Albany Center

Pros

• The initial experience at this community was great, with a friendly atmosphere and accessible executive director.
• The price of this community attracted the reviewers initially.
• The residents appreciate the presence of an on-site beautician.
• The presence of housekeeping services, although lacking in efficiency, is appreciated by some residents.
• Despite multiple administration changes, there are still staff members who genuinely care about the residents' well-being.
• The reviewer's loved one enjoys certain aspects of the community and has formed connections with staff members.
• Although there have been changes due to new ownership, not all staff changes are disliked by residents.

Cons

• There have been multiple occasions where the staff provided the wrong medicine to residents, including the reviewer's parents.
• The rooms are not cleaned regularly, causing a lack of hygiene.
• Plasticware is provided instead of silverware during meal times, indicating a lack of attention to detail and resident comfort.
• The facility had a broken heater for almost a week during cold months, showing a lack of urgency in resolving important issues.
• Laundry is not picked up on scheduled dates, leading to inconvenience for residents.
• Staffing on weekends is insufficient, with only one nurse managing two floors.
• Clothes go missing upon being returned after laundry service.
• The presence of an onsite beautician is not consistently maintained, as families have to bring their parents out themselves.
• Housekeeping services are inadequate and residents have to ask for basic necessities.
• With three administration changes in a 6-month period, there seems to be little concern for the well-being of residents and more focus on profit-making by taking their money and doing the bare minimum required.
• The recent staff changes made by the new ownership has led to unhappiness among residents, indicating potential issues with management stability and staff turnover.

Review

When choosing a community for loved ones, pricing can often take precedence, leading families to select options that may not meet their expectations in terms of care and quality. This trend is highlighted by a family?s experience at a particular community, which initially appeared to offer an attractive financial solution. However, the reality of life within this facility has raised significant concerns regarding the well-being and care of its residents, driven primarily by high staff turnover and inadequate management practices.

One of the most alarming issues reported by residents? families is the frequent mismanagement of medication. On several occasions, staff members have been observed providing incorrect medications not only to one resident but across multiple individuals within the facility. Such lapses in critical healthcare services raise serious questions about the overall competency and training of nursing staff, underlining an urgent need for improvements in oversight and accountability.

Another significant area where this community falls short is in basic cleanliness and sanitation standards. Families have pointed out that rooms are not cleaned routinely, compromising both hygiene and comfort for residents. In addition to subpar cleaning services, meal times have devolved into another troubling aspect of care; residents are served food with plasticware rather than silverware, detracting from the dining experience that many expect in assisted living environments. These oversights contribute to an atmosphere that feels more transactional than caring.

The threats posed by inadequate maintenance are equally concerning. During colder months, essential heating systems were reported as broken without sufficient urgency shown by management to address these issues promptly?some residents endured uncomfortable temperatures for nearly a week before any action was taken. Such negligence extends beyond just heating; scheduled laundry pickups have also been inconsistent, leaving families scrambling to manage this necessary task themselves amidst ongoing frustrations with service reliability.

Perhaps most distressing is the lack of staffing during weekends when care is often at its most vulnerable point. Reports indicate that on weekends there might be as few as one nurse managing two entire floors of residents?a situation that inevitably leads to overlooked needs and insufficient attention paid to health concerns during critical periods when family members cannot be present.

While some families report positive experiences?appreciating aspects like a friendly atmosphere or accessibility to management?the enjoyment fades quickly amid complaints about ongoing staff changes after recent ownership transitions. Residents find solace in personal connections but remain anxious over fluctuating personnel who may adversely affect continuity and quality of care provided daily. The hope among families remains that new leadership will bring much-needed stability and improvement?but many express deep skepticism based on their current experiences.

In conclusion, while affordability can be tempting when selecting an assisted living community, it appears clear that certain sacrifices made in pursuit of cost-saving measures may profoundly affect resident satisfaction and safety. The myriad issues surrounding medication management, cleanliness standards, staffing shortages, maintenance neglects, and mismatched expectations illustrate challenges facing this community?a cautionary tale for anyone navigating similar decisions regarding elder care facilities.shopping around might just reveal better options that prioritize both cost-effectiveness and compassionate caregiving.

Delmar, New York, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple restaurants such as Tastee Freez, Tool's Restaurant, and O'Slattery's Irish Restaurant & Pub within close proximity, there are plenty of dining options to explore. Additionally, there are several healthcare providers nearby including Community Care Delmar and Capital District Dermatology PC for medical needs. For pharmaceutical needs, CVS Pharmacy and College Parkside Pharmacy are easily accessible. Those seeking spiritual fulfillment can visit Bethlehem Lutheran Church or New Covenant Presbyterian Church. The area also boasts scenic parks like Washington Park and North Bethlehem Park for leisurely strolls or relaxation. Transportation options are readily available with the Amtrak station and CDTA bus stop close by for easy travel around the area. Overall, Delmar provides a well-rounded living environment with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors to enjoy.

Restaurants

• Tastee Freez (0.4 miles)
• Tool's Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Nicole's Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• O'Slattery's Irish Restaurant & Pub (1.3 miles)
• The Real McCoy Beer Co. (1.4 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.5 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.5 miles)

Physicians

• Community Care Delmar (0.9 miles)
• Stram Center for Intergrative Medicine (1.5 miles)
• Mark Lukowitsky MD - Albany Medical Center Neurology Group (1.8 miles)
• Capital District Dermatology PC (1.9 miles)
• Developmental Pediatrics (2 miles)
• Kimble David M MD (2.1 miles)
• Albany Obstetrics and Gynecology (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• CVS Albany (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• College Parkside Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Stacks Espresso Bar (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Albany Medical Center Endocrinology (1.9 miles)
• Albany Medical Center South Clinical Campus - Patient Billing Services, Human Resources (1.9 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Pediatrics Developmental/Behavioral (2 miles)
• St Peter's Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Cancer Care Center (2.2 miles)
• St Peter's Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Albany Medical Center Hemophilia And Von Willebrand S Disease Tr (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bethlehem Lutheran Church (2.4 miles)
• New Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Washington Park (2.6 miles)
• North Bethlehem Park (3.3 miles)
• Jennings Landing (3.3 miles)
• Collins Circle (4.4 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (3.3 miles)
• CDTA Bus Stop (3.5 miles)