Holiday Briarcrest Estates

Pros

• Residents feel welcomed and quickly become part of the community, forming friendships and participating in activities.
• The meals are locally prepared, tasty, and include a variety of options with snacks available throughout the day.
• The staff is friendly, accommodating, and genuinely cares about the residents' well-being.
• Tours of the facility are informative and pressure-free, providing a welcoming experience for potential new residents.
• Many residents appreciate the community's clean environment and ongoing plans for renovations to update living spaces and common areas.
• The array of activities offered keeps residents engaged and allows them to learn new games while making new friends.
• Previous visitors noted that many residents seemed happy in their surroundings, contributing to a calm atmosphere.
• Overall positive experiences with both independent living options and supportive services for those needing additional assistance.

Cons

• The staffing changes at Briarcrest Estates are excessive, leading to a lack of services that residents have paid for.
• One resident felt the facility looked and smelled like a nursing home and reported small portion sizes of food, causing weight loss.
• There have been complaints regarding insufficient cleaning due to staffing shortages, with some residents waiting weeks without cleaning services.
• A reviewer expressed disappointment that the available apartments were far from the main area, making it difficult for those with limited mobility to access necessary amenities.
• A resident mentioned feeling depressed and lonely after experiencing a lack of support during their stay.
• Another reviewer harshly criticized the community, stating they do not recommend Briarcrest Estates and felt misled about the quality of care provided.
• A user remarked they would move out if they could, indicating strong dissatisfaction with their living situation.

Review

Briarcrest Estates, a senior independent living community, has received a wide array of reviews from both current residents and those who have toured the facility. Many express positive sentiments about the welcoming atmosphere and friendly community spirit that seem to permeate the halls. Many new residents report feeling accepted almost immediately; one individual noted they quickly met most of their neighbors within three days and had even begun participating in activities such as bridge club. This sense of community is often bolstered by staff interactions as well; employees are described as accommodating, helpful, and genuinely concerned for the residents' welfare. One resident appreciated receiving a book about New York City from a dining room employee after expressing nostalgia over their former home.

The meals at Briarcrest Estates consistently receive praise for their quality and variety. Residents enjoy locally prepared dishes along with all-day access to fresh fruit and snacks like jello. The dining area may be described as basic yet inviting, while some visitors observed that portion sizes could be small—leading to concerns among some friends about weight loss in their loved ones. Despite these mixed signals regarding meal portions, it is clear that many appreciate the menu options and food quality overall.

While many aspects of Briarcrest Estates seem beneficial, there are also concerns regarding the physical conditions of the grounds and units themselves. Some reviews mention that the building feels dated; carpets, fixtures, and other elements need updating—a situation that management reportedly plans to address soon with renovations on the horizon. However, this need for modernization did not deter numerous prospective residents from considering Briarcrest; some found it clean despite its age and felt it formed a close-knit community distinct from larger facilities.

Several reviewers discussed space constraints in apartments—especially in studio units—which they found tight but acceptable given budget limitations or personal needs for downsizing. On this note, one resident highlighted how moving into Briarcrest met specific needs without compromising safety or comfort despite being wheelchair-bound. Another reviewer mentioned feelings of security associated with having key access locked during evening hours but expressed concerns due to an absence of security cameras throughout the facility—a point raised again by others who compared Briarcrest’s measures unfavorably against those observed at different facilities.

Staff turnover rates emerged as a concern for some reviewers who remarked on inconsistency affecting service availability throughout various operations. Complaints about regular room cleaning lapses were common; though when staff were present, they performed high-quality work according to several accounts. Overall experiences varied widely based on staffing levels rather than specific issues directly related to facility conditions or resident enjoyment levels.

While there are certainly individuals who celebrated their time at Briarcrest Estates—including one person celebrating newfound friendships through engagement in activities—the opposing sentiment was starkly illustrated by negative reviews describing significant discontent amongst certain residents and their families concerning care standards offered within the facility itself. Reports surfaced mentioning lack of cleaning services over extended stays leading to complications with health outcomes alongside feelings of isolation experienced by some living arrangements within its walls.

In summary, Briarcrest Estates represents a diverse picture: on one hand lies an engaging environment promoting independence enriched through camaraderie amongst peers coupled with attentive staff members making every effort possible towards comfort-enhancing accommodation experiences; whereas opposing voices caution potential applicants against overlooking budgeting realities paired alongside tangible operational challenges needing immediate resolution before further recommendations can hold merit towards any ongoing interest in future residency opportunities amid evolving circumstances within this independent living setting.

This part of Ballwin, Missouri offers a convenient location with easy access to pharmacies such as CVS and multiple dining options including Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant and The Cheesecake Factory. Nearby parks like Vlasis Park and Queeny County Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. There are also several cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. For medical needs, there are physicians offices like Orthopedic Associates and hospitals like St John's Mercy Surgery Center in close proximity. Transportation services are available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car for easy travel around the area. Overall, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that may be suitable for senior living.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Dierbergs (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Schnucks (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Mercy Pharmacy - Dierbergs Manchester (1.8 miles)
• Stoogez (2 miles)
• St Louis Bread Co. (2.5 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (2.9 miles)
• Andy's Frozen Custard (2.9 miles)
• Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Vlasis Park (1.8 miles)
• Queeny County Park (2.1 miles)
• Chesterfield Central Park (3.1 miles)
• Faust Park (3.2 miles)
• New Ballwin Park (3.3 miles)
• Ferris Park (3.7 miles)
• Des Peres Park (4.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Christ-Lafayette (2.6 miles)
• St John Church (3.6 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.8 miles)
• Million Air (7.1 miles)
• TAC Air (7.2 miles)

Physicians

• Orthopedic Associates (4.4 miles)
• St John's Mercy Medical Center (5.5 miles)
• Town Center Dermatology (6.1 miles)
• Wildwood Internal Medicine (6.1 miles)
• Christopher Kling, MD (6.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St John's Mercy Surgery Center (4.8 miles)
• Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital (5 miles)