The Bernardine

Pros

• The Bernardine offers spacious and clean rooms with large windows that let in natural light.
• Residents have access to a variety of activities, including bingo and arts and crafts.
• The dining area is well-maintained, and residents have enjoyed the food provided at the facility.
• Staff members are described as conscientious and thorough in their care.
• The facility is conveniently located near family members and other amenities, making it easy for visits and support.
• The application process was helpful, with staff providing a checklist to ensure everything was in order.
• Residents benefit from direct access to medical assistance and regular monitoring by staff.
• The outdoor areas are safe and inviting, allowing residents to relax outside when they choose.

Cons

• The hallways stink of urine, and the staff is slow to replace light bulbs.
• The quality of meals is terrible, leading some residents to stop eating.
• Staff members are incompetent and disrespectful towards residents, treating them as if they have no rights to their care.
• Medication errors occur frequently, resulting in missed doctor appointments and incorrect dosages.
• The turnover rate for staff is horrendous, affecting the consistency of care provided.
• Reports of rudeness from aides persist, making it challenging for residents to get proper assistance.
• Elevators are slow and insufficient for the number of floors, creating significant wait times that could pose safety risks during emergencies.
• Residents do not receive timely help for essential needs like meals or personal care tasks such as showers.

Review

The Bernardine: A Mixed Bag of Experiences in Assisted Living

The Bernardine, an assisted living facility, presents a complex picture through the experiences shared by families and residents alike. While some praise the location's proximity to family and commend its spacious accommodations, others express deep dissatisfaction with the quality of care and services provided. Reviews reflect a wide range of sentiments that highlight both positive aspects and significant concerns about the facility.

Many reviewers have noted the spaciousness and cleanliness of individual rooms within The Bernardine. Residents appreciate features such as pull cords for emergencies, easy access to medical assistance, and well-organized dining facilities. One reviewer remarked positively on the dining area’s ambiance, describing it as clean and pleasant while emphasizing that their loved one enjoyed the meals offered at a nearby rehab unit prior to moving in. Tour guides like Max were also lauded for their thoroughness and kindness during initial visits, leaving potential residents hopeful about what The Bernardine could offer.

However, contrasting these positive remarks are alarming complaints regarding cleanliness and staff professionalism. Multiple reviews mention unpleasant odors in common areas—specifically noting that hallways reeked of urine. This raises serious concerns about hygiene standards at the facility. Furthermore, disgruntled family members reported severe issues related to medication management, stating that incorrect dosages were frequently administered or that medications were overlooked entirely. Such negligence is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations who depend on accurate medication schedules for their health.

Staff conduct has also come under scrutiny in several testimonials. Families recounted instances where aides behaved rudely or dismissively toward residents. One account drew attention to an incident involving a resident who asked for food but went without dinner due to inadequate response from staff—a particularly distressing oversight given that this individual had diabetes. Reports of poor communication with case management compounded feelings of dissatisfaction; frustrated families expressed difficulty getting timely responses or resolutions to problems they raised concerning their loved ones' care.

In terms of accessibility within The Bernardine itself, many reviews criticized the limited number of elevators servicing a 20-floor building. Residents report experiencing lengthy waits—sometimes up to 10 minutes—especially when multiple occupants needed assistance simultaneously or when moving into new units generated additional elevator demand. This logistical hurdle not only causes frustration but poses serious safety risks should an emergency arise.

Despite these negative facets, there remain individuals who endorse The Bernardine based on personal experiences with relatives who received adequate care over extended periods. Some cited favorable interactions with attentive staff members while acknowledging minor inconveniences such as occasional delays in attending to daily needs like showering or small errands. Overall satisfaction appears heavily influenced by specific staff interactions and whether residents receive consistent support tailored to meet individual needs.

Ultimately, The Bernardine serves as an encapsulation of modern assisted living complexities—a blend of commendable facilities alongside critical shortcomings in care delivery and operational efficacy. While some families found refuge here for their loved ones amidst financial constraints or logistical challenges associated with placement decisions, others have left far less enthused about their experience—vowing never again to entrust their family members’ well-being under its roof. As prospective residents consider options at The Bernardine, they must weigh each element carefully against personal priorities related to comfort, care quality, and community support before making a final decision.

Restaurants

• Pfohl's Tavern (0.5 miles)
• Gannon's Ice Cream (0.8 miles)
• Luigi's Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)
• Eleven Waters (2.6 miles)
• John H Mulroy Civic Center (2.6 miles)
• Strong Hearts Cafe (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kinney Drugs (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (2 miles)
• Syracuse Community Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Gifford & West Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Wegmans (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Dr Anne Barash, MD (0.7 miles)
• Orthopedics East (0.7 miles)
• Upstate University Hospital Community Campus (1.4 miles)
• DeRoberts Plastic Surgery (1.5 miles)
• The Vision Center (1.9 miles)
• Haxton Frances G MD (2.1 miles)
• Syracuse Community Health Center Incorporated, Infectious Diseases Department (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Specialists One Day Surgery (0.8 miles)
• Upstate Golisano After Hours Care (1.4 miles)
• Upstate University Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Syracuse VA Medical Center (2 miles)
• Suny Upstate Medical University University Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Crouse Promptcare (2.2 miles)
• Crouse Hospital: Human Resources (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque (1.7 miles)
• Apostolic Church (3.1 miles)
• St Elias Orthodox Church (3.3 miles)
• May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society (3.6 miles)
• Holy Cross Church (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• Centro Transit Hub (2.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Clark Reservation State Park (2.5 miles)
• Clinton Square (3 miles)
• Burnet Park (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Kubal (2.7 miles)
• Original Grain (2.8 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (3.8 miles)