Autumn Lake Healthcare At Norwalk

Pros

• The facility at Autumn Lake is large and features nice landscaping, providing an inviting atmosphere for rehabilitation.
• Staff members at Autumn Lake demonstrate caring attitudes and build good relationships with patients.
• The in-house rehabilitation and physical therapy services at Autumn Lake are described as excellent.
• Patients have access to a variety of food options that are considered very good.
• Autumn Lake maintains cleanliness throughout the facility, with a dedicated cleaning crew ensuring bathrooms and common areas are well-kept.
• The facility offers engaging activities, including games like bingo and live music performances for residents.
• Aurora Senior Living has positive, professional staff members who contribute to a welcoming environment.

Cons

• The facility is not equipped to properly treat patients recovering from joint replacement surgery.
• There were inadequate bathroom facilities, lacking a commode with a raised seat, forcing the patient to urinate standing up.
• Ice packs essential for recovery were not available, and the one provided was not frozen when received.
• Wheelchairs had faulty locks, posing a risk to patient safety.
• Staffing shortages resulted in delayed responses to call bells, with some patients waiting for pain medication for over an hour.
• Communication within the facility was poor, especially during pandemic conditions.
• Despite good care mentioned by some reviewers, there were indications that staff appeared overworked and short-staffed overall.
• The room was small and lacked adequate storage space for personal belongings.
• The overall value for money was questioned by some reviewers, suggesting it might not justify the cost of extended stays.

Review

The experiences of patients and their families at rehabilitation facilities can vary widely, as demonstrated by the contrasting accounts of services provided by Autumn Lake Healthcare in Norwalk. One patient expressed a deeply negative experience during a five-day stay post-total knee replacement, while another family member reported a much more favorable impression of the same facility following an extended stay for rehabilitation.

The first review paints a particularly concerning picture of care received after joint replacement surgery. The patient outlined a series of fundamental inadequacies within the facility, starting with the lack of essential equipment such as raised toilet seats. This oversight forced the patient to urinate standing up, creating unnecessary discomfort and risk during recovery. The importance of having appropriate aids cannot be overstated—having access to adaptive bathroom fixtures is critical for individuals recovering from major surgeries like total knee replacements.

Furthermore, the patient highlighted deficiencies related to ice therapy. Ice packs are vital for reducing swelling and managing pain post-surgery, yet this facility lacked access to crushed ice machines or sufficient adequate ice packs in their physical therapy area. On one occasion, an ice pack was given that had not even been frozen properly; consequently, when removed from the patient's skin, it was still warm. Such lapses indicate serious shortcomings in both preparation and provision of standard postoperative care practices.

Another alarming issue raised was regarding safety measures within the facility's equipment. Faulty wheelchairs with unreliable locks posed a significant danger to all patients but became particularly evident when one roommate fell while trying to get out of her chair due to this hazard, resulting in severe injuries that required multiple staff members' assistance for her recovery. Such incidents underscore potential negligence regarding patient safety that can severely impact individuals already managing complex health challenges during rehab.

In contrast to this negative testimony stood glowing reviews from family members who described positive experiences at Autumn Lake Healthcare. For example, one reviewer noted that their spouse spent 100 days there and received attentive care despite occasional staffing shortages—a point acknowledged by many facilities during an era plagued by COVID-19-related challenges across healthcare systems nationwide. They appreciated several amenities including landscaped grounds, good food options, private rooms with attached bathrooms, and engaging recreational activities such as games and musical performances facilitated throughout the week.

Moreover, consistent praise emerged regarding the cleanliness and orderly maintenance of the facility itself; regular cleaning crews made rounds ensuring sanitary conditions were upheld throughout common areas and personal spaces alike. These aspects contribute significantly toward fostering a nurturing environment where patients can feel comfortable during their rehabilitation journey. Families appreciated organized programs designed not only for physical healing through onsite gyms but also social interactions among residents which tend to brighten spirits in challenging times—factors essential for holistic health outcomes.

However, while care quality appeared satisfactory overall according to some visitors' testimonials—featuring dedicated staff striving under pressure—communication issues were frequently cited as needing improvement amidst pandemic constraints. Overworked employees occasionally led to lapses in information dissemination between families and staff or delays in response times concerning medical needs or general inquiries about rehabilitation schedules or progress updates on loved ones receiving treatment.

Ultimately these diverse accounts serve as compelling narratives illustrating two very different facets of what could be expected at Autumn Lake Healthcare: one highlighting areas for urgent improvement surrounding essential patient comfort measures whereas others depict commendable elements concerning caring personnel working diligently despite evident systemic challenges faced nationally within rehabilitation settings today.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Valencia Luncheria (1.2 miles)
• Wendy's (1.4 miles)
• Orem's Diner (2.8 miles)
• Mr Frostys Ice Cream Shop (3.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.3 miles)
• Burger King (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• The Granola Bar (3 miles)
• Zumbach's Gourmet Coffee (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Espresso NEAT (5.5 miles)
• Caffe Nero (5.6 miles)

Physicians

• Coastal Orthopaedics (1.3 miles)
• Doctors' Pediatric PC (1.8 miles)
• Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network (2.2 miles)
• Norwalk Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Coastal Orthopaedics PC (2.5 miles)
• Village Pediatrics (2.5 miles)
• Wilton Surgery Center (3 miles)

Transportation

• East Norwalk Train Station (2.7 miles)
• Westport Train Station (2.8 miles)
• Metro North Rowayton Station (4.8 miles)
• Metro North - Green's Farms Train Station (5.3 miles)
• Metro North - Southport Train Station (6.5 miles)
• Metro North - Fairfield Train Station (8.1 miles)

Parks

• Winslow Park (3.2 miles)
• Sherwood Island State Park (3.4 miles)
• Calf Pasture Beach (4.1 miles)
• Waveny Park (4.2 miles)
• Cherry Lawn Park (4.5 miles)
• Rowayton Dog Park (5.5 miles)
• Woodland Park (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Thomas More Church (5.3 miles)
• Church of the Holy Spirit (7.5 miles)
• Congregation Agudath Sholom (7.9 miles)