilities. However, while the environment seems welcoming and engaged within its walls, it should be noted that outings outside the home are rare; they primarily focus on activities inside or ensuring physical engagement through rehabilitative exercises downstairs.

Overall, my interactions with management have been overwhelmingly positive; quick responses from the manager allowed us to navigate this transition seamlessly within less than two weeks—an impressively efficient turnaround time given such significant changes typically require more time and logistical effort elsewhere. Seeing my dad settled into his new community so quickly has been reassuring; it signifies that we made an informed choice when selecting Always Caring as his new home—one defined by compassion, supportiveness, and respect for individual comfort levels within shared living arrangements.

Parks

• Lake Elkhorn Park (0.5 miles)
• Blandair Regional Park (1.8 miles)
• Martin Road Park (1.9 miles)
• Centennial Park (4 miles)
• Centennial Park (4.6 miles)
• High Ridge Park (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Hunan Manor Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• HomeSlyce (0.6 miles)
• Frisco Tap House & Brewery (0.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.3 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Café Nordstrom (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wegmans (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Walgreens (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Columbia 14 (2.6 miles)
• Cinemark Holdings (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• American Vein Institute (2.8 miles)
• Hopkins gastroenterology clinic (3.1 miles)
• Mid Atlantic Nephrology Association (3.2 miles)
• Seton Medical Group (3.2 miles)
• Columbia Dermatology Center (3.2 miles)
• American Spine (3.2 miles)
• Dr. Klebanow & Associates (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bridgeway Community Church (3.2 miles)
• St Augustine's Church (6.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Howard County General Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine (3.3 miles)
• Sheppard Pratt Health System (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• BWI Rental Car Facility (7.2 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (7.2 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (7.2 miles)