Barbee Manor

Pros

• My friend has been at Alpha Manor for over three years now and she is very happy.
• The staff is wonderful to her and myself at all times.
• All of the other residents appear to be well cared for too.
• The Aides are friendly.
• Patients are clean.

Cons

• The facility is absolutely horrible.
• The staff are careless.
• Nurses were fighting in the lobby on the first day.
• They were not feeding the mother or giving her medicine on time.
• The bathrooms were disgusting.
• The nurse was mean to her and to her family; staff yelled at patients.
• The facility lost the mother's personal belongings.
• They lied about sending all belongings with her during transfer and directed the caller to the wrong EMS company.
• They sent her out with nothing but a hospital gown in the dead of winter.
• The reviewer states the mother died shortly after being cared for there.

Review

Alpha Manor evokes strongly polarized impressions. On one hand, there are residents who seem to flourish within its walls, and families who sing its praises. A friend who has been at Alpha Manor for more than three years is described as very happy, with staff who are wonderful to her and consistently attentive to her needs. In that viewpoint, the other residents appear well cared for, the aides come across as friendly, and the general atmosphere is one of cleanliness and calm. That narrative ends with a firm endorsement: a high recommendation for Alpha Manor, grounded in repeatedly positive experiences and steady, supportive care over a lengthy period.

In stark contrast to that bright picture, other accounts paint a darker reality. One review recounts an unsettling sequence in which a mother died under the facility's care after an accident, with the family accusing Alpha Manor of negligence. The claim goes further, alleging that staff stole three of the mother's brand-new outfits and urged a sibling to make a false claim so more items could be stolen. The reviewer pleads with others not to send loved ones to Alpha Manor, painting a scene of harm and exploitation rather than care and protection. This account casts a shadow over the facility's purported values, turning trust into a fragile and contested space.

Another distressed account describes a transfer from another nursing home as a catastrophe rather than a relief. The reviewer calls Alpha Manor "the absolute worst facility I have been to in my life," detailing a cascade of problems: careless staff, nurses fighting in the lobby, and a pattern of not feeding the patient or administering medications on time. The bathrooms are described as disgusting, and the staff - including a nurse - are said to treat patients and families with hostility and contempt, frequently yelling. Belongings reportedly went missing, and there is a troubling allegation that the facility lied about what was sent with the patient to the hospital, telling the family to contact the ambulance company. When the family tracked down the correct EMS service, they discovered nothing had actually been sent with the patient. Shoes, clothes, a coat, and other items were left behind, and the patient departed in a hospital gown during the winter - a detail that underscores a perceived lack of basic respect and concern for dignity. This account ends with a strong, almost visceral condemnation of the facility's treatment of both patients and their families.

Interspersed with these highly critical stories is a brief, somewhat ambivalent line that appears to drift in from a different voice. It reads as a modest, almost noncommittal remark: not particularly elaborate, suggesting that the company is around this nice, without committing to a strong positive or negative verdict. While this sentiment is far less dramatic than the others, it adds to the sense that experiences at Alpha Manor are not monolithic and can vary in tone and intensity.

Taken together, the reviews reveal a striking inconsistency in experiences at Alpha Manor. There is clear gratitude from some residents and their families for attentive care, friendly aides, and a seeming commitment to cleanliness and well-being. Yet there are equally powerful stories of neglect, mismanagement, and harm - allegations of missed medications and feeds, aggressive or unprofessional behavior from staff, destroyed or mishandled belongings, and even deception about what items accompany a patient when they are transferred or moved. The juxtaposition of these narratives suggests a facility where the quality of care may depend heavily on individual staff, shifts, and specific circumstances, rather than a uniform standard of practice.

For anyone evaluating Alpha Manor as a potential home for a loved one, these mixed experiences underscore the importance of careful due diligence. Potential residents and families should consider visiting multiple times at different hours, speaking directly with both staff and residents, and asking pointed questions about meal delivery, medication administration, incident reporting, and the handling of personal belongings. It would also be prudent to inquire about policies for loss or theft, the process for transfer of belongings during hospital or other transfers, and the steps the facility takes to ensure dignity and respect for residents - especially in moments of stress or illness. Checking external sources such as state inspections and resident advocacy reviews can also provide additional context to complement personal visits and conversations.

In the end, Alpha Manor appears to be a place of dual realities. For some, it delivers longtime companionship, reliable care, and a supportive environment that feels like home. For others, it represents a sequence of troubling experiences marked by neglect, conflict, and perceived disregard for residents' safety and dignity. The stark contrast between these perspectives invites caution and careful scrutiny, reminding families that a nursing facility's true character often unfolds in the details of daily operations, interpersonal dynamics, and the institution's response to crisis.

Located in Detroit, Michigan, this area offers a diverse range of amenities for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live. In close proximity, there are several places of worship such as St Charles Church and St John's Presbyterian Church, providing spiritual support and community engagement. For healthcare needs, there are numerous pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy as well as hospitals like Detroit Receiving Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital nearby. Parks like Belle Isle Park and William G. Milliken State Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are various dining options available including Atwater Block Brewery and Elwood Bar & Grill, along with cafes like The Bean Bar for social gatherings. Overall, this neighborhood presents a welcoming environment with essential services readily accessible for senior residents.

Places of Worship

• St Charles Church (0.3 miles)
• St John's Presbyterian Church (1.5 miles)
• Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church (6.8 miles)
• St Joan Of Arc Church (8.6 miles)
• Heritage Park Alliance Church (8.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Indian Village Market (0.8 miles)
• Shoppers Drug Mart (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Atwater Block Brewery (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Elwood Bar & Grill (2.4 miles)
• Detroit Athletic Club (2.4 miles)
• Subway (2.4 miles)
• The Skip (2.5 miles)
• Detroit Opera House (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Belle Isle Park (1.5 miles)
• Valade Park (1.5 miles)
• William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor (1.8 miles)
• Matthew C Patterson Park (3.8 miles)
• Windmill Pointe Park (4 miles)
• Palmer Park (7.3 miles)
• Lakewood Park (7.4 miles)

Physicians

• Childrens Hospital Of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit (2.3 miles)
• University Health Center (2.5 miles)
• Windsor Regional Hospital (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Detroit Receiving Hospital (2.4 miles)
• DMC Heart Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (2.6 miles)
• Harper University Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Hudson-Webber Cancer Research (2.6 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (4 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• The Bean Bar (2.8 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.3 miles)
• Tim Hortons (7.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (7.8 miles)
• Qahwah House (8.8 miles)