The Oaks at Cascade

Pros

• The staff at Heather Hills Care Center is friendly and approachable.
• The care center offers planned activities for residents, providing opportunities for engagement.
• There is a potential for improvement in resident participation with some encouragement and support.
• Residents have access to support from aides, which can help with daily tasks, even if assistance may sometimes be delayed.
• The facility aims to maintain communication regarding billing and paperwork, though there are areas that need attention.

Cons

• The care center staff physically abused and mistreated patients, handling them roughly and disrespectfully.
• Responses to call buttons were excessively delayed, leading to patients being unable to receive timely assistance.
• Patients experienced humiliation, as aides laughed at them while they were in vulnerable situations.
• The facility's management was perceived as neglectful and uncaring towards patient well-being.
• There seems to be a lack of enforcement regarding hygiene practices, resulting in health concerns for residents who refuse to bathe.
• Staff did not sufficiently encourage participation in planned activities, potentially impacting residents' engagement and enjoyment.
• Billing issues arose due to untimely receipt of invoices and problems with Medicaid recertification paperwork being mishandled or returned.

Review

The care received by residents at Heather Hills Care Center has raised significant concerns, as reflected in two contrasting reviews from family members of patients. Both accounts underscore various issues related to the center's treatment of their loved ones, highlighting instances of neglect and inappropriate behavior from staff members, while also pointing out a lack of encouragement for resident participation in activities.

One troubling account describes severe mistreatment experienced by a mother during her stay at Heather Hills. According to the reviewer, the facility failed egregiously in its duty to care for patients with dignity and respect. They recounted how their mother, who had recently undergone hip surgery, was physically manhandled by aides who appeared unprofessional and dismissive of her well-being. The distressing incident where two aides allegedly slammed her onto the toilet raises serious questions about staff training and oversight. Rather than offering compassionate support during a vulnerable moment, these aides reportedly laughed mockingly among themselves while attending to her—an action that is not only disrespectful but also highlights a critical lack of empathy within the team.

In addition to physical abuse, significant lapses in timely assistance were reported. The reviewer stated that their mother frequently soiled herself due to delays in response time when she called for help using her button. Instead of receiving prompt attention—the very core of what caregiving should encompass—they experienced waits lasting up to 45 minutes for basic bathroom assistance. This not only contributed to unnecessary discomfort but also presents potential health hazards such as skin infections or other medical complications stemming from neglect.

In stark contrast, another review focuses on a seemingly friendlier environment but still reveals unsettling deficiencies in care quality and proactive engagement with residents. The family member expressed concern over their father's reluctance to bathe and noted that the staff did not seem inclined to encourage him towards personal hygiene habits essential for health. This raises a fundamental question regarding the responsibilities caregivers have—not just toward physical needs but also promoting personal dignity through basic self-care routines.

Moreover, this second review pointed out that the facility seems inadequate at engaging residents in planned activities—an important component for maintaining mental well-being among older adults. While the father was content remaining alone in his room, it was noted that with sufficient encouragement from staff towards participating in social activities designed for residents' enjoyment, he could likely benefit from these interactions significantly. Active participation can enhance quality of life by combating feelings of isolation and depression commonly experienced among those residing in care facilities.

Billing issues were another area cited as problematic by this reviewer; they highlighted instances where bills were not received promptly, leading to potential disruptions or confusion regarding payments owed by families caring for loved ones in facilities like Heather Hills. Additionally, complications arose surrounding Medicaid recertification processes when paperwork was mishandled—returned without proper processing—which ultimately delayed necessary benefits being forwarded back to state agencies.

Taken together, these reviews paint a concerning picture about life at Heather Hills Care Center—from allegations of physical abuse and neglect affecting patient dignity and health needs to administrative inefficiencies creating stress for families dealing with billing matters and compliance with healthcare regulations. These testimonies may serve as crucial feedback prompting necessary evaluations and improvements within the institution aimed at ensuring safety, respectfulness, transparent communication channels between staff members and families, along with an overall commitment to fostering an environment conducive to healing and well-being for all residents.

Physicians

• Grand Rapids Allergy (0.3 miles)
• Advanced Plasic Surgery (0.4 miles)
• Metro Health (0.4 miles)
• Grand Rapids OB/GYN (0.5 miles)
• Corporate Occupational Health (0.6 miles)
• Allergy & Asthma Care Of Western Michigan (0.6 miles)
• Gastroenterology Specialists PC (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Forest Hills Foods (0.4 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• D&W Fresh Market (2.9 miles)
• Mix (3 miles)
• D&W Fresh Market (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (0.8 miles)
• Watermark Country Club (1.4 miles)
• Fuji Buffet & Grill (2 miles)
• Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant (2 miles)
• Cantina Mexican Restaurant (2 miles)
• Osaka (2.1 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Keystone Community Church (1.1 miles)
• Church of the Servant (1.2 miles)
• St Robert Of Newminster Parish (2.6 miles)
• Our Daily Bread Ministries (2.7 miles)
• Christ Church-Pca (2.9 miles)
• Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church (3.3 miles)
• Temple Emanuel (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Kitchen 67 (4 miles)

Theaters

• Phoenix Theaters (2.4 miles)
• Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (3 miles)
• Chesebro Park (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Spectrum Health (3.2 miles)
• Blodgett Hospital (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) (4.2 miles)
• Avflight (4.3 miles)