950 Skylark Place, Ashland, OR 97520
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
Skylark Care Community sits at the center of a spectrum of experiences shared by families who have trusted their loved ones to its care. On one end, there are deeply human moments of warmth and competence: a grandmother's final days met with kindness from the staff, a memory-care unit that feels attentive, clean, and engaged, and a team of workers who genuinely appear to care about the people they serve. On the other end, there are stark, troubling accounts of neglect, miscommunication, and unsafe conditions that have driven some families to question whether Skylark is the right place for a loved one. Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a nuanced portrait of a facility that can feel like a lifeline in some moments and a source of fear in others.
Several reviews highlight the human side of Skylark in glowing terms. Families describe the staff as remarkably kind, patient, and comforting during some of life's hardest moments. One account recalls walking through the building "on the verge of tears" and being met with warmth and care, with a special shout-out to Sam for his exceptional kindness. The initial contact, the smooth process of admission, and the teamwork around paperwork are praised as well, with Skylar singled out for making the onboarding feel effortless. The environment is also praised: a clean, well-kept building with lots of activities and a capable maintenance team, including Mike, who is viewed as accommodating and helpful during transitions. Activities directors and food staff are described as caring and involved, contributing to a sense that Skylark is a place where residents can stay engaged and enjoy their meals and routines. In several testimonials, family members note the value of community meals, live music, and cultural activities such as hula dancers, which help residents feel connected and valued.
Caregiver leadership and improvements under local management are another bright thread. A care manager who visits daily describes Skylark as having moved in a positive direction over the past year. Under the leadership of Tish, staff are seen as careful, competent, and adequately supported. There is particular appreciation for the food program's improvements and the way staff engage with residents' needs, with praise for how the team communicates with families and coordinates care. In one moving reflection, a family member shares that their loved one arrived in fair health, received skilled attention for medical issues, and was kept clean, comfortable, and oriented to daily activities. Even when the resident could no longer care for themselves, the staff's attentiveness - help with dressing, bathing, medication management, maintenance, and social engagement - left the family feeling reassured and grateful.
Individual caregiving stories testify to both the everyday successes and the extraordinary moments of care. A reviewer who moved their mom into Skylark in 2024 notes that their mother was happy, well dressed, and involved in activities, with staff consistently attentive to needs and ready to assist with daily routines. They highlight the nursing team, especially a nurse named Cindy, who responds quickly to health concerns and maintains open lines of communication with families and care providers, making everyone feel secure in the level of care. The overall sense conveyed is that when Skylark functions at its best, families feel supported, residents feel seen, and care is delivered with a calm, confident attentiveness.
But the picture is not uniformly favorable. A substantial number of reviews raise serious safety, staffing, and quality-of-care concerns. Some accounts describe unstable or unprofessional staff, with criticisms ranging from casual use of personal devices during duty hours to a general sense that staffing levels and continuity have suffered. One reviewer explicitly labeled an employee as unstable, while another described a troubling scene where a caregiver was seemingly guiding a resident on FaceTime through the halls, a practice that undermined professionalism and privacy. There are grave health and safety claims as well: medications mishandled or delayed, residents left in soiled conditions for extended periods, and suggestions that med changes or sedation were not administered according to orders. In one distressing report, a med tech allegedly left Tylenol in a water glass with an expectation that someone else would consume it, and then walked away, while another caregiver reportedly failed to respond to a resident in need for more than 24 hours.
The negative reviews also include concerns about turnover and communication. The same voices warn of frequent staff changes, inconsistent care, and inadequate follow-through on promises. Several reviewers describe a pattern of under-staffing, poor phone access, and administrative bottlenecks, including difficulties with insurance documentation and claims processing that extended over months and required direct intervention by families or outside entities. One account from 2019 details a prolonged struggle with long-term care insurance paperwork and invoicing, culminating in the sense that corporate directions may be prioritizing financial metrics over day-to-day resident needs. In another retrospective comment, a family member suggests that while local staff may be capable and caring, the overarching corporate structure sometimes hinders timely communication and effective problem resolution.
There are also deeply troubling reports of neglect and inadequate response to emergencies. A recurring theme is residents who are not promptly helped with basic needs - being left in soiled clothing, not being dressed or washed when help was requested, and a general sense that urgent concerns were not prioritized. One stark recounting describes the experience of an 86-year-old father left without adequate staffing, with a Thanksgiving meal that consisted of two pieces of bread and a small portion of turkey, followed by the author and spouse stepping in to assist a resident who had fallen near an elevator. In another case, a caregiver reportedly told a family to hold a resident down during a forced change, and the nurse on duty allegedly indicated that there was a sanctioned plan to sedate with morphine, which would raise serious safety and ethics concerns. The fear and anger expressed in these reviews underscore the severe consequences of perceived neglect and mismanagement.
The mixed experiences extend to long-term decisions and comparisons with other facilities. Some reviewers describe moving loved ones out of Skylark to other communities after negative experiences, noting significant improvements elsewhere - particularly in areas like food quality, staff responsiveness, and overall atmosphere. A specific comparison cites Veranda Park in Medford as markedly better in terms of food, attention to detail, and insurance claims processing, highlighting that the contrast can be dramatic. Conversely, there are also messages from those who remain and still hope to see Skylark improve: acknowledges of ongoing improvements, calls for continued staff support and training, and expressions of willingness to work with management to address issues for the sake of current residents.
In sum, Skylark emerges as a place that can deliver meaningful, compassionate care when its staff are stable, adequately supported, and able to maintain close, proactive communication with families. Positive testimonials emphasize warmth, attentiveness, strong on-site leadership, engaging activities, and improvements in food quality and daily routines. Yet the mosaic also includes accounts of serious safety lapses, inconsistent staffing, and administrative challenges that undermine trust and raise questions about accountability. For families considering Skylark, the present picture suggests a facility capable of excellent caregiving under the right conditions, but one that warrants thorough, up-to-date visits, direct conversations with prospective caregivers and management, and careful consideration of whether the current environment can consistently meet the resident's safety, dignity, and medical needs.
Skylark Memory Care in Ashland, OR offers exceptional memory care services for seniors in a warm and inviting environment. Our community is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of individuals with memory impairment, providing them with the highest level of care and support.
Our residents enjoy a range of amenities that promote comfort and convenience. Each apartment is fully furnished and equipped with cable or satellite TV, Wi-Fi/high-speed internet, a telephone, and a kitchenette. Our beautiful outdoor space and garden provide opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of nature. The dining room offers restaurant-style dining where delicious meals are prepared according to special dietary restrictions.
At Skylark Memory Care, we prioritize the well-being of our residents. Our dedicated staff provides 24-hour supervision and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and transfers. We also offer medication management to ensure the health and safety of all residents. Our mental wellness program and specialized memory care programming cater to the cognitive needs of individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Engagement is essential to maintaining a high quality of life, which is why we provide resident-run activities as well as scheduled daily activities. Whether it's participating in group exercises or enjoying creative pursuits in our small library, there are plenty of opportunities for socialization and stimulation.
Our location in Ashland offers easy access to various amenities in the surrounding area. With 7 cafes, 3 parks, 2 pharmacies, 19 physicians, 12 restaurants, 1 place of worship, and 2 hospitals nearby, our residents have convenient access to all necessary services.
Choose Skylark Memory Care for exceptional memory care services that prioritize comfort, engagement, and specialized support for individuals with memory impairment.
Skylark Memory Care is located at 950 Skylark Place, Ashland, OR 97520 in Jackson County, Oregon
Skylark Memory Care's comprehensive range of services is designed to enhance the quality of life for residents facing dementia and Alzheimer's disease, ensuring that both their physical and emotional needs are met. Assistance with dressing, bathing, and transfers helps residents maintain personal hygiene and dignity while receiving the support they need. Medication management ensures proper adherence to prescribed treatments, reducing the risk of complications associated with missed doses. Meal preparation and service cater to specific dietary needs and preferences, promoting nutrition essential for overall health. The 24-hour supervision provides a safety net for residents, allowing peace of mind for families while fostering a secure environment. Engagement in activities of daily living coupled with specialized memory care programming stimulates cognitive function and social interaction, which can help alleviate feelings of isolation or anxiety. Moreover, the mental wellness program addresses psychological health, recognizing the importance of emotional support in managing cognitive decline effectively. Together, these features create a nurturing environment that respects individual capabilities while providing tailored support as needed.
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