Alexian Village Of Tennessee

Pros

• Many staff members stayed day and night during a recent snowstorm to ensure that residents were well taken care of.
• The full-time staff at Alexian truly know and care for their residents.
• The facility provides a caring and supportive environment, with a strong sense of community among residents.
• Residents appreciate the beautiful grounds and comfortable apartments available at Alexian Village.
• The facility offers a variety of activities to stimulate different interests, contributing to a vibrant social atmosphere.
• Visitors have noted that everyone seems happy and concerned for each other's welfare within the community.
• Some residents enjoyed excellent meals and great socialization experiences in the dining halls, highlighting positive dining experiences on certain days.

Cons

• The facility is unable to accommodate common dietary restrictions consistently, leading to residents getting sick from unsafe food items.
• Staff turnover is extremely high due to poor pay, resulting in frequent staffing shortages.
• Temporary staff are brought in for care tasks like giving showers, which undermines trust and comfort for residents.
• The quality of food service has deteriorated, with many meals being underwhelming and lacking in variety and freshness.
• Management appears non-existent, with calls going directly to voicemail and little oversight of staff behavior or facilities.
• The dining experience has shifted towards buffets that are inconvenient for seniors with mobility issues, often lacking in service and quality.
• There are cleanliness concerns throughout the facility, including dirty elevators and neglected areas that appear "tired."
• Nursing staff have been described as surly and unhelpful at times, providing inconsistent levels of care across different departments.
• Food is frequently served lukewarm or cold, detracting from the dining experience.
• Employees show a lack of professionalism, such as bus drivers using cell phones while driving on-site.

Review

The reviews surrounding Alexian Village on Signal Mountain present a complex portrait of the life-care facility, revealing both commendable aspects and significant shortcomings. Many residents and their families express gratitude for the full-time staff, who demonstrate genuine concern for the well-being of their residents. One poignant instance highlighted was during a recent snowstorm when numerous staff members stayed overnight to ensure that vulnerable seniors received the care they needed. Such dedication speaks volumes about the individual commitment of employees in an environment where many are dealing with post-COVID staffing shortages. Their compassion and willingness to put personal comforts aside for the sake of their charges resonate strongly with families seeking reliable care for their loved ones.

However, not all feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Several reviewers lamented a steep decline in overall quality since Ascension Living took over management from the Alexian Brothers. Concerns regarding food service are frequently echoed across multiple reviews. Residents report inconsistency in meal quality, with some days featuring acceptable options while others serve poor-quality meals that fail to meet even basic dietary needs—such as gluten-free offerings—which have led to health issues for some residents. The transition from table service to buffet-style dining has also been a source of frustration, particularly among those with mobility challenges who find navigating buffets difficult or intimidating.

The apparent corner-cutting measures taken by management have not gone unnoticed by residents and their families either. Reviewers express disappointment at seeing pre-packaged salad dressings—even though homemade alternatives would be relatively easy to prepare—and cite frequent buffets as indicative of reduced attention to personalized service that older adults require and deserve. This shift in dining experiences reportedly diminishes what should be a highlight of daily life at the facility—a shared meal among peers—transforming it into an often frustrating ordeal that lacks warmth and attentiveness.

Staffing turnover has emerged as another significant issue impacting resident care at Alexian Village. Families have noted how low pay contributes to high turnover rates, leading to insufficient staffing levels throughout the facility and resulting in inconsistent care standards across departments including assisted living and skilled nursing. Instances were reported where made-for-temp workers were deployed for critical tasks like administering showers—a practice deemed unacceptable by many family members who argue that such intimate tasks should always be performed by known staff members who foster trust among residents.

Moreover, communication woes seem pervasive throughout Alexian Village; multiple reviewers indicate difficulty reaching administrative staff or receiving timely responses when inquiries arise regarding loved ones' care or general operations within the facility. Reports note unanswered phone calls directed towards various departments, leaving family members frustrated and unsure about how best to address concerns regarding their relatives' well-being.

For many reviewers contemplating future residency at Alexian Village, personal visits painted a seemingly positive picture yet contrasted sharply with long-term experiences shared by current or past residents’ families struggling under diminished standards over time following management changes. While elements such as beautiful grounds, physical facilities designed for recreation, activities geared toward diverse interests—like exercise programs—were highlighted positively upon initial inspections or visitation experiences, consistent commentary emphasized a need for systemic improvements in staffing policies, food service quality, responsiveness from administration concerning urgent inquiries all reflecting an urgent necessity for change if this community wishes to retain its reputation moving forward.

In summary, Alexian Village stands out through heartwarming accounts centered around dedicated staff but is marred by significant operational shortcomings that impact daily life within its walls—from insufficient food service quality and lapses in care due to staffing issues down through administrative disconnects that inhibit effective communication between caregivers/families alike. Families weighing this facility must weigh these factors carefully against their expectations regarding senior care environments amidst rising concerns about accountability among those tasked with delivering proper support systems necessary for ensuring dignified living conditions within such establishments meant primarily for elder populations seeking both comfort alongside competent assistance during later stages of life’s journey.

This part of Signal Mountain, Tennessee is a convenient and well-equipped area for senior living. With two hospitals nearby, Erlanger Hospital and Memorial Hospital, residents have easy access to medical care. There are also several reputable physicians offices in the vicinity, such as CHI Memorial Integrative Medicine Associates and Chattanooga Allergy Clinic. For dining options, there are various restaurants including River Drifters and Amigo Mexican Restaurant. Places of worship like Signal Crest United Methodist Church and Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church provide spiritual support. Additionally, pharmacies like Walmart Pharmacy and Walgreens are within a short distance for medication needs. Parks like Coolidge Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Overall, this area offers a range of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to settle in Signal Mountain.

Hospitals

• Erlanger Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Memorial Hospital (3 miles)
• Erlanger NICU (6.6 miles)
• Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• River Drifters (0.9 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (2.7 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (3.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.8 miles)
• Wendy's (3.8 miles)
• Amigo Mexican Restaurant (3.8 miles)
• Dub's Place (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Signal Mountain Baptist Church (1.5 miles)
• Signal Crest United Methodist Church (1.6 miles)
• Signal Mountain Bible Church (3.2 miles)
• Stuart Heights Baptist Church (5.1 miles)
• St Jude Catholic Church (5.6 miles)
• Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church (6.2 miles)
• First-Centenary United Methodist Church (6.2 miles)

Physicians

• CHI Memorial Integrative Medicine Associates - Signal Mountain (2.4 miles)
• Becker Stephan M MD - UT Erlanger Behavioral Health (3.5 miles)
• U T Erlanger Health & Wellness Of Signal Mountain (3.8 miles)
• Medican Associates PC (5.3 miles)
• Paul M Holliday, DDS (5.6 miles)
• Chattanooga Allergy Clinic (5.8 miles)
• Chattanooga Endoscopy Center (6.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Rembrandt's Coffee House (5.8 miles)
• Cadence Coffee Company (6 miles)
• Goodman Coffee Roasters (6.4 miles)
• Mean Mug Coffeehouse (6.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (5.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.7 miles)
• Access Medical Equipment (6.1 miles)
• Access Pharmacy (6.1 miles)
• Access Family Pharmacy (6.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.4 miles)

Parks

• Red Bank Dog Park (4.3 miles)
• Stringer's Ridge Park (4.4 miles)
• Renaissance Park (5.2 miles)
• Coolidge Park (5.3 miles)
• Bluff view river walk entrance (5.9 miles)