Encore at Maplewood

Pros

• The residents at Encore at Maplewood enjoy having their own apartments and appreciate the care provided by the staff, including medication management and housekeeping services.
• Families have noted the kindness and professionalism of the staff, highlighting their passion for caring for the residents.
• Encore offers delicious meals in a pleasant dining environment, contributing to a positive living experience for residents.
• The community provides a variety of daily activities that help residents form friendships and enhance their quality of life.
• Many families find comfort in the small, family-like atmosphere of Bickford Maplewood, where residents feel cared for and connected to both staff and fellow residents.
• Staff members are often described as compassionate and willing to go above and beyond to meet residents' needs.
• Residents appreciate the beautiful setting of Bickford Maplewood, situated in a tranquil environment with scenic views that enhance their living experience.

Cons

• The community was not responsive to the loved one and failed to meet his needs at all.
• Staff occasionally took several minutes or did not respond at all to call for assistance.
• Communication with the community was poor, often taking up to 30 days for a response.
• The facility did not provide itemized billing and could not explain costs clearly.
• There were instances of staff being on their cell phones instead of attending to residents.
• One resident was sent back to the hospital within 24 hours due to the facility's inability to handle her behavior.
• A family member reported finding pills on the floor in an apartment, raising concerns about care quality.
• The negative environment included issues like bad odors and uncleanliness, with litter scattered in hallways.
• A visitor reported a lack of staff presence during their tour, leading them to feel neglected and disregarded.
• Complaints about management being bullheaded and misinforming families regarding services were raised repeatedly.

Review

The experiences shared by families regarding Encore at Maplewood and Bickford of Maplewood offer a complex picture of the senior living facilities available to their loved ones. While many express satisfaction with specific aspects, crucial underlying issues persist that need addressing.

Starting with Encore at Maplewood, numerous reviewers highlight the positive aspects of the facility. Several families share that their loved ones enjoy having their own apartments, appreciate not having to handle daily chores like medication management or cleaning, and show enthusiasm for dining experiences in a spacious and inviting environment. Many residents form friendships and eagerly participate in activities. The availability of caring staff who take the time to attend to resident's needs has been noted as a significant benefit. One reviewer mentioned the excellent performance of a particular activity director, emphasizing her impact on resident morale and overall experience. For those seeking assisted living rather than memory care services, Encore appears to be a suitable choice according to some testimonies.

However, this optimistic outlook is tempered by considerable feedback regarding the limitations and responsiveness of staff at Encore. Some families reported instances where staff did not check on residents promptly after alarms were triggered for assistance, highlighting potential lapses in care that could be concerning for individuals requiring closer supervision. Families experienced difficulty reaching management when they had concerns or questions about billing practices and found communication channels lacking clarity and efficiency. One user’s report indicated miscommunications regarding VA prescriptions that led to unexpected charges—underscoring ambiguity in service explanations during initial tours.

On the other hand, Bickford of Maplewood has received mixed reviews too. Many visitors praised the community's warm atmosphere, underlining how it fosters family-like relationships between staff, residents, and visitors alike. Residents often feel engaged due to interactive programming offered by social coordinators who are deeply invested in fostering connections within the community. Additionally, several testimonials mention personal touches such as scenic views from rooms that add comfort to residents' living environments.

Conversely, substantial discontent surfaces among families dealing with more serious care issues at Bickford. Reviewers voiced grievances about cleanliness and overall maintenance within the facility—an alarming consideration for places meant to provide safety and care for vulnerable populations. Contrasted with positive impressions from tours, accounts detailing neglectful behavior toward patients paint an unsettling picture of standards being compromised amidst staffing shortages that many facilities currently face due to broader employment issues affecting senior care providers nationwide.

Some families have taken time-critical decisions based on immediate medical needs only to face frustrations upon arrival at these communities when promised levels of care couldn't be delivered effectively or compassionately enough—often leading them back into hospital settings after unsuccessful transitions into residential life. This speaks volumes about inadequacies in proper assessment during initial evaluations or misleading information during sales pitches when showcasing what was supposed to be ideal environments suited for memory-loss patients.

In conclusion, while both Encore at Maplewood and Bickford present appealing qualities such as beautiful settings and committed staff members dedicated to improving residents' lives when things go well—the glaring red flags surrounding responsiveness alongside reliability cannot be ignored if prospective families seek reassurance before entrusting loved ones' health and happiness into these communal homes. The desire for improvement is palpable; further transparency in operations would likely foster greater confidence among families weighing options within this challenging but necessary journey toward finding appropriate eldercare solutions.

This area of Maplewood, Minnesota offers convenient access to a variety of essential services and amenities for seniors. With several healthcare facilities nearby including clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies, residents can easily access medical care. In addition, there are parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation in close proximity. For dining options, there are a number of restaurants ranging from fast food to sit-down establishments offering a variety of cuisines. Places of worship are also nearby for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. The area is well-connected with transportation options available for easy travel. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of convenience and opportunities for seniors looking to reside in Maplewood.

Physicians

• HealthPartners Clinic (0.4 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (0.5 miles)
• Retina Center (1 miles)
• Page Graydon T MD (1.3 miles)
• Jacobs Carol RN (1.3 miles)
• Northern Lights Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (2.9 miles)
• Victhom Human Bionics (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Harvest Park (0.5 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (0.9 miles)
• Flicek Park (1.2 miles)
• Casey Lake Park (1.3 miles)
• Legacy Pines Park (1.6 miles)
• Rotary Park (1.7 miles)
• Playcrest Park (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• White Castle (1.5 miles)
• Golden Corral (1.8 miles)
• Osaka Sushi and Hibachi (1.8 miles)
• The Dog House Bar and Grill (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (1.3 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (4.8 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (5.3 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (5.9 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Jerome Elementary School (2.6 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (3.8 miles)
• St Mary of the Lake Church (5.2 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (5.7 miles)
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• Oakdale Cinema Oakdale, Mn (3.4 miles)
• AMC Rosedale 14 (6.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (5 miles)