Vicki's Care Cottage

Pros

• The team at this facility is absolutely wonderful.
• The staff are kind, attentive and go above and beyond to make residents feel comfortable and cared for.
• The building is always clean, welcoming, and has a warm, family-like atmosphere.
• The Cottages offer lovely floor plans in brand-new cottages with ample staffing.
• The staff show genuine empathy and professional skill.
• The Cottages and Horizon Hospice are awesome.
• The executive director, director of nursing, and care staff are great to deal with.
• Residents are treated with dignity and respect.
• The caregivers are warm, compassionate, and actively engage residents in activities.

Cons

• The reviewer would rate it a zero.
• Some staff were nice, but others needed work.
• The med tech did not greet or acknowledge the resident at the gate.
• The nurse refused to share information because the person was not the POA.
• The aide did not engage with the resident and stayed behind her cart.
• The managers bully staff into coming in when sick.
• The executive director's language showed a lack of understanding of dementia.
• They moved their mother-in-law from another facility that neglected her.

Review

Taken together, the collected impressions of The Cottages memory care community paint a picture of a place that many families feel is warm, well cared-for, and thoughtfully designed, while also exposing pockets of concern that some residents and their loved ones have encountered. Across reviews, there is a strong, persistent thread of appreciation for the overall atmosphere, cleanliness, and the genuine care many staff members provide. Several reviewers describe the environment as welcoming, with a "warm and family-like atmosphere," and repeatedly highlight how the team goes above and beyond to make residents feel comfortable and respected. The facility's look and feel - the brand-new cottages, pleasant common areas, and well-kept grounds - also come up as a notable positive factor in many accounts, suggesting that the physical design supports a high-quality memory care experience.

On the positive side, families repeatedly praise the staff's dedication and the genuine compassion they observe. Several reviews emphasize that caregivers are kind, attentive, and capable of building trust with residents and their visitors. In particular, families note moments when staff worked hard to engage residents in activities, keep them safe, and respond to questions with patience and empathy. There is a sense that the team understands the needs of people with memory challenges and strives to treat them with dignity and respect. The facility is described as offering ample staffing on the memory care side, with caregivers who are quick to respond, communicate with families, and keep relatives informed about their loved ones' day-to-day status.

However, the testimonials also include specific critiques that temper the otherwise glowing panorama. One family recounts a troubling interaction with a med tech, where the staff member walked ahead of the resident, failed to acknowledge her, and appeared unhelpful when an inquiry about meals and medications was raised. This encounter left the family with the impression that the individual caregiver preferred to stay behind the cart rather than engage with the resident in a meaningful way. Relatedly, another reviewer describes being told that because they were not the power of attorney, certain information about their loved one could not be shared, which was experienced as dismissive and disrespectful. Taken together, these anecdotes suggest that while many caregivers are praised, there are instances where front-line staff behavior and communication could be improved to ensure every resident feels seen and attended to.

Management and organizational culture also appear as a point of contention in some reviews. One account alleges "poor treatment of staff when they are sick," with claims that managers bully workers into coming in even when ill, which understandably raises concerns about safety and morale. In contrast, other reviewers express strong faith in leadership, describing "servant leadership" and praising the dedication of executives, directors of nursing, and care teams who respond quickly to questions and keep families updated. A reviewer even notes that the facility is well-designed for memory care, and another highlights positive experiences with the executive director and nursing leadership. These competing impressions suggest that experiences may vary by unit, shift, or specific leadership at any given time, underscoring the importance of direct, ongoing conversations with the staff and administration.

Beyond day-to-day care, The Cottages receives high marks in the realm of end-of-life and palliative support from families who have experienced hospice care on site or through partnership providers. One heartfelt account describes a beloved relative who passed away at the community, with the family emphasizing that the death was not the fault of the staff and that the team's care, dignity, and empathy left a lasting, positive memory. They credit the combination of The Cottages and Horizon Hospice for offering compassionate, professional support during the final days, noting improvements in the resident's hygiene and overall comfort. Such stories reinforce the idea that, for some families, The Cottages serves as a stabilizing, compassionate environment during one of life's most difficult times.

Several reviews highlight the community's ongoing commitment to engagement and quality of life for residents. Reviewers frequently mention that residents have meaningful activities, opportunities to socialize, and a courtyard that encourages fresh air and walking. The sense of a vibrant, activity-rich environment appears to play a significant role in why families feel confident about the care their loved ones receive. A recurring theme is that even when a resident is difficult or has fluctuating days, staff remain patient, attentive, and communicative, reinforcing the perception that residents are being treated with respect and that staff are invested in their daily well-being.

In summary, The Cottages emerge from these voices as a facility that many families would recommend and return to in the future. The overall sentiment is one of warmth, clean spaces, and staff who can be remarkable - capable of delivering compassionate care, quick communication, and engaging activities that support residents' dignity and quality of life. Yet there are clear caveats: occasional negative interactions with individual staff members, concerns about how information is shared with family members who are not guardians, and some disagreements about management practices. Taken together, the community appears to offer a strong foundation for memory-care living, with considerable strengths in atmosphere, staffing dedication, and design, while also highlighting opportunities for consistent improvement in front-line interactions and leadership approach. For families considering The Cottages, touring the facility, meeting the care team, and discussing communication preferences with administration would likely provide valuable context and help align expectations with their loved one's needs.

Located in Spokane, Washington, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. With several pharmacies such as Albertsons, Walgreens, and Walmart within close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare products is convenient. There are also numerous dining options like De Leon's Taco & Bar and Maggie's South Hill Grill for seniors to enjoy meals out. For medical care, there are reputable physicians and clinics nearby such as South Hill Counseling and Providence Manito Pediatrics. Additionally, the area features peaceful parks like Duncan Gardens and Comstock Park for leisurely strolls or relaxation. Places of worship including Journey Church are also easily accessible for spiritual support. In terms of healthcare facilities, there are hospitals like St Luke's Rehabilitation Institute and Deaconess Medical Center nearby for any medical emergencies or ongoing care needs. Public transportation through the Spokane Transit Authority Sta ensures easy access to other parts of the city for errands or social outings. Overall, this part of Spokane offers a well-rounded environment with essential services and recreational opportunities for a comfortable senior living experience.

Pharmacies

• Albertsons Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Shopko Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Rosauers Supermarkets (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Community, A Walgreens Pharmacy (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

• De Leon's Taco & Bar (0.6 miles)
• Poole's Public House South (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Maggie's South Hill Grill (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Republic Pi (2.8 miles)
• Fresh Soul (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• South Hill Counseling (0.8 miles)
• Denise Pounds, MD (1.3 miles)
• Wylie D Todd OD FCOVD (2.9 miles)
• Spokane Homeopathic Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Providence Manito Pediatrics (3.5 miles)
• Laurier, Lisanne Center for Life Style Medicine and Hormone Health (3.6 miles)
• Spokane Gastroenterology (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Chaps Coffee Co. (3.6 miles)
• The Scoop (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Rocket Bakery (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Higher Ground Espresso (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Duncan Gardens (3.5 miles)
• Comstock Park (3.6 miles)
• Nishomiya Japanese Garden (3.7 miles)
• Polly Judd Park (4.9 miles)
• Riverfront Park (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Journey Church (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Spokane Kidney Center (4.1 miles)
• St Luke's Rehabilitation Institute (4.2 miles)
• Sacred Heart Medical Center Helistop Heliport (4.3 miles)
• Deaconess Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Shriners Hospitals for Children-Spokane (4.8 miles)
• Seattle Childrens Hospital (4.9 miles)

Transportation

• Spokane Transit Authority Sta (5 miles)