Elmwood at the Shawhan

Pros

• The new facility provided a significantly better experience for the resident, showcasing an improvement in care and support compared to the previous location.
• The community toured appeared to be a great place with positive attributes that could benefit residents.
• The new environment has positively impacted the resident’s quality of life, highlighting the importance of finding the right care facility.

Cons

• The administration failed to provide clear answers regarding Medicaid acceptance despite multiple inquiries.
• There was a lack of communication from the facility owner, as no return phone calls were made in response to voicemails.
• Residents experienced inadequate assistance with personal care, such as showers and hair washing.
• There were persistent issues with laundry services and nursing quality.
• The facility offered limited structured activities, failing to engage residents mentally.
• Frequent observations revealed residents, including their Mom, often remained in bed for long periods without stimulation or support.

Review

When it comes to selecting a care facility for a loved one, the decision can be fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. One family’s experience serves as a cautionary tale that underscores the importance of clear communication and accountability from care providers. The family in question thought they had chosen the best facility for their mother, only to find themselves deeply disappointed by multiple aspects of care that fell short of expectations.

From the outset, the family's concerns regarding financial transparency were significant. On admission day, they posed a critical question about what would happen if their mother ran out of money during her stay. Specifically, they wanted to know if the facility accepted Medicaid—a crucial detail for families planning long-term care arrangements. Despite asking this important question six times, administration failed to provide any meaningful answer either verbally or via follow-up communication. This lack of responsiveness not only left the family feeling unsettled but also highlighted a significant gap in customer service that threatened their trust in the facility’s management.

The issues did not end there; throughout their mother’s year-and-eight-month stay, numerous problems compounded their frustrations. Assistance with basic daily activities proved inadequate. The family observed consistent difficulties with helping their mother take showers and have her hair washed—services that should have been standard for residents requiring assistance due to mobility challenges or age-related deficits. Additionally, tasks like laundry became sources of stress rather than support, further diminishing their mother's quality of life while under care.

Compounding these struggles was an alarming trend regarding nursing staff and overall patient engagement. The family found themselves facing persistent issues involving nursing staff availability and support when it came to caring for their mother’s medical needs. Equally concerning was the lack of structured activities available to stimulate residents mentally and socially—an essential component in maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being for seniors in care facilities. It became painfully evident that these shortcomings contributed significantly to a diminished quality of life for their mom.

As time went on, the family grew increasingly alarmed by what they discovered during visits. Out of 15 visits recorded over some months, they noted that 14 times their mother was found lying in bed without adequate engagement or stimulation surrounding her—not just limited physically but emotionally as well. Each visit felt heavier than the last as concerns mounted about her mental state resulting from isolation rather than participation in community life within the facility.

Eventually reaching a breaking point borne out of love for their mother and concern for her well-being, the family opted to move her to another assisted living community—a decision they felt both relieved about and compelled towards after witnessing firsthand how systemic failures affected their loved one's quality of life at her previous residence. Their new choice transformed into a stark contrast; experiences at this new facility represented night-and-day differences compared to where she previously resided.

Overall, this family's journey reflects crucial lessons regarding due diligence when choosing an assisted living community—in particular stressing points around financial questions needing clarity before admission, assurance about staff availability for personal needs, as well as engaging activities designed explicitly for resident enrichment. For other families navigating similar situations now or in the future—and anticipating potential pitfalls—it becomes ever more apparent: thorough research informed by honest dialogue ultimately makes all difference when ensuring our loved ones receive compassionate care tailored specifically toward enhancing joy amidst later life challenges.

Located in the heart of Tiffin, Ohio, this neighborhood offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With cafes, theaters, restaurants, places of worship, physicians, pharmacies, transportation options, hospitals, and parks all within close proximity, residents can easily access everything they need for a fulfilling and active lifestyle. The presence of Mercy Hospital of Tiffin ensures quality healthcare services are readily available, while nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a welcoming community atmosphere with ample resources to support senior residents in their daily lives.

Cafes

• After Hours Live at Bailiwicks (0 miles)
• Bailiwicks Coffee Company (0 miles)
• Tim Hortons (1.3 miles)

Theaters

• Tiffin Theatre (0 miles)

Restaurants

• Reino's Pizza & Pasta (0.1 miles)
• Empire At 138 (0.2 miles)
• Rosies Soup N Such (0.4 miles)
• Clover Club (0.4 miles)
• G W's Fine Food & Spirits (0.4 miles)
• The Wall Street Pub & Grille (0.6 miles)
• Fireside Cafe Pub At Heidelberg University (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Old Trinity Episcopal Church (0.1 miles)
• St Paul's United Methodist Church (0.2 miles)
• A Little Faith Ministries (0.9 miles)
• Lutheran Church-Redeemer (1.1 miles)
• United Church Of Christ NWOA (1.2 miles)
• Sisters of Saint Francis (1.3 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Tiffin Ob/Gyn Center (0.2 miles)
• A Tender Touch Pediatrics (0.2 miles)
• Findlay Ear Nose & Throat (0.2 miles)
• Mercy Pediatric Associates (1 miles)
• Mercy Health - Tiffin Primary Care (1 miles)
• Tiffin Psychiatry Center (1 miles)
• Tiffin Pediatrics Associates (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• San-Mar Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (1 miles)
• Fillmore Pharmacy (11.5 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (12.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (13.1 miles)
• Harry's Pharmacy (15.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.6 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.2 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (1.2 miles)
• Seneca County Airport (16G) (2.3 miles)
• Norfolk Southern (11.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (11.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital of Tiffin (0.7 miles)
• Mercy Occupational Health Center/Community Lab (1 miles)
• Elmwood Healthcare Center At The Springs (12 miles)
• Promedica Health System (13.2 miles)
• Fostoria Community Dialysis (13.2 miles)
• ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital (13.2 miles)
• Pro Nepica Health System (13.2 miles)

Parks

• Oakley Park (1 miles)
• Hedges-Boyer Park (1.3 miles)
• Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve (10.4 miles)
• Sycamore Park (11.6 miles)
• The City Park (13.4 miles)
• Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve (15.5 miles)