Colonial Manors of Custer

Pros

• The assisted living side of the facility appears to be more reasonable and welcoming compared to the nursing home.
• The referral from the assisted living side indicates that there is support for residents with memory care needs.
• There may be potential for a positive experience at the facility, as the assisted living team seems supportive.
• Despite the interaction with the intake nurse, other staff members in the organization could offer a more favorable experience.

Cons

• The intake nurse appeared to be disinterested in accepting the resident due to memory care needs.
• The nurse was consistently curt and unwelcoming during conversations.
• There was a feeling of being dismissed or unwanted by the facility based on the nurse's attitude.
• The nursing home aspect of the facility seemed less accommodating compared to the assisted living side.

Review

In evaluating the care facility in question, it is important to emphasize that my rating reflects solely on my interactions with the intake nurse and does not extend to the facility as a whole. My experience has been shaped significantly by this initial contact, which left me with a rather negative impression of how potential residents are assessed and welcomed into their care system. The role of an intake nurse is crucial; they serve as the first point of contact for families seeking support and guidance during often challenging times. Unfortunately, my experience with this nurse was less than satisfactory.

From our first conversation, I felt a palpable reluctance from the intake nurse regarding my mother's admission due to her specific memory care needs. This hesitation seemed unfounded considering that we were referred by the assisted living side of the same company—an indication that there might be a fit for Mom within their overall care framework. Instead of feeling reassured or supported through what can already be an emotional process, I sensed an underlying resistance that left me questioning whether my mother would receive the compassionate care she required.

The communication style of this particular nurse only intensified my concerns. Each interaction was marked by curt responses that did little to alleviate my anxieties about placing my mother in care. Given the sensitive nature of memory-related issues, I had hoped for a more empathetic and understanding approach. Instead, I found myself navigating a series of conversations that felt transactional rather than supportive or collaborative. For families in distress who are seeking assistance for loved ones facing cognitive challenges, such experiences can add layers of stress rather than provide comfort.

In stark contrast to this experience at the nursing home level, my interactions with staff from their assisted living side have painted a different picture altogether. Here, I encountered personnel who appeared far more reasonable and welcoming—traits that are invaluable when dealing with vulnerable populations such as those requiring memory care services. This discrepancy raised further questions regarding training practices and organizational culture across various departments within the same company.

Ultimately, while it is clear that assisted living offers a more promising atmosphere conducive to patient care, it begs consideration whether such differences indicate systemic issues in how individuals are prepared to interact with families during critical processes like admissions assessments at nursing homes. A cohesive approach across all levels of care within one organization could significantly enhance family trust and comfort when making difficult decisions about long-term placements for loved ones.

Though it's essential not to cast blame on one individual entirely—I recognize that nurses may work under significant pressure—it remains vital for facilities offering specialized care to prioritize comprehensive training focused on empathy and effective communication skills among staff members who interact directly with clients' families. Positive patient outcomes hinge not just on clinical capabilities but also on forming trusting relationships between caregivers and families navigating deeply personal health journeys together. By addressing these areas within their operational model, facilities like this could transform initial apprehensions into lasting partnerships built on mutual understanding and service-oriented commitment.

Hospitals

• Monument Health Custer Urgent Care Services (0.1 miles)
• Battle Mountain National Sanitarium (23.9 miles)
• Va Black Hills Health Care System (24 miles)
• Fall River Health Services (24.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Custer Wesleyan Church (0.2 miles)
• Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (0.4 miles)
• Custer Community Church Ucc (0.5 miles)
• CrossRoads Evangelical Free Church (0.6 miles)
• First Baptist Church Of Custer (0.6 miles)
• Mountain View Baptist Church (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Miner's Cup (0.3 miles)
• Calamity Jane Coffee House and Grill (0.6 miles)
• Calamity Jane Winery & Mercantile (0.6 miles)
• Coffee Works (0.6 miles)
• Wicked Espresso (1 miles)
• Flatiron Building (23.9 miles)
• Buffalo Dreamer (24 miles)

Restaurants

• Maria's Mexican (0.5 miles)
• Frontier Grill (0.5 miles)
• Sage Creek Grille (0.5 miles)
• Pizza Hut (0.6 miles)
• Baker's Bakery & Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Black Hills Pie & Bistro (0.6 miles)
• Buglin' Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar (0.6 miles)

Parks

• Jewel Cave National Monument (0.6 miles)
• Big Rock Park (0.6 miles)
• J.H. Keith Park and Whitney Preserve at Cascade Springs (24.4 miles)
• Butler Park (24.6 miles)
• Canyon Lake Park (25 miles)

Pharmacies

• Carson Drug (0.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (24.7 miles)
• Lynns Dakotamart Pharmacy-Hot Springs (24.7 miles)

Theaters

• Geju - Hot Springs Theatre (24.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (24.3 miles)

Physicians

• Rapid City Medical Center (24.4 miles)