Autumn Lake at Spa Creek

Pros

• The staff are friendly, helpful, and actively involved in all aspects of patient care and rehab.
• The facility is clean, well staffed, with professional and caring PT/OT services.
• Nursing staff and social workers are extremely helpful and responsive, keeping families informed.
• The atmosphere is vibrant and residents are engaged.
• Visitors are warmly greeted, and the staff provide attentive, personalized care.
• The care team is dedicated, resilient, and patient, delivering exceptional care.
• The building is bright and clean with large rooms and a welcoming environment.
• Front desk and nursing staff are noted for going the extra mile, with caregivers like Nurse Tyra highly regarded.
• Families consistently report positive experiences and would highly recommend Autumn Lake at Spa Creek.

Cons

• The facility is filthy, understaffed, and poorly run, with call bells going unanswered and basic hygiene ignored.
• Residents are left in soiled clothing or unmonitored for hours, with no dignity or humane treatment.
• GNAs are allegedly performing medical tasks outside their scope, including administering medications, which is illegal and dangerous.
• There is evidence of falsified documentation, with charted care that did not occur and normal vitals reported for residents who were clearly declining.
• The environment includes a persistent urine odor, peeling paint, and food on the floor near the nurses' station for hours.
• Food quality is deplorable, routinely served cold, with out-of-date drinks and spoiled creamer.
• An oxygen tank was empty, forcing a patient to wait for replacement while struggling to breathe.
• The facility is described as a threat to resident safety and should be investigated or shut down.
• There is a perception that profit drives the operation, implying a money-centered approach rather than patient welfare.
• Call bells and basic hygiene are criticized as consistently neglected, compromising safety and dignity.

Review

Spa Creek Autumn Lake draws a wide range of experiences from the families and friends who visit and, in some cases, place loved ones there. A common thread among many comments is the sense that the facility emphasizes rehabilitation and patient-centered care. Several reviewers praise the depth of involvement from staff across roles and shifts, noting that people on the floor, in therapy, and in support services work collaboratively to support recovery and daily well-being. The overall tone from those who speak positively is that the environment can be clean, bright, and full of activity, with residents and families feeling heard and cared for during the rehabilitation and recovery process.

Among the most frequently cited strengths are the individuals who make up the care teams. Descriptions of staff dedication span nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and administrative personnel. Specific names recur with gratitude: Deanna, the social worker, and Isabel, the business manager, are mentioned for their responsiveness and helpfulness; front-desk and nursing staff are applauded for prompt, attentive, and compassionate care. Night nurse Shirley is singled out by one reviewer for going above and beyond to help a family feel settled, while Tyra is described as a nurse who genuinely loves her patients and their families. Several visitors appreciate being kept in the loop about a loved one's progress and feel that rehab services - PT/OT in particular - are professional, patient, and well-coordinated with families' expectations.

The environment itself frequently emerges as a positive factor. Reviewers describe Autumn Lake at Spa Creek as clean, well-maintained, and visually appealing, with large rooms and a "vibrant" atmosphere where residents are seen walking the halls, enjoying outdoor time, and participating in structured activities. Families find comfort in the consistent kindness of staff and in the sense that the facility strives to balance safety with dignity. The praise extends to the overall atmosphere, with some portraying the facility as a place where caregivers strive to keep families updated on progress and where staff greet visitors warmly, adding a sense of welcome and reassurance during what can be a stressful or emotional process.

Alongside the praise, there are several reviews that raise serious concerns about safety, hygiene, and governance. A substantial portion of the feedback portrays Spa Creek as failing in key safety and cleanliness metrics: urine odors, peeling wall paint, food left on floors, and out-of-date beverages and creamer are cited as indicators of neglect or poor maintenance. Some reviewers describe long wait times for assistance, unmonitored residents leaving the bedside, and a general sense that privacy and dignity are not consistently protected. One account recalls a situation where an oxygen tank was empty and a nurse delayed in replacing it, with the reviewer noting an exacerbation risk as a result. In other words, there are individuals who experienced what they felt were dangerous or life-threatening lapses in care.

A particularly striking cluster of criticisms focuses on claims of illegal or unethical practice, including allegations that unqualified staff were performing medical tasks beyond their scope and administering medications. The reviewer asserts that this was standard practice, with management allegedly turning a blind eye. In addition, there are assertions of falsified documentation - charting care that was not provided or reporting "normal" vitals for patients who were clearly deteriorating - described as fraud intended to mask incompetence and avoid accountability. The facility is portrayed by these comments as filthy, understaffed, and poorly run, with call bells going unanswered, basic hygiene neglected, and residents kept in soiled clothing or left unattended for long stretches. Taken together, these points are presented as a systemic risk to residents' safety and rights, with calls for investigation or accountability.

Despite the negative reports, many families express deep appreciation for the care their loved ones receive at Spa Creek. Several accounts describe mothers or other relatives recovering and thriving under a team described as patient, gentle, professional, and deeply committed. Alzheimer's or memory-care patients are singled out for praise, with family members noting the dedication, resilience, and palpable care shown by nurses, social workers, and therapists. In these voices, the staff's steadiness and compassion come through as a stabilizing force, enabling loved ones to feel supported during a difficult transition. Even when critiques arise, those who publish positive testimonials often emphasize the importance of the staff's warmth, communication, and willingness to accommodate individual needs, sometimes recounting moments of personal connection - an acknowledgement, a reassuring explanation, or a small gesture that made a day easier for a patient and their family.

Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews presents a complex portrait. For some families, Spa Creek Autumn Lake stands out as a premier, well-staffed facility where rehabilitation thrives and where compassionate, engaged caregivers help families navigate the challenges of recovery. For others, the experience shifts toward serious safety concerns, questions about hygiene, and allegations of misconduct or mismanagement that would prompt a reevaluation of care. The breadth of viewpoints underscores the importance of conducting thorough, site-specific due diligence, speaking directly with medical staff and administrators, and, when possible, observing care interactions firsthand. If you're considering this facility for a loved one, it may be wise to review the latest visits, ask pointed questions about staffing levels, call-bell response times, medication administration practices, and quality measures, and weigh the reported successes against the concerns raised by other families.

This area of Annapolis, Maryland, offers a variety of convenient amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and accessible neighborhood. With several pharmacies such as Walgreens and multiple CVS locations within close proximity, access to necessary medications and healthcare supplies is readily available. Additionally, there are numerous dining options ranging from upscale restaurants like Vin 909 to casual cafes like Big Bean, ensuring a diverse culinary experience. For medical needs, there are reputable physicians nearby including specialists in oral surgery at Walzer Sullivan and Hlousek, DMD. Places of worship such as St Mary's Church provide spiritual support, while parks like Quiet Waters Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and tranquility. The area also boasts easy access to healthcare facilities like Luminis Health Community Clinic Arundel Lodge and Anne Arundel Medical Center for comprehensive medical care. With its blend of amenities and serene surroundings, this part of Annapolis is worth considering for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Main Store (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Giant Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Vin 909 (0.9 miles)
• Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern (1 miles)
• Level Small Plates Lounge (1.2 miles)
• Carrol's Creek Cafe (1.3 miles)
• Annapolis Yacht Club (1.3 miles)
• Forward Brewing (1.3 miles)
• Boatyard Bar & Grill (1.3 miles)

Physicians

• Walzer Sullivan and Hlousek, DMD - Oral Surgery Specialists (1 miles)
• Children's National Health Systems (1.6 miles)
• Annapolis Nephrology Associates (1.9 miles)
• Orthoopaedic & Sports Medicine (1.9 miles)
• Annapolis Endocrinology (1.9 miles)
• Sandel, Henry Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery and Medspa (1.9 miles)
• Annapolis Pediatrics (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mary's Church (1.2 miles)
• Naval Academy Chapel (1.7 miles)
• St John the Evangelist Church (7.8 miles)

Parks

• Quiet Waters Park (1.5 miles)
• Sandy Point State Park (6.6 miles)
• Galesville Park (8.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Luminis Health Community Clinic Arundel Lodge (2.3 miles)
• Anne Arundel Medical Center (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Bow Tie Annapolis Mall 11 (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Big Bean (8 miles)