The Echelon

Pros

• The patient care staff are wonderful and clearly care for residents.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and feels like home.
• Executive Director Chrissy is wonderful and goes above and beyond for residents and families.
• The team steps up for families during tough times.
• The staff are generous and go the extra mile to ensure residents are happy and comfortable.
• The building is beautiful with excellent amenities and a well-managed campus.
• Activity directors provide unique and fun experiences for residents.
• The staff across all roles show care and compassion, from the front desk to nursing and housekeeping.
• The environment is luxurious and sophisticated, with personalized services.
• The facility and Traditions are highly recommended by families.

Cons

• The administration, including Ryan Boulton, ignored repeated outreach about setting up a payment plan.
• The owner, Jeff Risner, allegedly lied about having an RN on staff; the campus reportedly had only a single night-shift LPN for the entire facility.
• They issued an eviction notice while the resident was in hospice with only two weeks left to live.
• Fees and monthly rent were raised nearly every quarter, pricing the family out of care.
• A resident fell in the hallway at night and the fall went unwitnessed due to poor staffing, with no clear explanation of how long she lay on the floor.
• A $900 per month charge was added once the resident could no longer rely on light nursing care.
• The administration discharged the resident while she was in hospice and did not assist in finding alternative care, despite knowing her condition.

Review

On the first anniversary of my mother's passing, I've decided to share a detailed, grounded account of our experience with the Echelon's memory care unit. My goal isn't to condemn the place or to promise that every family will have the same outcome, but to offer a candid, long-form perspective that might help others who are researching care options for a loved one. The memories tied to this chapter of our lives are powerful, and I acknowledge that memory care is a deeply personal journey - one that can be shaped as much by daily interactions as by the policies and procedures of a facility.

There were many bright spots in our time with the Echelon. The patient care staff stood out as truly caring people. They loved my mother, and that affection showed in their daily work - kindness that felt meaningful to her and to us as her family. The building itself was pleasant and well kept, with attention paid to landscaping and presentation that conveyed a sense of respect and quality. A donated Rolls-Royce sitting out front on occasion became a small, unusual symbol of the facility's distinctive character. All of this contributed to an atmosphere that felt caring and well-maintained, and in the moments when mom needed help, the staff's warmth and responsiveness were undeniable bright spots.

That said, the administrative side of the operation left a lasting impression that I can't overlook. We encountered financial pressures and communication gaps that created significant strain. We were sometimes late with payments, and we did our best to communicate promptly given the realities of selling a family home and managing high long-term care costs. At one point we attempted to set up a payment plan, but our outreach was not met with timely responsiveness. One staff member in particular, Ryan Boulton, is remembered as having ignored our repeated attempts to connect. Even when financial arrangements were part of the hardship, there should have been a path for dialogue and mutual planning, and that didn't materialize for us.

Even more disconcerting were concerns about the facility's pricing practices and memory care charging structure. We were told that once a loved one required more than light nursing assistance, an additional charge of around $900 per month would be added. For families already navigating significant medical and care expenses, these kinds of increases can swiftly alter feasibility. We also faced quarterly fee increases that eventually priced us out of continuing the care our mom needed. In a particularly painful episode, we received an eviction notice while mom was in hospice and had only a short window left to live. The administration at that time appeared to focus on discharging her rather than helping us explore alternatives or find a smoother transition during an incredibly sensitive period.

There were also trust-related concerns about staffing representation at the top. One owner, Jeff Risner, allegedly told us there would be at least one RN on staff within the memory care unit, a reassurance that mattered deeply to us. We later learned that the reality was different: the campus's nighttime coverage consisted of a single LPN serving the whole community, including the memory care and assisted living wings. That discrepancy between what we were told and what was actually in place feeds into a broader worry about whether the level of clinical oversight matched what families are led to believe is available.

From a safety standpoint, a particularly distressing moment arrived when my mother fell in the hallway late at night. Because staffing was stretched, this fall went unwitnessed, and we were left with questions about how long she remained on the floor before transport to the hospital. It's hard not to feel that such an event could have been mitigated with more robust nighttime coverage and better monitoring of residents who are vulnerable to falls.

Despite these troubling aspects, the Echelon's culture was clearly shaped by a strong, dedicated team that many families repeatedly praised. Executives and managers who were involved with residents' care earned genuine praise from families. Chrissy, the Executive Director, is highlighted repeatedly as someone who truly goes above and beyond - for residents and for families alike. The care team - Nurse Nathan, Ashley, Patrick, Beth, and others - was described as compassionate and tireless in their efforts to keep residents well cared for and feeling at home. The chaplain, Kathy, was singled out as a God-send for many, providing spiritual and emotional support during difficult times. In many accounts, the owners themselves came to visit families and residents, demonstrating a level of personal involvement that families appreciated during some of the toughest moments.

Other reviewers spoke to the facility's culture of warmth and community beyond the care team. Several described the campus as beautiful, clean, and welcoming, with staff who genuinely seemed to enjoy their jobs and to take pride in their roles. They spoke about daily activities and programs that gave residents meaningful opportunities to engage, form relationships, and feel a sense of belonging. A number of testimonials emphasized how the front desk and office personnel were approachable and supportive, reinforcing the impression that the Echelon aims to be a place where residents are treated with respect and dignity. The activities staff and program directors were described as energetic and committed to providing residents with varied, enjoyable experiences that foster connection and purpose.

The voices in these reviews converge on a core truth: the Echelon in Medina presents a mix of warmth, elegance, and genuine care, along with serious cautions about administration, communication, and financial policies. For families evaluating this option, the message is clear in both sets of experiences. You are likely to encounter a team that will love and care for your loved one and will rally around them during difficult periods. You may also encounter administrative practices and communication gaps that can feel misaligned with the level of care you expect or need, particularly when navigating complex financial decisions or times of crisis. The journey can include moments of grace - when staff steps up to support families in grief or crisis - and moments of frustration when organizational protections and supports seem lacking.

If you're considering the Echelon for a loved one, a prudent approach is essential: verify current staffing models and RN coverage, understand how memory care and nursing support are billed, and discuss payment plans and eviction policies openly before committing. Speak with multiple members of the team, from administration to nursing to activities staff, and seek candid explanations about how emergencies, falls, and changes in care levels are handled. The experiences shared by families in these reviews suggest that the Echelon can be a place of great comfort and community for residents, especially when leadership is engaged, communications are clear, and financial expectations are transparent. But they also underscore the importance of due diligence, ensuring that the care your loved one requires is consistently supported by the staffing, policies, and resources that make that care possible.

Located in the heart of Medina, Ohio, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. With several hospitals nearby, such as The Children's Center of Medina County and Medina General Hospital, residents have access to quality healthcare facilities. In addition, there are numerous pharmacies in close proximity for easy access to medications. Seniors can enjoy dining options at local restaurants like Jo Jo's Sports Bar & Grill and Los CantRitos, as well as relax in the beautiful parks such as Buckeye Woods Park and Fred Greenwood Park. Places of worship like St Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Grace Lutheran Church provide spiritual support to residents. With physicians offices like Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery Center and North Ohio Heart nearby, seniors can easily access medical care. Overall, this part of Medina offers a peaceful and convenient living environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Hospitals

• The Children's Center of Medina County (0.3 miles)
• Medina Medical Office Building (1.6 miles)
• Medina General Hospital (7 miles)
• Lodi Community Hospital (10.1 miles)
• Akron General Radiology (10.7 miles)
• Lodi Community Hospital (10.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.4 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Marc's Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (2.3 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (6 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Cool Beans Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (7 miles)
• Starbucks (12 miles)

Parks

• Buckeye Woods Park (0.5 miles)
• Fred Greenwood Park (1.9 miles)
• Hinkley Reservation (9.4 miles)
• Green Leaf Park (10.2 miles)
• Memorial Park (10.9 miles)
• Durling Park (11 miles)

Restaurants

• Jo Jo's Sports Bar & Grill (0.7 miles)
• Los CantRitos (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Bob Evans (3.8 miles)
• Blue Heron Brewery (4.1 miles)
• On Tap Medina (4.4 miles)
• Roadside Inn (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (1 miles)
• St Ambrose Endowment Foundation (7.4 miles)
• Seville Presbyterian Church (9.1 miles)
• Wadsworth Church of the Nazarene (10.2 miles)
• Grace Lutheran Church (11 miles)
• Ghent Christian Church (11 miles)
• First Church of God (11.1 miles)

Physicians

• Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery Center (2 miles)
• Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center (2 miles)
• Brio Neurobehavioral Consultants (2.9 miles)
• North Ohio Heart (3.1 miles)
• Akron Children's Hospital (3.1 miles)
• Digestive Disease Consultants (7.7 miles)
• Akron Children's Hospital Pediatrics (9.7 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark 383 Strongsville (11.6 miles)