Island Grove Guest Home II

Pros

• The community is conveniently located just two minutes away from the reviewer’s home, providing easy access to visit their parents.
• Most residents, staff, and administration are friendly and treat the residents well during visits.
• The rooms are always kept clean, and the staff ensures that beds are made and clothes are washed regularly.
• The facility offers engaging activities such as piano performances, bingo games with prizes, and exercise classes for residents.
• A few staff members are noteworthy for their positive interactions and care towards the residents.

Cons

• The staff often ignores residents' needs and fails to provide adequate assistance.
• Residents are told to "Just go in [their] Depends" instead of receiving proper help when needed.
• Both parents frequently suffer from urinary tract infections due to lack of care and attention.
• The staff dismisses requests to see a doctor, saying the residents do not need medical attention.
• Residents are left in bed for extended periods with minimal activity, which is detrimental to their well-being.
• The food portions served are small and lack nutrition, contributing to weight loss among residents.
• Some staff members are not proficient in English, leading to communication barriers.
• There is a noticeable shortage of staff, resulting in inadequate care for the residents.

Review

Choosing a community for loved ones is a significant decision that often involves weighing multiple factors, including proximity, care quality, and overall environment. In this case, the reviewer selected a facility primarily because it is conveniently located just two minutes away from their home. This proximity has allowed the reviewer to visit their parents frequently and closely monitor their well-being. During these visits, they have observed that both residents and staff appear friendly and welcoming, which creates an atmosphere that seems pleasant on the surface.

The cleanliness of the facility plays an important role in its perceived quality. The reviewer notes that the rooms are consistently maintained and tidy; beds are straightened daily, and laundry is managed effectively. Such attention to cleanliness can significantly impact residents' comfort and satisfaction levels. Furthermore, the community offers a variety of recreational activities aimed at engaging residents. These include live piano music, regular bingo games with prizes, and exercise classes designed to promote physical health among seniors.

However, despite these seemingly positive aspects of the community, the reviewer was compelled to give it a low rating of 2 due to several critical issues they have personally witnessed involving care provision. Central to their concerns is the lack of adequate support for residents who require additional assistance—such as their blind mother—to navigate around the facility safely. Disturbingly, when assistance was requested for basic needs like going to the bathroom, staff reportedly responded with dismissive suggestions instead of offering help. This kind of neglect raises serious questions about how resident needs are being prioritized within this facility.

The implications of inadequate assistance extend beyond mere inconvenience; they have tangible consequences on residents’ health. The review highlights that both parents experience frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may be exacerbated by insufficient help with bathroom access or hygiene practices. Alarmingly, when medical attention has been solicited by the residents themselves—specifically requests to see doctors—the response from staff has been blatantly dismissive: they simply state that medical visits aren’t necessary. Such disregard for medical needs could potentially lead to worsening health conditions for vulnerable residents who rely on care services.

Another worrying aspect brought forth by the reviewer is related to resident activity levels and nutrition. The report suggests a troubling trend where many residents seem confined to bed for extended periods throughout the day rather than being encouraged to engage more actively in community life or personal interests. Although there are meal times where residents are taken out of bed briefly, soon after those occasions they return back to inactivity—a routine that could significantly affect both physical well-being and mental engagement among older adults.

Perhaps most distressing is what appears to be a significant decline in one resident's nutritional status; over just one month’s time frame, there has been an alarming 20-pound weight loss experienced by the reviewer’s mother. It's unclear whether this weight loss stems from unappetizing meals provided by the facility or insufficient guidance from staff during mealtime—a crucial period where assistance should be readily available for those who may struggle with self-feeding due to physical limitations.

In conclusion, while this particular community possesses some appealing qualities such as cleanliness and friendly interactions among staff members, substantial problems overshadow these positives. With short-staffing resulting in inadequate support for individual needs—and dire implications on not only health but also dignity—the overall recommendation leans heavily against choosing this facility for anyone seeking reliable care for elderly loved ones facing similar challenges.

This part of El Cajon, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for senior living. There are several places of worship nearby for spiritual fulfillment, as well as pharmacies and medical clinics within close proximity for easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts a selection of restaurants, cafes, and theaters for enjoyable outings with friends and family. Additionally, there are beautiful parks where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. With hospitals and transportation options nearby, this neighborhood provides convenience and comfort for older individuals looking to settle in a welcoming community.

Places of Worship

• El Camino Grace Church (0.5 miles)
• Foothills Christian Church (2 miles)
• Skyline Church (3.3 miles)
• Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Cathollc Church (6 miles)
• Corpus Christi Church (9.1 miles)

Physicians

• Fereshteh Jahanpanah Medical Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Dr Dominguez And Dr Ancona-Young Office (1.2 miles)
• Elahe Toulouie, MD (2.6 miles)
• Pushpanjalie Wijeratne, MD (2.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Vandever Medical Offices (7.7 miles)
• NBHC Eastlake (9.2 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Viewridge Medical Offices 2 (9.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Mal Al Sham (0.7 miles)
• Black Bear Diner El Cajon (1.4 miles)
• Brigantine Seafood Restaurants (1.9 miles)
• Saray Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.3 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Sharp Grossmont Hospital Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• The Simple Coffee House (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (9.8 miles)
• Communal Coffee (10.4 miles)

Parks

• Mount Helix Park (1.7 miles)
• Shadow Hill Park (3.7 miles)
• Town Center Community Park (4.3 miles)
• Civita Park (10.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Sharp Grossmont Hospital Brier Patch (2.2 miles)
• Stanford Court Nursing (3.4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center/Kaiser Foundation Hospital (7.5 miles)
• Sharp Soc (9.7 miles)
• Rady Children's Hospital (10.7 miles)
• Rady's Children's Hospital San Diego Large Waiting Room, Frost Street, Entrance 8 (10.8 miles)

Transportation

• Grossmont Transit Center (2.6 miles)
• Montgomery Field Airport (MYF) (10.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Mission Valley 2 (10.7 miles)