333 East 1160 S, St George, UT 84770
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The Meadows at Escalante, which some now refer to as Desert Oaks, has left a long trail of complaints that feel both urgent and repetitive to anyone who looks closely at the experiences described by residents and families. The name change appears to be a continuation of a pattern many say began years ago: a facility that looks the same on the outside, with a staff and leadership that many feel have not kept up with the basic expectations of care, safety, and fair dealing. Among the most shocking claims is the reference to a "Freezer Death" incident tied to a caregiver oversight, a memory many families say continues to haunt them as they watch the place remain in operation with what they describe as insufficient oversight and accountability.
The story often starts with a mixed experience. One reviewer recounts that their mother thrived in the memory care unit during the first year, thanks in large part to a standout activities director named Tami who could coax participation from residents in daily activities. But that sunshine quickly faded when Tami left at the end of 2023. Soon after, the facility was said to have suffered a serious turning point: the freezer incident and the announcement that there was no RN or Executive Director on site. The reviewer notes that Frontier took over around that time, and from that moment, the care and engagement of residents deteriorated across 2024. Activities dwindled to near-nothing, and what had been a relatively hopeful transition for a family turned into ongoing concern about whether the staff could meet basic needs.
Part of the ongoing frustration centers on communications, billing, and refunds. The same account details a painful trajectory of dealing with refunds after a resident's passing and after months of following up. The reviewer describes patience and persistence - emails every week, repeated reiterations of contract terms, and a sense that responses were few and far between. A partial month refund eventually appeared, but only after threats of Small Claims Court and a recognition that the process had been unreasonably slow. A staff member named Travis did eventually assist, but the process required substantial energy from the family just to obtain what was owed. The impression left is that the facility's administrative side is slow, opaque, and not responsive to reasonable requests, especially during bereavement.
Another thread that runs through multiple accounts is the difficulty in reaching anyone by phone. A family member who tried calling daily for two weeks reported that nobody answered, which reinforced the perception that the facility lacks a reliable, accessible point of contact for families navigating care concerns, payments, or refunds. This clash between expectations set by a contract and the lived reality of service appears repeatedly in the reviews, with one resident's contract promises - such as cable and internet access - often not being fully realized or consistently delivered after Frontier's takeover. The resident who wrote under the name Bruce Warren notes that despite promises, the services such as cable and stable internet did not always materialize, even when they were listed as contractual benefits.
There is also a broader, more alarming dimension that surfaces in multiple reviews: concerns about safety, neglect, and the handling of a resident's possessions. One detailed post recounts an elder abuse claim describing negligent acts leading to harm, and a specific incident where a deceased resident's door was found unlocked in the weeks after death. The author details a protracted, painful process of trying to obtain a refund for the departed resident's remaining rent, only to face repeated delays and excuses - months becoming nearly a year - with little to no communication from staff. The writer paints a picture of a facility that fails to secure valuables and personal belongings, with reports of theft and a lack of respect for dignity in the handling of a resident's death and the posthumous property.
In the most stark terms, many reviewers describe a facility that feels under-staffed, under-equipped to provide consistent medical attention, and poorly led. The management changes, cost-cutting measures, and reduced hours are presented as contributing factors to a broader sense of systemic decline. Some staff are described as kind and capable, but the consensus among many families is that these good days are outweighed by episodes of mismanagement and inattention. The building is described by some as clean and well-maintained at times, but the overall experience is overshadowed by recurring issues: intermittent water outages, road work and delays in repairs, and a sense that urgent problems simply do not rise to the top of leadership's priority list.
Amid these overwhelming concerns, there is at least one voice of praise from a family that toured several facilities before selecting this one. That perspective emphasizes professional, patient, and caring staff, easy updates for families, bright and well-maintained surroundings, and a sense of security for a loved one. It stands in stark contrast to the bulk of negative experiences and serves as a reminder that perceptions of care can vary dramatically even within the same facility. Nonetheless, the preponderance of stories here is unmistakably negative: a place that some describe as a "dump" with a "skeleton crew" managing meals, medications, laundry, and trash removal, all while price remains high and care quality is perceived as inconsistent at best.
Taken together, these accounts present a portrait of a facility that has become a source of fear and frustration for many families. They describe a long history of turnover in leadership, what is perceived as under-staffing, and concerns that promised services are not consistently delivered. The emotional toll - grief, anger, and the sense that a loved one's basic safety and dignity were compromised - permeates several narratives. While there are occasional snippets of positive experiences and hope, the prevailing sentiment is one of caution and resolve: if a family can, they should look elsewhere, and if staying is unavoidable, they should go in with eyes wide open and an understanding that ongoing problems may require persistent advocacy and clear-eyed expectations about what the facility can realistically provide.
The Wentworth at The Meadows III in St. George, UT is an assisted living community that offers a wide range of amenities and care services to ensure the comfort and well-being of its residents. The community provides fully furnished accommodations with amenities such as cable or satellite TV, Wi-Fi/high-speed internet, and telephone service for easy communication.
Residents can enjoy delicious meals served in a spacious dining room that caters to special dietary restrictions. Housekeeping services are available to maintain a clean and comfortable living environment for all residents.
The community offers 24-hour supervision and assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and transfers. Care services also include medication management and coordination with health care providers to ensure proper medical treatment.
The Wentworth at The Meadows III values mental wellness and offers a dedicated program to promote overall mental well-being among its residents. Additionally, the community provides transportation arrangements for medical appointments and access to nearby hospitals.
Residents can engage in scheduled daily activities that cater to their interests and preferences. With three cafes, two parks, eight pharmacies, 52 physicians, 26 restaurants, and convenient transportation options nearby, residents have access to various amenities within close proximity.
Overall, the Wentworth at The Meadows III in St. George, UT provides a supportive and engaging environment where residents receive personalized care while enjoying a range of amenities and nearby attractions.
The Wentworth At The Meadows III is located at 333 East 1160 S, St George, UT 84770 in Washington County, Utah
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