Rennisance Memory Care

Pros

• Windcrest has an amazing community with friendly residents and professional staff.
• The staff interactions with residents are consistently compassionate.
• Windcrest provides high-quality care that uplifts seniors.
• The in-home health care team at Windcrest is supportive, compassionate, and professional.
• Windcrest offers a wide range of activities and nine dining options with good food.
• Windcrest is highly recommended and considered among the best in the nation.

Cons

• Windcrest is described as a terrible place and unprofessional.
• The facility charges 12k per month for assisted living with no timely bathroom assistance, forcing family members to drive hours to provide care.
• Craig Erickson is criticized for not returning calls from families or local media.
• The place is said to be under investigation and likely to be shut down soon.
• Reviewers claim there are lots of false promises, short staffing, and improper care.
• It is labeled a joke, with staff always short-staffed and the facility caring more about money than residents.
• The memory care offering is not suitable for middle- to late-stage dementia; it's essentially assisted living with high costs and inadequate 24/7 care.
• It is alleged that a 14-year-old was hired, violating state law.
• There are accusations of sketchy data practices and a money-hungry, fee-heavy operation.

Review

Windcrest presents itself in the marketplace as a continuing care community with a striking mix of glowing praise and hard-edged criticism. On one hand, many reviewers describe it as a place where residents become part of a warm, active, supportive community. They speak of friendly residents and staff, a professional and caring approach, and an environment they find uplifting and reassuring for loved ones who need ongoing care. The overall sentiment from these voices is that Windcrest can be an excellent setting for retirement, with opportunities to stay engaged, participate in activities, and enjoy the company of neighbors and caregivers who seem genuinely invested in the well-being of the people they serve. For some families, the experience is characterized by appreciation for staff kindness, a welcoming atmosphere, and a sense that their relatives are receiving quality attention and care.

Several reviewers highlight specific positives that contribute to a sense of thriving and safety. Comments emphasize the compassionate interactions between staff and residents, noting that care is delivered with empathy and a focus on staying socially and physically active. The community is praised for its extensive activity options and dining flexibility, including multiple dining venues and menus that appeal to varied tastes. In particular, one account lauds the independent living experience, saying it's possible to build a fulfilling routine with a robust social calendar, exercise classes, and access to rehabilitation services when needed. There are also mentions of successful handling of COVID-related precautions, a well-regarded rehab facility, and a general impression that the environment can support a high quality of life for those who move in with the right expectations.

Positive anecdotes extend to events and accessibility features that some residents and family members find especially meaningful. A reviewer notes a well-executed production with a hearing loop and clear audio for those using telecoils, illustrating a level of attention to accessibility that can be rare in senior living settings. Another family member writes about thriving in independent living, feeling welcomed by building neighbors, and appreciating the ability to dine and participate in activities at one's own pace. Taken together, these stories paint Windcrest as a place where the social fabric and amenities can help a resident flourish and where families see tangible benefits in daily life.

Yet the picture is far from uniform, and a substantial portion of the feedback centers on serious concerns. Several reviews raise alarm about cost and the perception of financial pressure. They describe steep monthly charges, for example, noting numbers like 12,000 per month for a single person in assisted living and additional daily fees, along with frustration that care does not always seem commensurate with those costs. Some family members report that relatives require assistance during basic tasks such as bathroom breaks and that they must drive long distances to provide timely support, which underscores a broader worry about staffing levels and the consistency of daily care.

Other critiques focus on communication failures and perceived misalignment between promises and reality. A recurring complaint is that some staff members do not return calls, leading to a sense of neglect or being left in limbo during important inquiries. One reviewer describes a public figure or administrator as unresponsive to family inquiries and media requests, fueling a distrust that extends beyond individual experiences to questions about governance and accountability. There are also reports of short-staffing contributing to gaps in care and to what reviewers view as a pattern of unmet expectations and "false promises" about services and timelines.

The memory care narrative in particular draws strong concern. A number of reviewers warn prospective families away from Windcrest for loved ones with middle- to late-stage dementia, arguing that the advertised "memory care" offerings are effectively more suitable for earlier-stage dementia and that those with advancing needs end up in skilled nursing or require out-of-pocket expenses that may far exceed what families anticipated. The criticism emphasizes that dementia progression can outpace the level of care available within the memory care designation, urging thorough, careful comparison with other facilities.

Accusations about the business model and ethics appear in several long-form reviews. Some voices describe a predatory-feel pricing structure, with a barrage of fees and a sense that corporate priorities trump the needs of residents. The strongest language targets the administration and what some readers call a lack of genuine integrity, a defense of a 501(c)(3) status they argue is used to justify ongoing monetization rather than charitable care. Descriptions range from "money-hungry" to "fee after fee," with warnings to prospective residents and families to thoroughly verify policies, charges, and the true nature of the organization before committing.

Work and staffing experiences add another dimension to the critique. A couple of reviews recount personal experiences of employees facing discrimination or feeling undervalued, including accusations of racism and concerns about diverse representation. One account mentions a negative employment experience with poor responsiveness to applicants for management roles. There are also pointed remarks about hiring practices, including a claim that a 14-year-old was employed on-site in violation of state law, which if accurate would raise serious compliance concerns. Taken together, these comments depict a workplace culture some perceive as less than inclusive or professional, even as other reviewers acknowledge kind staff and positive resident interactions.

Despite the breadth of complaints, there are also balanced voices that remind readers Windcrest is not monolithic in its performance or reputation. Some reviewers note that the in-home health care company contracted through Windcrest has been supportive and professional, though they acknowledge occasional limitations in availability or the need to source outside help. The sentiment here is that while caregivers can be excellent, systemic constraints - like staffing levels or scheduling - can influence the consistency and scope of care. And in a few narratives, families close with gratitude for the care their loved ones receive in independent living and rehabilitation, signaling that individual experiences can vary widely within the same community.

In sum, Windcrest emerges as a place of paradox: many residents and families speak warmly of a vibrant, caring environment with extensive amenities, generous activity calendars, and attentive staff who make the effort to preserve independence and social connection. Others warn that high costs, uneven care, communication gaps, and questions about governance or ethics can overshadow the positives. Prospective residents and their families are therefore advised to conduct thorough due diligence: closely examine memory-care offerings and care levels, verify all fees and policies in writing, speak directly with current residents and families about daily experiences, review staffing and leadership responsiveness, and assess how the community handles transitions into higher levels of care. The reality at Windcrest, as reflected in these reviews, is that it can be a wonderful home for some, while for others it may not meet expectations or needs, depending on individual circumstances, funding, and the specific care requirements of a loved one.

This specific area of Highlands Ranch, Colorado offers a variety of amenities within close proximity, making it convenient for senior living. There are several restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A, Max Taps, and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers nearby, providing easy dining options. Additionally, there are multiple Walgreens pharmacies in the vicinity for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. The area also boasts several parks like Spearwood Park and Bluffs Regional Park, perfect for outdoor activities and recreation. For medical care, there are reputable physicians and hospitals nearby such as UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital and Kaiser Permanente. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of services and entertainment options that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.7 miles)
• Max Taps (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.5 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (2.6 miles)
• Big Bill's New York Pizza (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• King Soopers Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Spearwood Park (1.1 miles)
• Bluffs Regional Park (3.7 miles)
• Daniels Park (4.8 miles)
• Chatfield State Park (6.2 miles)
• Sierra Ridge Park (7.4 miles)
• Centennial Center Park (7.5 miles)
• Rosamond Park (7.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Pax Christi Catholic Church (2 miles)
• Mission Hills Church (3 miles)
• Temple Sinai (8.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Highlands Ranch 24 (2.5 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Littleton (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Alta Vista Dermatology (2.7 miles)
• Panorama Orthopedics (2.8 miles)
• Corneal Consultants of Colorado PC (3 miles)
• South Denver Cardiology Associates (3.1 miles)
• Centennial Family Care (4 miles)
• Colorado Center For Reproductive Medicine (4.3 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital (2.8 miles)
• Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Black Rock Coffee Bar (7 miles)

Transportation

• Arapahoe Light Rail Station (5.6 miles)