Rio Grande Inn

Pros

• The facility is beautiful and has a homey atmosphere.
• The family appreciated the convenience of being closer to their grandmother.
• Having a private room made the experience more comfortable for the grandmother.
• Some staff members were known by the family, which provided reassurance about her care.
• Family members enjoyed spending time with their grandmother during meal times, helping her eat and maintain connection.

Cons

• The CNAs were rude and lacked patience and compassion for the elderly, treating their work merely as a paycheck.
• My grandmother was left on the toilet for hours and her call for help was ignored.
• Cold plates of food were often left in front of my grandmother, raising concerns about whether she was actually being fed.
• Staff often claimed they couldn't get her to eat, which made the family question if they were neglecting her during mealtime.
• Despite the facility's welcoming appearance, there was a significant lack of general compassion from the staff toward residents.

Review

The decision to move a loved one into an assisted living facility is often accompanied by mixed emotions, particularly when considering both the benefits of proximity and the quality of care provided. In this case, the family chose a brand new facility for their grandmother, excited by its modern amenities and welcoming atmosphere. The hope was that being closer to home would allow for more frequent visits and support for their beloved matriarch. Upon entering the facility, they noted its beauty and the fresh feel of being newly constructed, which contributed to an environment that felt somewhat homely despite being a care setting. Additionally, having acquaintances among the staff provided a sense of comfort; knowing that familiar faces were around gave them confidence in her care.

However, as time went on, several troubling experiences emerged that cast shadows over their initial impressions. While many staff members seemed genuinely caring, there were significant instances involving Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who displayed alarming levels of rudeness and impatience towards residents. These interactions suggested a troubling trend where some CNAs viewed their responsibilities merely as a job rather than a vocation requiring empathy and understanding. For elderly residents like the grandmother—who had retained her mental faculties but faced communication challenges—this lack of compassion could be devastating.

One particularly distressing episode highlighted how direly attention was needed in caregiving situations. On one occasion, her family discovered that she had been left on the toilet for hours after pulling the emergency cord for assistance—a situation that no elderly resident should have to endure. This neglect not only raised questions about staffing ratios and attentiveness but also about overall culture within the facility regarding patient dignity and respect. The family noted similar situations involving other residents during their visits, further deepening their concerns about institutional oversight.

Meal times presented another area of worry regarding her care quality. While it was not expected of family members to routinely assist with feeding her, they took it upon themselves to be present during meals whenever possible. They observed disturbing patterns: occasionally returning to find her food cold and uneaten in front of her or hearing from staff that she refused to eat without evidence supporting those claims. This sparked suspicion within the family—was she genuinely unable or unwilling to eat on her own? Or was there an underlying issue with staff engagement or commitment during meal times?

Their grandmother's fragile health compounded these worries significantly; weighing only between 75 and 80 pounds meant that consistent nutrition was vital for maintaining what little strength she had left. When relatives were not able to visit at mealtimes due to conflicting schedules or obligations, they couldn't shake off the anxiety that perhaps staff members might not always fulfill these essential tasks out of apathy rather than necessity.

In conclusion, while the assisted living facility boasted many appealing characteristics such as cleanliness and aesthetic appeal along with commendable staff members who did show genuine concern for residents' well-being, deeper issues loomed large in terms of compassion-driven care. The family's experience ultimately resulted in a disappointing three-star rating based on these significant lapses in compassionate caregiving practices amongst certain staff members—reminding us all how vital it is for caretakers in such settings to approach their work with kindness and dedication towards those entrusted into their hands.

Located in La Jara, Colorado, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With Conejos County Hospital just 0.1 miles away, residents have easy access to medical care. There are also several pharmacies nearby for convenience. The community is rich in dining options, such as Val's Place and Dos Hermanas, providing a range of culinary choices. Places of worship like The United Church of La Jara and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church offer spiritual support. Transportation options include U-Haul rentals and taxi services for ease of mobility. For entertainment, there are theaters like Sky Hi 6 Theatres and parks such as Rio Grande Farm Park for leisure activities. Overall, this area provides a supportive and vibrant environment for seniors looking to settle down in La Jara.

Hospitals

• Conejos County Hospital (0.1 miles)
• San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center (15.2 miles)
• Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake (22.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Subway (0.7 miles)
• Val's Place (6.4 miles)
• Fernandez Chili Co. (12.4 miles)
• Dos Hermanas (13.2 miles)
• Ef's Restaurant (14.5 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (15 miles)
• Domino's (15 miles)

Pharmacies

• La Jara Pharmaceutical (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (15.1 miles)
• City Market Pharmacy (15.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• The United Church of La Jara (1 miles)
• St Therese Of The Child Jesus Manassa (6.5 miles)
• Alamosa Christian Reformed Church (11.7 miles)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (12.4 miles)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (13 miles)
• Alamosa First Ward LDS Church (15.1 miles)
• Christian Science Society (15.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (13 miles)
• Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (13.6 miles)
• San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) (13.7 miles)
• Great Lakes Airlines (13.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (14.9 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (15.2 miles)
• Little Stinkers Taxi Cab Service (15.2 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe del Valle (13.1 miles)
• Wake and Bake (14.5 miles)
• Monterrey Cafe (15 miles)
• Smoothy's Juice Bar (15 miles)
• Starbucks (15.1 miles)
• Milagros Coffeehouse (15.2 miles)

Physicians

• Conejos County Medical Clinic (13.2 miles)
• Blue Peaks Development Services (13.3 miles)
• Zickefoose M Susan MD - Convenient Care Community Clinic (15.1 miles)
• Valley Wide Health Systems (15.1 miles)
• ABBA Eyecare (15.1 miles)
• Women's Health Ob/gyn (15.1 miles)
• Slvrmc Pediatrics Clinic (15.1 miles)

Theaters

• Sky Hi 6 Theatres (15.6 miles)

Parks

• Rio Grande Farm Park (15.8 miles)
• Blanca Vista Park (16 miles)
• Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (18.3 miles)
• Ski Hi Park (23.1 miles)
• Montez park (23.6 miles)