Gig Harbor Memory Care

Pros

• The staff at Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence are described as incredibly caring, loving, and professional, providing peace of mind for families.
• Residents are seen interacting positively with staff, demonstrating a warm and engaging atmosphere within the facility.
• The facility is consistently praised for its cleanliness, with no unpleasant odors reported during visits.
• Activities tailored to individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia are actively offered, keeping residents engaged and stimulated.
• Families express gratitude for the attentive care their loved ones receive, highlighting individual recognition by the staff.
• Many visitors appreciate the precautions taken for resident safety and health, especially during pandemic conditions.

Cons

• The facility could not meet the needs of a resident and evicted him after only three months, causing significant pain and distress for his family.
• The initial tour seemed generic and shifted in tone when discussing Medicaid, indicating a dollar-driven attitude rather than genuine care.
• There have been complaints about variability in care correlated with leadership changes, raising concerns about neglect.
• A resident experienced painful injuries and lack of communication regarding her health status, leading to emergency situations that were not addressed by staff.
• There are accusations that the facility prioritizes its license and manageable residents over the actual well-being of those in their care.
• A lack of adequate bathing for residents was noted, suggesting insufficient attention to personal hygiene.
• Staff members only work weekdays, raising concerns about consistency and availability during weekends.

Review

Finding an appropriate care facility for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can be an arduous and emotional journey. Several families have shared their experiences, showcasing the stark contrast between facilities like Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence (OAR) and others that fall short of compassionate care. A particularly disheartening experience was reported by a spouse who had to seek alternative care for their partner after just three months at a different facility. The family was promised quality care but instead experienced what they described as neglect and unprofessionalism, leading to distressing consequences for both the patient and the family. This particular facility's actions left deep scars, prompting the family to warn local caregiving companies and organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association about their poor practices, which they felt were driven more by profit than genuine concern for residents’ well-being.

In contrast, OAR has received positive feedback from multiple families who found solace in the kindness and professionalism of its staff. Many praised the bright and cheerful environment of the residence, noting how activities are tailored specifically for individuals with memory impairments. Visitors were welcomed by enthusiastic staff members engaged in various activities with residents, further affirming OAR's commitment to providing engaging and interactive opportunities to enhance their residents' quality of life. Families expressed gratitude for how well their loved ones were cared for at OAR, emphasizing that it provided not just skilled nursing but also a nurturing atmosphere.

One mother searching for a suitable place for her daughter on Medicaid found herself frustrated during her interactions with OAR. Although she initially felt welcomed during her tour, when financial discussions arose regarding her daughter’s Medicaid status, she sensed a shift in attitude from the staff, making her feel less valued. After being informed that they would assess her mother only to later deny admission due to behavioral concerns—a decision interpreted as financially motivated—she became disappointed with what she perceived as a lack of transparency in OAR's admissions process.

Despite varying reports regarding leadership changes affecting staff satisfaction within OAR over time, many families remained confident that their loved ones received adequate attention and individualized care. One caregiver noted consistent communication from staff members who kept them informed about medical needs while maintaining an emotionally supportive atmosphere within the facility. Even long-distance caregivers felt reassured knowing that their friends or relatives were treated with dignity and respect amidst challenges triggered by dementia.

The cleanliness of facilities like OAR stood out positively among reviewers; residents often remarked upon how well-kept common areas were and appreciated efforts made by staff to maintain hygiene standards consistently throughout the premises. However, one glaring criticism emerged concerning bathing schedules—several reviews indicated there was room for improvement in ensuring residents received timely personal hygiene assistance on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, not all experiences with OAR have been positive; there have also been alarming accounts regarding inadequate care resulting in severe repercussions for some residents’ health conditions elsewhere, raising serious questions about the overall accountability in eldercare facilities across different regions. Reports highlighted painful neglect that left patients unable to walk or communicate effectively while medical emergencies went unaddressed due to possible negligence from staff members unwillingly reporting incidents caused under their watch.

Ultimately, navigating through contrasting experiences reflected in these reviews draws attention not only toward excellent establishments like Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence but emphasizes vital lessons learned from negative encounters elsewhere in memory care housing options available today—the need for transparency during admissions processes paired with ethical standards upheld diligently so every resident remains safe while receiving loving support tailored uniquely around individual needs remains crucial moving forward into future caregiving endeavors.

Physicians

• Dr Jonathan L. Ritson, MD (0.4 miles)
• Pacific Northwest Eye Associates (1.5 miles)
• Harbor Pediatrics (1.5 miles)
• Franciscan Ear, Nose & Throat Associates - Gig Harbor (1.5 miles)
• Hill Kathy Harbor Pediatrics (1.5 miles)
• Optimal Wellness (1.7 miles)
• Donner Charles S MD (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Safeway Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Pharmacy Compounding Solutions (3.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Five Mile Drive (2 miles)
• Point Defiance Park (2.1 miles)
• Kandle Park (2.5 miles)
• Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park (2.5 miles)
• Titlow Park (2.7 miles)
• Ancich Waterfront Park (3.6 miles)
• Eddon Boat Park (3.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Anthony's At Point Defiance (2.4 miles)
• The Beach Tavern At Titlow (2.7 miles)
• Boathouse 19 (2.9 miles)
• Tides Tavern (3.2 miles)
• The Harbor General Store (3.2 miles)
• El Pueblito (3.3 miles)
• Peaks and Pints (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Gig Harbor Ambulatory Surg Center (2.5 miles)
• MultiCare (4.6 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (5.2 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (5.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church (3.7 miles)
• Agnus Dei Lutheran Church (4.9 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (5.1 miles)

Theaters

• Grand Cinema (5.6 miles)