Brookdale Ithaca AL

Pros

• The staff at Brookdale Ithaca was very engaging and went above and beyond to make things work for families applying for VA benefits.
• Residents appreciated the lovely apartments and were able to bring their own furniture, creating a comfortable living space.
• Many reviewers praised the clean and respectful environment of the facility, highlighting its neatness and upkeep.
• The community offered a wide variety of food options and made accommodations for residents' special needs.
• Families expressed happiness with the care provided to their loved ones, noting improvements in health and social engagement.
• Multiple reviewers enjoyed activities like concerts and games, appreciating the active community life.
• Several individuals mentioned the friendliness of the staff, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere within the facility.
• Positive experiences with personal touches from staff members enhanced residents’ well-being, such as assistance with personal grooming.

Cons

• The facility experienced a high staff turnover, with two head nurses quitting during the residency.
• Personal care services were not provided as charged, with the resident receiving far fewer showers than promised.
• Concerns were raised about inadequate cleaning and hygiene, with reports of rooms smelling of urine and feces.
• There were significant complaints about the lack of adequate care, leading to serious health issues for the resident.
• The general manager demonstrated poor management skills and failed to address or return complaint calls from family members.
• Some staff members appeared grouchy and inattentive to residents' needs, affecting overall satisfaction with care.
• A pay-per-service policy left families unsure about costs, leading to potential unexpected charges while using the facility's services.

Review

Brookdale Ithaca has garnered a range of feedback from families and visitors, reflecting diverse experiences characterized by both commendation and criticism. Overall, many families have expressed high satisfaction with the facility's engagement, caretaking efforts, and community atmosphere. Numerous reviewers praised the staff for their dedication to providing personalized care and adapting to residents' evolving needs. This adaptability was especially noted when caring for individuals with declining health — a crucial factor in ensuring the comfort and safety of residents as they navigate various stages of their health journeys.

Several families highlighted Brookdale Ithaca's efforts in creating an inclusive and vibrant community through organized events and activities. Residents have the opportunity to participate in social gatherings that foster companionship and enjoyment. For instance, one reviewer noted fun events such as concerts and games like bocce ball, emphasizing how these activities enhance the quality of life for those living there. Families appreciated that staff members often go above and beyond to foster connections among residents. The notion that some staff have remained long-term at Brookdale was also reassuring for families who felt this contributed to a nurturing environment.

Cleanliness emerged as another significant aspect repeatedly applauded by visitors. Reviewers consistently mentioned how well-kept the facility is, noting its bright interiors, spacious common areas, both indoor and outdoor, which allow residents to find personal space without feeling confined. This attention to cleanliness contributes positively to the overall impression of care provided at Brookdale Ithaca.

However, not all feedback was positive; some families raised concerns about inadequate care delivery during their loved ones’ stays at Brookdale. One particularly troubling account described a lack of sufficient personal care services despite charges being imposed for them. The reviewer pointed out issues such as insufficient showering frequency leading to hygiene problems in their father-in-law’s room — an alarming situation that led them to seek higher-level care elsewhere after repeated complaints were ignored or dismissed by management.

On the other hand, reviews indicating a hospitable environment where kindness prevails often contrasted sharply with those critiques about staff turnover and management quality. Some visitors expressed concerns about disengaged staff members who did not attend adequately to their loved ones’ needs while still acknowledging that several caregivers exhibited genuine compassion towards residents. This discrepancy raises important questions about staffing practices at Brookdale Ithaca — whether challenges with turnover are affecting consistent resident care or if dedicated employees can mitigate these issues through exemplary service.

Additionally, there were instances where specific facilities offered advantages— like aesthetically pleasing apartments where residents could bring personal furniture— contributing positively to how families viewed their overall experience at Brookdale Ithaca. Nevertheless, fundamental issues regarding transparency around pricing policies caught some families off guard: discussions on additional charges per service created uncertainty around financial commitments when seeking care options.

In conclusion, Brooklyn Ithaca presents a mixed picture; it features compassionate caregivers committed to enhancing residents' lives through engaging activities while also struggling with inconsistencies in service provision linked largely due to management decisions or staffing challenges. Families seem divided between recognizing its merits against deeply concerning lapses in caregiving standards experienced during unfortunate circumstances within certain individual cases reflected upon here—a duality worth considering for prospective residents evaluating this community as they navigate critical decisions surrounding suitable assisted living alternatives.

This area of Ithaca, New York is a vibrant and bustling community with a variety of amenities to support an active lifestyle for seniors. The proximity to parks such as Taughannock Falls Overlook and Stewart Park provides beautiful outdoor spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. Additionally, there are several healthcare facilities nearby including Cayuga Medical Center and Northeast Pediatrics for easy access to medical care. A range of dining options can be found in the area, from casual cafes like Waffle Frolic to fine dining at Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar. For entertainment, residents can enjoy movies at Cinemapolis or grab a cup of coffee at one of the local cafes like Gimme Coffee. Overall, this area offers all the necessary conveniences for a comfortable and fulfilling senior living experience in Ithaca.

Parks

• Taughannock Falls Overlook (0.5 miles)
• Ithaca Dog Park (0.5 miles)
• Cass Park (0.9 miles)
• Stewart Park (1.3 miles)
• Conway Park (1.6 miles)
• Sunset Park (1.9 miles)
• F R Newman Arboretum Park (2 miles)

Physicians

• Cayuga Medical Center Radiation Medicine (0.7 miles)
• Center For Pain Management (0.7 miles)
• Radiology Associates of Ithaca (0.7 miles)
• Cayuga Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center (0.7 miles)
• Northeast Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (0.7 miles)
• Cayuga Heart Institute of CMA (0.8 miles)
• Ithaca Dialysis Clinic (0.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Cayuga Medical Center Maternal Child Health Unit (0.7 miles)
• Cayuga Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• Cayuga Hospital (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• The BoatYard Grill (1.3 miles)
• Purity Ice Cream Co. (1.5 miles)
• Ithaca Bakery (1.6 miles)
• Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar (1.8 miles)
• Lincoln Street Diner (1.8 miles)
• Maru Ramen (1.8 miles)
• Liquid State Brewing Company (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.5 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Tabernacle Baptist Church (1.7 miles)
• Temple Beth-El (2.1 miles)
• St Paul's Methodist Church (2.1 miles)
• First Congregational Church (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Gimme Coffee (1.8 miles)
• Gimme Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Waffle Frolic (2.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.4 miles)
• Allechant (2.6 miles)
• Gimme! Coffee (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kinney Drugs (1.9 miles)
• Wegmans (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Apothekara (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Green Street Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (2.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemapolis (2.2 miles)