Cypress Assisted Living

Pros

• The facility has the potential to be a great place for residents who are fully capable of caring for themselves.
• The environment may be suitable for those who do not require assistance with hygiene or communication of their needs.
• Cypress offers an opportunity for improvement in resident care and staffing that could enhance the experience for future residents.

Cons

• The facility does not provide adequate support for residents who need assistance with hygiene and communication.
• There were ongoing issues with regular bathing, laundry services, and room cleanliness.
• The RN staff is disrespectful and unsympathetic towards residents at the end of life.
• The facility fails to cooperate with Hospice and does not honor family wishes regarding comfort medications.
• Overall staffing and resident care need significant improvement to reach their potential.

Review

The experience of placing a loved one in a caregiving facility can be daunting, and the reflections from this family regarding their father’s time at Cypress are both poignant and cautionary. Having lived there for nearly a year, from October 1, 2021, to September 5, 2022, the family felt compelled to share their insights with others who might be considering similar options for their own relatives. Their primary message is clear: Cypress may not be suitable for individuals who require the assistance of others in daily living tasks or whose communication abilities are compromised.

One of the most significant issues highlighted by the family relates to basic personal care and hygiene. They experienced consistent challenges in ensuring that their father received regular baths—a fundamental aspect of dignity and well-being that should be reliably provided in any caregiving environment. It became apparent that without proactive advocacy from family members, essential tasks such as bathing were neglected altogether. This lack of consistent personal care raised serious concerns about whether residents who need support are receiving it adequately.

Laundry services and room upkeep also fell short of expectations during their father’s stay at Cypress. The family's frustration stemmed from infrequent cleaning schedules for both common areas and individual rooms; they noted that cleanliness seemed more like an afterthought than a priority within the facility. Regular maintenance is crucial in settings where residents may have mobility challenges or other health issues that make self-care difficult, thus leading to another layer of apprehension about Cypress's ability to ensure its residents lived comfortably and hygienically.

Perhaps even more critical was the family's experience with end-of-life care as their father's health declined significantly during his time at the facility. They emphasized how vital it is for families seeking nursing facilities—particularly those caring for terminally ill patients—to thoroughly vet places like Cypress ahead of time. They reported difficulties communicating with registered nurses (RNs) who did not readily accommodate or respect hospice recommendations concerning comfort medications essential for alleviating pain during their father's final days. This lack of cooperation was not only frustrating but also emotionally taxing during an already heartbreaking period.

The perceived attitude of some staff members further contributed to a sense of inadequacy surrounding resident care at Cypress. Descriptions indicate interactions between staff and family could often feel dismissive rather than empathetic—an alarming reality when families seek compassionate support amid difficult circumstances involving illness and impending loss. The family's appeal underscored how healthcare settings must prioritize empathy alongside competent medical care to fulfill not just clinical needs but also emotional ones.

Despite these critiques, it is worth noting that there lies potential within Cypress to evolve into a more supportive environment for residents if changes are made regarding staffing levels and training focused on resident-centered care practices. The family believes there could be significant improvements if management prioritized hiring compassionate staff dedicated to fostering meaningful interactions while actively attending to residents' medical and emotional needs. For future families considering this facility, careful consideration is warranted as conditions currently stand; ensuring your loved one receives appropriate support should always take precedence over comfort factors alone when determining long-term living arrangements within healthcare systems.

Cafes

• Penguin Coffee (0 miles)
• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Whidbey Coffee (0.6 miles)
• Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe & Bakery (0.7 miles)
• Island Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Moka Joe Coffee (3.6 miles)
• Tweets (8.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Vagabond Station (0.1 miles)
• Donut House (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Anthony's Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Bamboo Bistro (0.7 miles)
• Mary Ann's Kitchen (0.8 miles)
• Mad Hatter's Ice Cream (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Skagit Northwest Orthopedics: Dr Stacia Smith (0.1 miles)
• Skagit Regional Health - Cascade Ear, Nose and Throat Anacortes (0.2 miles)
• Joe MD Mulcahy FACS (0.2 miles)
• Lopez Island Medical Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Island Eye Physicians & Surgeons (0.3 miles)
• Fidalgo Medical Associates (0.3 miles)
• Anacortes Family Medicine (0.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Island Hospital Sleep Wellness Center (0.1 miles)
• Skagit County Public Hospital District (0.3 miles)
• Cancer Care Center (0.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Family Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Hi-School Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• Haggen Pharmacy (12.8 miles)
• Walgreens (12.8 miles)
• Makers Compounding Pharmacy (12.9 miles)

Parks

• Seafarers Memorial Park (0.4 miles)
• Cap Sante Park (0.8 miles)
• Bowman Bay (1 miles)
• Washington Park (3.3 miles)
• Mount Erie Park (3.6 miles)
• Bay View State Park (6.2 miles)
• Deception Pass (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• NAS Whidbey Skywarrior Theatre (11.8 miles)
• AMC Cascade Mall 14 (12.8 miles)

Transportation

• Burlington Airport Shuttle (13 miles)