Side By Side

Pros

• The ambiance at Side by Side was described as very good and down to earth, creating a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
• The staff, particularly Emily, were noted as superb and delightful, contributing positively to the overall experience of the facility.
• Side by Side is a locally owned facility, which allowed for direct communication with the owner and personalized attention for residents.
• The cleanliness of the facility was appreciated, along with the ample staff available to assist residents.
• Residents had access to various activities such as Bingo, card games, and social hours that fostered community engagement.
• The payment terms at Side by Side were considered beneficial since they did not charge extra for additional services provided to residents in need.
• Despite challenges with food preferences, the owner and staff remained understanding and attentive to family concerns throughout the process.

Cons

• The room at Side By Side was very small.
• The initial servings of food were not large enough for the residents' liking.
• The food quality was a consistent point of dissatisfaction for the father, who felt that the cook was giving him smaller portions and lower quality meals.
• Despite the owner's efforts, the father often complained about his situation and had paranoid episodes regarding his care.
• The father's deterioration, both physically and mentally, over time was sad and depressing to witness.
• The father required more assistance than what was allowed by the facility's rules, despite receiving care without extra cost.

Review

Finding a Suitable Assisted Living Facility: A Personal Journey with Side By Side

Choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one can be a daunting task, made even more challenging when the individual wants to remain in their home as long as possible. This was the situation I faced when my father, who was 91 years old and suffering from severe dementia, resisted moving from his home of 60 years. Living approximately 270 miles away added another layer of difficulty, but through diligent research and discussions with various establishments in Pittsfield, I discovered Side By Side, a locally owned facility that offered a more personalized touch.

Upon visiting Side By Side, my initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive. The ambiance was warm and inviting, devoid of the pretentiousness found in some higher-end facilities. Although the rooms were small—an aspect that could deter some families—the price point was manageable at around $3,000 per month. What stood out most was the vibrant atmosphere filled with lively interactions among residents and staff alike; this sense of community seemed to foster connections that many larger facilities often lack. Emily, one of the staff members I encountered during my visit, exemplified the level of care provided; her delightful demeanor made us feel welcome from the moment we walked through the door.

Side By Side is unique in its structure—a collection of refurbished homes catering to multiple guests—with two or three floors and an elevator for accessibility. The facility is designed for roughly 36 residents and boasts ample staffing aimed at ensuring each resident's needs are met. My brother-in-law’s experience echoed similar sentiments; he enjoyed social activities like Bingo and card games but expressed dissatisfaction regarding meal portions. The staff assured him that he could request second servings whenever desired; however, these small servings led to complaints about food quantity—a concern not uncommon in assisted living facilities where appetites can vary significantly.

The most significant step came after conversations with friends who expressed concern over my father's declining health following a particularly troubling episode. With their encouragement and after speaking directly with the owner of Side By Side, arrangements were made to bring my father into the facility under somewhat misleading pretenses—we told him it would be just a temporary vacation. This feat required great delicacy given his deteriorating mental state; however, we managed it successfully thanks to compassionate coordination by the facility’s owner.

Once settled into Side By Side, my father formed connections with both staff and fellow residents during meals at his assigned dining table. While he appreciated their kindness greatly—often lauding them for being pleasant—he continued to express grievances regarding food quality. His dementia manifested as paranoia; he became convinced that not only were his portions smaller than others’, but also claimed they were of inferior quality altogether despite evidence to the contrary. Such episodes illustrated one of many challenges faced by caregivers as they navigate the delicate balance between reality and perception in dementia care.

Despite side concerns about my father's specific needs—especially given assisted living rules surrounding self-sufficiency—the staff at Side By Side provided attentive care without extra charges for additional services like many other facilities do. Due to numerous residents having state-funded support which limits costs on extra services, this flat-rate pricing model proved beneficial in keeping finances manageable while ensuring adequate care was delivered consistently.

In reflecting on our journey with Side By Side over several months until my father's subsequent transition into an Alzheimer’s ward at another facility towards the end of his life earlier this year, I am reassured that choosing this establishment was ultimately right for him at that time. It offered a fair rate alongside attentive services while focusing on creating meaningful relationships within its walls—a stark contrast to more corporate environments that can foster anonymity instead of community connection. Though witnessing his decline has been heart-wrenching, knowing he received compassionate care during his final months provides some solace amidst this profound loss.

This part of Pittsfield, Massachusetts offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With several physicians' offices, including Berkshire Osteopathic Health and Berkshire Internal Medicine, as well as pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens nearby, residents have easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts a variety of dining options, from Mexican cuisine at Panchos Mexican Restaurant to tapas at Mission Bar & Tapas. Transportation options are readily available with Amtrak PIT station and U-Haul Moving & Storage in close proximity. For leisure and recreation, parks like The Common Park and Springside Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, there are several hospitals within a short distance, such as BMC Hillcrest Campus and Berkshire Health Systems, ensuring quality medical care is always accessible. Overall, this area of Pittsfield combines convenience, dining choices, healthcare facilities, and recreational options that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Physicians

• Fabrizio Michael Fabrizio Michael Office Pittsfield (0.1 miles)
• Berkshire Osteopathic Health (0.5 miles)
• Berkshire Internal Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Berkshire Endoscopy Center (0.6 miles)
• Berkshire Ear Nose Throat & Audiological Associates, PC (0.6 miles)
• Chp Neighborhood Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Kellogg, Jeffrey - Greylock Audiology (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mark's Church (0.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Big Y Pharmacy and Wellness Center (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Flynn's Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• T&C Flynn's Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Flynn's Home Medical Equipment (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Methuselah Bar and Lounge (0.6 miles)
• Panchos Mexican Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Mission Bar & Tapas (0.6 miles)
• District Kitchen & Bar (0.6 miles)
• Hot Harry's Fresh Burritos (0.6 miles)
• Patrick's Pub (0.7 miles)
• Highland Restaurant (0.7 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak PIT (0.6 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.9 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.2 miles)
• Pittsfield Municipal Airport (PSF) (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Dotties Coffee Lounge (0.6 miles)
• Marketplace Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (3 miles)
• Guido's Fresh Marketplace (3.2 miles)

Parks

• The Common Park (0.8 miles)
• Springside Park (1.4 miles)
• Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• BMC - Radiology (0.8 miles)
• Berkshire Physicians & Surgeons Pc (0.9 miles)
• Hillcrest Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Berkshire Health Systems (0.9 miles)
• BMC Hillcrest Campus (0.9 miles)
• Berkshire Health Systems (2 miles)