The Retreat at Oxbow North

Pros

• The first few years at Oxbow were okay.
• The beautiful patio outdoors was a great space for residents to enjoy.
• The long-time employee who cooked meals was essential and did a great job.
• The owners initially marketed their facility with promises of organic meals and a bright environment.
• The Gordon Family is grateful for the one long-term employee who provided exemplary care.

Cons

• The care at Oxbow progressively worsened over the years.
• Our father's wallet and cell phone were stolen at the facility.
• The owners suggested finding a new residence for our father only six weeks before his death.
• The owners prioritized securing belongings and finding a new resident immediately after our father's death, without offering condolences or sympathy.
• Oxbow did not provide the promised boutique services, such as an on-site barbershop and coordinated holiday meals.
• Transportation and errands were frequently left for the families to handle.
• The outdoor space was converted into another bedroom, leaving little space for residents to enjoy.
• The second residential facility opened by the owners, Sugar Hollow, resulted in a decline in cleanliness and care.
• Our father received frozen food from Costco on weekends, including high-sodium options.
• Our parents' photos were posted on social media without permission and remain posted despite requests for removal.
• Our father's personal bathroom was frequently dirty, with soiled underwear left behind by the commode.
• Minimal assistance was provided on weekends, leading us to hire a contract nurse for our father's care.
• One of the caregivers caused fear in our father but was not removed from his care by the owners.
• The weekend caregiver was frequently seen without a face mask during the pandemic.
• The owners discouraged reporting hospice-related concerns to our father's doctor.
• Staff members did not greet us during our visits in the last weeks of our father's life.
• Only two hours after our father's death, one of the owners called to prioritize clearing out his room for a new resident instead of offering condolences or sympathy

Review

The Retreat at Oxbow, a residential facility in Albuquerque, had its fair share of promising marketing when it first opened its doors in 2012. The owners boasted about organic meals, happy residents, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with oven-fresh cookies. However, as time went on, the reality turned out to be far from what was advertised.

Initially, the experience at Oxbow seemed satisfactory for the Gordon family who placed their parents there following their mother's stroke. Although their father only required minimal assistance at the time, he was determined to live with his wife of 63 years. Unfortunately, after her passing in 2017 and as his dementia worsened, the care provided by Oxbow began to decline significantly.

One of the most concerning issues was the theft that occurred within the facility. Their father's wallet and cell phone mysteriously disappeared, with no formal investigation conducted by the owners. To ensure their father's safety during weekends when assistance was lacking, they were forced to hire a contract nurse. Their pleas to remove a caregiver who caused fear were ignored by the owners who refused to transfer them to their other facility.

Moreover, cleanliness and maintenance seemed to be ongoing problems at Oxbow. Outdoor furniture remained uncleaned unless families specifically requested it. Planters lacked flowers and dog feces lingered in the backyard for too long. Even more distressingly, frozen food from Costco was served regularly on weekends instead of providing balanced meals suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions.

As time passed, their father's deteriorating condition made moving him elsewhere an impossibility despite worsening care standards. The owners even suggested finding him a new residence approximately six weeks before his death—an insensitive proposition considering his fragile state and loyalty as a long-term resident.

Tragically, only two hours after their father passed away, one of the owners called demanding immediate clearance of his room in order to find another resident willing to pay exorbitant fees. This heartless request, following the lack of condolences or sympathy from the owners, left the Gordon family deeply regretting their decision to place their parents at Oxbow.

It is important to note that amidst all the disappointment, there was one long-term employee who provided exemplary care and support. However, this single bright spot did little to alleviate the overwhelming negatives experienced by the Gordon family during their time at The Retreat at Oxbow.

In conclusion, The Retreat at Oxbow failed to deliver on its promises made during its early marketing stages. Instead of the advertised boutique services and cheerful environment, residents and their families encountered thefts, cleanliness issues, subpar meals, and an uncaring attitude from the owners. It is clear that placing trust in this facility was a grave mistake for the Gordon family—a decision filled with regret and sorrow.

This part of Albuquerque, New Mexico offers a variety of amenities and conveniences that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several pharmacies located within a few miles, access to healthcare services is readily available. In addition, there are multiple dining options ranging from fast food to fine dining, providing plenty of choices for meals out or takeout. The proximity to parks such as Petroglyph National Monument allows for outdoor recreational activities and opportunities for enjoying nature. There are also medical professionals nearby, including physicians and therapy services, ensuring that healthcare needs can be easily met. Transportation options are also accessible with the Alvarado Transportation Center and Amtrak & Greyhound Station located within a short distance. Overall, this area offers a mix of essential services, entertainment options, and natural attractions that may make it an appealing choice for senior living in Albuquerque.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.3 miles)
• Flix Brewhouse (2.1 miles)
• Campo (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Wendy's (3.2 miles)
• Golden Pride BBQ Chicken & Ribs (3.4 miles)
• Casa Rondena Winery (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Medicine Chest (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)

Parks

• Petroglyph National Monument (0.8 miles)
• Montecito Estates Park (2.9 miles)
• Graves Park (3.1 miles)
• Roosevelt Park (5.4 miles)

Physicians

• Keith Basham, PA (1.1 miles)
• Women's Specialists of New Mexico (2 miles)
• Smiles For Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics Westside (3.7 miles)
• Duke City Recovery Toolbox (4.1 miles)
• Dogwood Therapy Service (4.1 miles)
• Medicine At Downtown (4.2 miles)
• Southwest Medical Associates (4.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Satellite Coffee (5.7 miles)
• Olympia Cafe (5.7 miles)
• Satellite Coffee (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Comadre A Comadre (3.2 miles)
• Lovelace Medical Center - Downtown (4.6 miles)
• Heart Hospital of New Mexico (4.7 miles)
• UNM Cancer Reseach and Treatment Center (4.7 miles)
• Carrie Tingley Childrens Hospital (4.9 miles)
• Presbyterian (5.1 miles)
• Unm Psychiatric Center (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Alvarado Transportation Center (4.5 miles)
• Amtrak & Greyhound Station (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint George Greek Orthodox Church (4.9 miles)
• Faith Chapel (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Cinema UA Cottonwood Stadium 16 (5.2 miles)