Sarenac Home Care

Pros

• Ramila and Sarenac Home Care are described as angels who truly care about Mom and all residents.
• The home environment is warm, home-like, spotless, and odor-free, making it feel like home rather than a nursing facility.
• Ramila conducts thorough health and medication reviews, leading to improved health and the weaning of medications that were making Mom sicker.
• The caregivers are portrayed as compassionate and devoted, treating residents like family with love, attention, and personalized meals.
• Ramila proactively addresses needs, such as providing a lift chair and a new mattress to enhance comfort.
• Families are kept in the loop with regular updates and photos of residents' activities, and visitation is welcomed.
• The care is associated with positive outcomes over years, including extended quality time with loved ones and a peaceful, dignified transition, praised by professionals such as hospice nurses.

Cons

• The owner could come across as brusque and aggressive.
• Residents were told they could not walk in the backyard because it would ruin the grass.
• The owner indicated she would be aggressive with the state to obtain maximum dollars, implying financial motives.
• The family was told they would need two years of private pay, then a $7,000 monthly rate, which they could not afford.
• The family was asked to sign a contract to supplement Medicaid, which they believed was illegal.
• It was suggested that money was the primary motivation for running Sarenac Home Care.
• There were concerns raised about industry practices, such as potential hospital transfers to avoid readmission.

Review

Sarenac Home Care (SHC) emerges in these accounts as a home-like, people-centered place where Ramila and the caregiving team take a meticulous, compassionate approach to helping residents live with dignity. In one story, a mother who arrived from an assisted living setting was immediately met with a thorough review of her needs - guided by a health care advocate's assessment and a careful reconciliation of medications from multiple doctors. The result, according to the family, was a remarkable improvement in her health and a successful weaning away from medications that had been contributing to her decline. The tone of this testimony is unequivocally grateful: Ramila and the SHC care-support staff are described as "amazing angels" who truly care about not just the resident but all the residents. The phrase that recurs is that Ramila runs a "tight ship" with empathy and heart, creating a sense of security and attentiveness that the family felt from day one.

Add to that, the Addendum dated January 9, 2025, which frames SHC as nothing short of a Godsend for the family. The writer emphasizes the emotional and practical relief of finding a place that offers a true home environment and personal care "from the heart" for not only their mother but all residents. The home is portrayed as spotless and odor-free, and the atmosphere is described as feeling like home rather than a conventional nursing facility. The family notes excellent communication and care from Ramila and the caregivers, and they describe a long arc of happiness and peace for their mother, who passed away peacefully at SHC after more than four years in residence. The sentiment is deeply blessed - grateful to Ramila, the caregivers, and the SHC family for providing a setting where their loved one could age with dignity and comfort.

The warmth of SHC is reinforced by a 2021 recollection from another family member who visited for the first time and felt an immediate sense of welcome. What struck them was the ambiance - warmth, style, and cleanliness that created "home" rather than a facility. The mother's initial adjustments were supported with thoughtful, practical gestures: a lift chair replacing a recliner to accommodate her needs, followed by a new mattress to improve sleep. The narrative highlights a culture of love and attentiveness, with Ramila and her staff treating residents like family, preparing special meals, and emphasizing socialization and togetherness. Meals are shared, with desserts singled out as a standout, and the care team is described as ensuring residents feel comfortable, cared for, and important. The family appreciates that updates arrive in real time - photos of activities, birthdays, and moments of joy - thus keeping families connected. A hospice nurse who was brought in to help during the final days offered a tender compliment to SHC's care, reinforcing the sense that the place honors both living and dying with grace and respect.

Further testament to the same culture comes from a family with a 97-year-old father who moved to SHC from a high-rise facility marked by frequent staff turnover. The observers describe noticeable improvements in his health and overall well-being under SHC's individualized services and the continuity of his caregivers. They emphasize that the same caregivers who welcomed him remained with him, creating a stable, supportive environment. The overall impression is that SHC's approach - an atmosphere that feels like home, paired with consistent, attentive care - helps residents thrive. These remarks culminate in an unequivocal endorsement: SHC is a wonderful home-like setting for elderly residents, and the Adams family expresses lasting gratitude for Ramila and the staff.

Amid the overwhelmingly positive narratives, one detailed account from the Adams family offers a counterpoint about the business and financial aspects. This lengthy testimonial describes a transition into SHC's memory-care setting with an initial stated rate of $5,000 per month, followed by a later increase to $7,000 per month as the family learned more about the resident's needs. They recount being assured of a "forever home" and private-pay support for a two-year period to facilitate a transition to Medicaid. What followed, they claim, was a change in terms: the owner allegedly informed them that they could not afford to transition to Medicaid and would require an augmenting private contract to supplement Medicaid funds. The family describes aggressive strategies to maximize state funds and a policy document that purportedly designated a Medicaid room yet later claimed there was no Medicaid room. They allege a pattern of pressuring families to sign supplemental contracts and suggest that such practices may be illegal, noting that Medicaid might contribute far less than the private-pay amount and that the family was asked to bridge the gap. The narrative portrays a business motive that prioritizes financial considerations over the promised "forever home" and raises concerns about transparency and integrity in the facility's Medicaid transition process.

Despite the intense financial concerns raised in that account, the Adams family does acknowledge that after leaving SHC for a period due to those tensions, their mother later found a home at SHC again and has continued to thrive, with reports of improved health, personalized care, good meals, meaningful activities, and a sense of belonging. They describe their ongoing appreciation for Ramila and the staff, and they report that their mother considers SHC her home, flourishing under the care and the stable, familiar caregiving team. In their view, the positive qualities cited elsewhere - the warmth, the family-like atmosphere, and the attentive, individualized care - remain the core strengths of the SHC experience.

Taken together, these narratives present a nuanced portrait of Sarenac Home Care. The consistent threads are the commitment to person-centered care, the emphasis on a true home environment, and the importance of open, ongoing communication with families. Residents are described as enjoying social interaction, shared meals, celebratory events like birthdays, and a sense of belonging that extends beyond routine caregiving. Ramila is repeatedly highlighted as a pivotal figure - both as a leader who maintains a "tight ship" and as a compassionate, hands-on caregiver who identifies needs early, advocates for residents' comfort, and builds strong relationships with families. The testimonials celebrate the reduction of unnecessary medications through careful review and collaboration with health-care professionals, as well as the occasional life-enhancing interventions - such as new chairs or mattresses - that reflect a proactive, attentive approach to individual health and comfort.

At the same time, this collection of stories invites contemplation about the financial and administrative dimensions of elder care. The Adams family narrative foregrounds questions about pricing, transitions to Medicaid, and the role of private-pay arrangements in sustaining a home-like setting. It underscores the importance of transparency, clear contractual terms, and alignment between stated promises and actual policies. While the overall sentiment about SHC's care and ethos is overwhelmingly positive, these concerns remind readers that compassionate care must go hand in hand with transparent, ethical management practices. In the end, the shared experiences describe SHC as a community where residents and families often feel cherished, supported, and at home, with Ramila and the caregiving team at the heart of that enduring sense of care, warmth, and everyday dignity.

Located in the vibrant city of Spokane, Washington, this particular neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. Within close proximity, you will find a selection of restaurants ranging from casual dining options like Pooles Public House and Frank's Diner to fast food chains like Sonic Drive-In and McDonald's. Pharmacies such as Walgreens, Sav-On Pharmacy, and Rite Aid are easily accessible for all your medical needs. Additionally, there are several places of worship in the area, including Whitworth Chapel and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. For healthcare services, Providence Urgent Care and various specialty clinics are nearby. If you enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Franklin Park and Indian Trail Park provide opportunities for leisurely walks or picnics. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of convenience, community resources, and recreational options suitable for senior living.

Restaurants

• Pooles Public House On (0.5 miles)
• Fizzie Mulligans (0.6 miles)
• Frank's Diner (0.7 miles)
• Twigs Bistro (0.8 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.8 miles)
• Firehouse Subs (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Rosauers Supermarkets (1.4 miles)
• Payless Drug Stores (1.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Whitworth Chapel (0.8 miles)
• Prince of Peace Lutheran (4 miles)

Physicians

• Providence Urgent Care - Hawthorne (0.9 miles)
• Providence Pulmonary and Sleep Disorder Clinic - Spokane (1.3 miles)
• Northwest Dermatology (1.4 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialty Clinic (1.4 miles)
• Mt. Spokane Pediatrics (1.5 miles)
• Spine Team Spokane (1.5 miles)
• Lee Rhonna Arnp (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Little Garden Cafe (5.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.4 miles)
• Hold Your Grounds Espresso (6.7 miles)
• Daily Habit (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Providence Holy Family Hospital Anti Coag Unit (3.8 miles)
• Providence Holy Family Hospital (5 miles)
• Spokane Va Medical Center (5.3 miles)
• VA Medical Center (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Franklin Park (4 miles)
• Indian Trail Park (4.1 miles)
• Bidwell Park (4.1 miles)
• Webster Park (5.4 miles)
• Corbin Park (5.5 miles)
• Ice Age floods Playground (6.8 miles)
• The United States Pavilion, Expo '74 (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Northtown Mall (4.1 miles)