Wildewood Downs Retirement Community

Pros

• Residents appreciate the convenient location and community atmosphere at Wildewood Downs Retirement Community.
• The wellness director is highly regarded for being organized, caring, and attentive to residents' needs during exercise activities.
• Many residents enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including art classes and social events, which contribute to a vibrant community life.
• Families are pleased with the compassionate care provided to their loved ones in skilled nursing and memory care units.
• Residents feel secure and well-supported by caregivers who assist them effectively with daily living activities.
• The beautifully remodeled apartments and comfortable living spaces are well-received by new residents.
• The social director is commended for planning enjoyable programs that enhance community engagement among residents.
• Overall, many residents express satisfaction with their living experience at Wildewood Downs and appreciate the friendly staff and maintenance team.

Cons

• Care dropped dramatically after a few months in the memory care unit, raising concerns about treatment during quarantines.
• The facility lost all of a resident's clothes and there were persistent cuts and bruises with no adequate explanation from staff.
• There was a lack of communication from staff, who refused to answer phone calls from family members.
• Staff intentionally delayed paperwork for transferring residents to new facilities, resulting in accrued costs.
• New management has not yet proven to be satisfactory, though it is less problematic than previously experienced.
• Some residents noted that the dinner menu could be more varied and felt it had become pricier over time.

Review

Wildewood Downs Retirement Community is a place that evokes a wide range of responses from residents and families alike. On one hand, some individuals rave about the conveniences, the range of activities available, and the support provided by staff members. Many praise the community for its pleasant atmosphere and care offered to those who reside there. For instance, several residents highlight organized activities such as art classes, workout sessions, social events, and even contests like flower arranging. These activities are not only engaging but create opportunities for social interaction among residents, which many find enriching in their daily lives.

The resident experience at Wildewood Downs seems to vary significantly between independent living and memory care units. While many appreciate the thoughtfulness of caregivers assisting them with daily tasks—particularly noting their punctuality and respectful engagement—there are troubling accounts regarding oversight in memory care services. One family shared a harrowing experience concerning their father in the memory care unit; while initial feelings about his care began positively, they soon deteriorated. Reports included concerns about lost clothing or potential theft, unexplained cuts and bruises without communication from staff about incidents of falls, and frustratingly poor communication when family members attempted to make contact. The perceived decline in quality of care over time raises significant concerns regarding accountability and transparency.

Positively reflecting on their experiences at Wildewood Downs is not uncommon for families who appreciate the attentiveness shown by staff members across various levels of care. Many reviewers specifically commend employees like the Wellness Director for her ability to tailor exercise regimens suited to individual capabilities while maintaining an encouraging environment that fosters overall well-being. This sense of personalization in care seems integral to creating an effective wellness program that respects each resident's physical condition while uplifting morale through thoughtful programming.

There’s also notable appreciation towards community amenities that contribute to a vibrant lifestyle within Wildewood Downs. The beautifully crafted Garden Homes offer residents ample space—2 bedrooms with additional living spaces—and they take pride in maintaining personal gardens filled with flowers or participating in recreational activities like golf or biking on well-kept grounds. Residents often emphasize enjoying meals together as part of building friendships within the community—as dining becomes an important aspect of their day-to-day lives where they can bond over shared experiences.

However, it’s essential to recognize challenges faced by residents as management changes occur within Wildewood Downs. Some individuals expressed minor frustrations related to menu pricing or menu variety but acknowledged that these were outweighed by positive interactions among neighbors and staff who consistently strive for improvement despite any operational shifts being experienced throughout 2021 into early 2022.

Overall, Wildewood Downs presents itself as a multifaceted community where positive experiences abound alongside serious challenges sometimes faced particularly within specialized memory care services. Families remain hopeful for continual growth focused on improving current shortcomings while cherishing beautiful moments spent amongst supportive neighbors pursuing engaging hobbies amidst caring staff efforts making it feel like home—even during difficult times marked by external challenges like pandemic-related quarantines limiting family visits or general socialization opportunities initially designed for community-building purposes. It represents both lighthearted camaraderie enjoyed today plus discussions focused on necessary improvements yet ahead—a mix embodying what it means to truly live through one another’s stories here within this retirement community space!

This part of Columbia, South Carolina offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and convenient neighborhood. With multiple places of worship nearby such as Spring Valley Baptist Church and Sandhills Community Church, individuals can find spiritual fulfillment within the community. Additionally, there are various healthcare options including Lexington Family Practice Northeast and Northeast Dermatology for medical needs. Residents can also enjoy dining at popular restaurants like Applebee's and Chick-Fil-A, as well as grab a cup of coffee at one of the many Starbucks locations in the area. For entertainment, Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 is just a short drive away. Overall, this neighborhood provides a welcoming environment for seniors to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Places of Worship

• Spring Valley Baptist Church (1.3 miles)
• Grace Life Church (2.8 miles)
• Sandhills Community Church (3.5 miles)
• Restoration Life Ministries (3.6 miles)
• Radiant Life Church (3.7 miles)
• Tree of Life Congregation (4.6 miles)
• Shandon Baptist Church (6.1 miles)

Physicians

• Lexington Family Practice Northeast (1.4 miles)
• Associates In Gastroenterology (1.7 miles)
• Sophistication Me (1.7 miles)
• Berkeley Endoscopy Center (1.8 miles)
• Northeast Dermatology (1.9 miles)
• Internal Cleansing & Healing Center (1.9 miles)
• Palmetto Orthopaedic Clinic PA (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.5 miles)
• Cook Out (1.8 miles)
• Applebee's (1.9 miles)
• Wendy's (1.9 miles)
• Zaxby's (2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2 miles)
• Red Lobster (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• The Human Bean Columbia, Summit Parkway (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Octapharma Plasma (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• U HS Pruitt (5.2 miles)
• Moncrief Army Hospital (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Lake Carolina Properties Harborside Village Green (6.3 miles)