Symphony Manor at Lancaster

Pros

• The staff at the facility is described as very kind and friendly, providing excellent care to residents.
• The food served at the location is noted to be good and well-liked by residents.
• The cleanliness of the facilities is consistently praised, with well-maintained interiors.
• Management, including Mary Ellen and Joe, are recognized for their attentive and supportive approach to resident care.
• St. Elizabeth's Home offers a familiar environment for residents, allowing them to stay in their hometown and remain connected to their community.
• The facility accommodates residents' needs compassionately, such as allowing a long-term resident to keep her private room despite financial changes.
• The presence of a chapel and outdoor space provides opportunities for spiritual engagement and fresh air for residents.

Cons

• Symphony Manor has a large turnover of staff and lacks any medical personnel.
• The building is very old, and although the interior is clean, maintenance issues remain unresolved, such as an unfixed dresser.
• St. Elizabeth's Home has small and aging rooms that have not been maintained or painted in over a decade.
• The facility lacks adequate shower facilities, forcing residents to go down the hall for bathing.
• The food at St. Elizabeth's Home is described as horrible by residents, leading to dissatisfaction with meal options.
• Activities offered at St. Elizabeth's Home are deemed unengaging and too simplistic for an intelligent resident, resulting in boredom.

Review

Assisted living facilities offer a critical range of services and support for seniors, often playing a vital role in their well-being. Reviews from families of residents at various facilities present a mixed yet insightful perspective on these environments, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses inherent in assisted living.

One standout facility is praised for its exceptional staff and quality of care. A family member reported that her father has been residing there for two years and has consistently received respectful and compassionate treatment from both front-line employees and upper management, specifically mentioning Mary Ellen and the new owner, Joe. The review notes the considerable challenges associated with running an assisted living facility but commends this team for their dedication to service excellence. The food offered was also described as good, and cleanliness was emphasized, suggesting a well-maintained environment conducive to the comfort of the residents.

In stark contrast is another facility where a family member expressed concerns over certain practices that they found objectionable. Their son currently lives at Symphony Manor, which suffers from high staff turnover rates—a significant issue considering the importance of continuity in caregiving relationships. They noted that while friendly interactions with staff are commonplace, there are no medical personnel on-site to address potential health issues or emergencies. The building's age raised concerns about upkeep; however, reviews pointed out that the interior remains clean despite its age. Maintenance issues were also highlighted—specifically regarding their son’s dresser which had not been repaired after repeated requests. On a more positive note, he enjoys dining experiences there and finds the food satisfactory.

Further complicating the landscape are reviews from St. Elizabeth’s Home, where a resident has spent over a decade. This facility's choice was heavily influenced by its location in her hometown, allowing her mother to stay connected with familiar surroundings despite suffering from short-term memory loss. Financial considerations played a crucial role too; St. Elizabeth’s is comparatively affordable compared to other options available in the area. Its Catholic environment provides spiritual benefits through access to a chapel and enclosed grounds for outdoor activities—nice features appreciated by families looking to maintain some normalcy in their loved ones’ lives.

However, comfort comes with trade-offs at St. Elizabeth’s Home as well: rooms are described as small, old-fashioned, and neglected due to lack of funds for maintenance; one room reportedly had gone a full decade without painting. Shared bathroom facilities also proved inconvenient since there is only one shower accessible by multiple residents—a situation not ideal for elderly individuals needing regular hygiene assistance. Despite these drawbacks, when financial resources dwindled for this resident's mother—the facility made accommodations by allowing her to continue occupying her private room instead of moving into shared quarters.

The narrative takes another turn when discussing food quality within St. Elizabeth’s Home; reports indicate dissatisfaction among residents regarding meal offerings—a sentiment echoed by one resident describing the food as "horrible." Additionally, recreational activities seem uninspiring according to this 92-year-old resident who considers games like bingo too juvenile given her spirited intellectual nature and desire for stimulating engagement—further contributing to feelings of boredom within an otherwise supportive community.

Despite variations across different facilities—from commendable standards at one residence showcasing excellent care down to disheartening deficiencies like outdated environments or inadequate medical personnel—the irreplaceable aspect remains: caring staff making efforts toward improving life experiences for their elderly charges whenever possible reigns paramount across all situations reviewed here. Families place immense value on support systems available around those they love most during such pivotal phases of life while grappling with complexities surrounding aging care options available today.

Located in Lancaster, New York, this area offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful community. With several pharmacies like Rite Aid and Walgreens nearby, access to healthcare and medications is convenient. There are also beautiful parks such as Como Lake Park and Keysa Town Park for leisurely walks or picnics. Nearby restaurants like Frank's Restaurant and Chick-Fil-A provide options for dining out, while cafes like Starbucks offer cozy spots for coffee outings. For medical needs, there are reputable physicians like Dr. Nagy & Dr. Pizzuto and hospitals such as Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital within a short drive. Additionally, there are places of worship like Queen of Heaven Church Rectory Office for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this part of Lancaster provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Wegmans (2.2 miles)
• Wegmans (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Top's Markets (4.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Como Lake Park (0.7 miles)
• Keysa Town Park (0.8 miles)
• Westwood Park (2.5 miles)
• Island Park (6.1 miles)
• Elma Meadows County Park (6.1 miles)
• Glen Park (6.1 miles)
• South Long Park (6.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Frank's Restaurant (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.2 miles)
• Green Acres Ice Cream (2.5 miles)
• Mayer Bros Cider Mill (3.4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.1 miles)
• Subway (4.5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak - Buffalo, NY Depew Station (BUF) (3.3 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Co. (4.3 miles)
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) (4.3 miles)
• TSA Pre-️Lane (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Wegmans Food Markets (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.7 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (7.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Transit Center & IMAX (4.2 miles)
• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (5.2 miles)

Physicians

• Dr. Nagy & Dr. Pizzuto (4.6 miles)
• Western New York Dermatology (4.9 miles)
• Windsong Radiology Group (5.3 miles)
• Dr David J. Altman, MD (5.6 miles)
• Town & Village Pediatrics (5.7 miles)
• Brain and Spine Center (6.3 miles)
• Western New York Ear Nose and Throat (7.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Queen of Heaven Church Rectory Office (6.2 miles)
• Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church & Diocesan Shrine (6.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (7.4 miles)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban NICU (7.5 miles)
• Mercy Hospital Operating Room (8.3 miles)