American House Bristol

Pros

• The staff at American House Bristol are generally seen as kind and attentive, providing excellent assistance with Activities of Daily Living.
• The facility is commended for its cleanliness and well-maintained environment, helping to create a pleasant living space for residents.
• Residents appreciate the spaciousness of the rooms, which come equipped with amenities like cable TV and internet access.
• The courtyard area is highlighted as a nice feature, providing an enclosed outdoor space for residents to enjoy fresh air in a safe environment.
• Many reviewers note that the activities coordinator has successfully fostered a fun atmosphere within the community, enhancing residents' overall experience.
• Overall, the positive experiences during respite stays indicate that guests feel well cared for and supported at American House Bristol.
• The facility's 24/7 nursing staff ensures that residents have continuous medical support available when needed.
• Family members express satisfaction with management’s responsiveness, especially regarding care decisions for their loved ones transitioning into the facility.

Cons

• The facility is understaffed, particularly on the Memory Care side, leading to inadequate attention for residents’ daily needs and goals.
• Despite the high cost of over $6,500 a month, management prioritizes profit over staff and resident well-being, resulting in frequent price increases and extra charges.
• The quality of food served is poor, with residents often consuming unhealthy meals high in salt and sugar, contrary to dietary restrictions.
• Staff retention is a significant issue, with many employees working excessive hours due to a lack of personnel.
• Activities for residents seem limited since staff do not consistently encourage participation or provide assistance for those who need it.
• Communication between families and staff regarding resident needs appears lacking, with delayed responses or no replies to inquiries.
• The Memory Care ward seems isolated from other activities within the facility, affecting residents' engagement and interaction levels.
• Residents have reported difficulty managing personal appointments without additional assistance from outside sources.
• Housekeeping standards on the Memory Care side are nominal compared to other areas of the facility.
• Some facilities still have heavy manual doors that can be difficult for residents to navigate independently.

Review

American House Bristol has garnered mixed reviews from families and residents alike, particularly regarding the quality of care, staffing levels, and overall environment. Many reviewers highlight that before moving a loved one to a facility like American House, it's crucial to understand financial obligations, especially related to Medicaid eligibility and notice periods for moving out. One family shared their frustration after having to relocate their loved one just two weeks shy of a year in private pay status, facing penalties despite being encouraged by the staff to make the move due to circumstances at the home.

Residents at American House Bristol have expressed concerns about understaffing on the Memory Care (MC) side of the facility. While some staff members receive high praise for their kindness and attentiveness, families noted that there simply aren’t enough caregivers available to meet residents’ needs comprehensively. This shortage means that daily activities often go unassisted — an important factor considering many residents rely on staff for support in achieving personal goals such as walking or participating in activities tailored for memory care patients. The general sentiment is that while individual staff members do their best under challenging conditions, management must prioritize hiring more personnel dedicated to providing quality care.

The cost of living at American House is another significant concern raised by multiple reviewers. At over $6,500 per month after annual increases, families expect higher standards than what seems typically provided in assisted living facilities across the United States today. Many voiced dissatisfaction with continuous price hikes between $500 and $1,500 each year and expressed disillusionment with what feels like profit-driven motives overshadowing resident well-being. For instance, even basic services have extra charges associated with them—adding to already burdensome financial pressures.

Despite acknowledging some of these challenges, several families remarked positively about certain aspects of life at American House Bristol. One reviewer praised their father's recent respite stay for its excellent care and attention received from nursing staff who were described as kind and efficient in meeting his daily needs. They found him satisfied with both the food offerings and overall cleanliness of the facility’s environment. Another positive mention included ample parking availability and a well-maintained dumpster area—small but meaningful details contributing to a better-quality living experience.

However, concerns around food quality remain prevalent among multiple reports—particularly those from relatives whose loved ones have specific dietary requirements or preferences that aren’t adequately catered to by the dining staff. Complaints included repetitive menus dominated by high-salt options lacking in traditional comfort foods familiar to long-term residents accustomed to different culinary styles or constraints due to health issues. Staff appear eager but overwhelmed when trying to meet personalized dietary needs amidst an array of other responsibilities.

Lastly, while some amenities are praised—such as outdoor spaces designed for safety—others invite criticism regarding accessibility or upkeep; manual doors preclude easy exit into courtyards despite automatic front doors leading into the building itself. Moreover, questions arise concerning transportation logistics when it comes time for hospital visits or trips outside scheduled bus rides—the burden falls back onto families or individuals requiring urgent care services rather than being supported by facility transport options.

In conclusion, American House Bristol reflects broader issues afflicting many assisted living facilities: balancing profitability while delivering compassionate care amid consistent staffing shortages puts immense pressure on both employees and management alike—the hope remains for improvements addressing these challenges without compromising resident quality of life further down the line.

This part of Bristol, Tennessee offers a convenient location with easy access to various amenities and services such as physicians specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics, orthopedic and neurosurgery practices, as well as a regional medical center and surgery center. There are also several dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants. The area features pharmacies for easy access to medications, places of worship for spiritual needs, a couple of theaters for entertainment, cafes for a relaxing coffee break, parks for outdoor activities, and transportation services nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of healthcare facilities, dining choices, recreational opportunities, and convenience that may suit seniors looking for a well-rounded community to settle down in.

Physicians

• Internal Medicine & Pediatric (0.1 miles)
• Ahmad Hasan B Do Select Specialty Hospitaltri Cities Bristol (0.2 miles)
• Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates PC (0.2 miles)
• Highlands Neurosurgery PC (0.3 miles)
• Blue Ridge Medical Specialists PC (0.3 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates (0.3 miles)
• Mountain Empire Eye Physicians (1.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Bristol Regional Medical Center (0.3 miles)
• Bristol Surgery Center (2 miles)
• Wellmont-Ridgeview At Bristol Regional Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Rehabilitation Hospital (2.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Zaxby's (0.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.8 miles)
• Panda Express (0.8 miles)
• Aubrey's (0.8 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (0.8 miles)
• Captain D's (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Bunting's & Northside Drug Center (3.2 miles)
• Food City Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.8 miles)
• Walgreens (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Beech Grove United Methodist Church (2.1 miles)
• Anderson St United Methodist Church (3.7 miles)
• St Anne Catholic Church (4.7 miles)
• Wallace United Methodist Church (8.6 miles)

Theaters

• Marquee Cinemas - Pinnacle 12 (2.6 miles)
• Cinemark Tinseltown USA - Now Closed (7.8 miles)

Cafes

• Blackbird Bakery (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)

Parks

• Cumberland Square Park (4.2 miles)
• Sugar Hollow Park (8.8 miles)
• Sugar Hollow Playground (8.8 miles)

Transportation

• Big Stick Taxidermy (9.2 miles)