ProMedica Ruxton

Pros

• The public areas of Manor Care Ruxton are extremely nice and well-maintained, providing a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
• The nursing and therapy staff are caring, warm, and dedicated to the well-being of their patients.
• The social worker assisting with transfer arrangements was delightful and kind, contributing positively to the overall experience.
• The facility is located in an upscale area, adding to the appeal of the environment for loved ones visiting residents.
• Despite some concerns about policies and billing, Manor Care Ruxton is generally regarded as a safe place for loved ones during rehabilitation.
• Residents can expect tolerable meal options within a clean and pleasant dining atmosphere, ensuring their basic needs are met.

Cons

• The rooms at Manor Care Ruxton are in need of updating and are a little small, particularly the double rooms.
• The facility's focus on profit was evident through their policies and billing practices.
• Access to soft drinks, such as ginger ale, was restricted after a change in food service providers, causing frustration for the family.
• The family faced unexpected additional charges for "bed rental" after the mother's death, which seemed unreasonable given that she occupied the same bed throughout her stay.
• The billing issues created added stress during an already difficult time for the family, with repeated calls demanding payment for charges they thought were covered.

Review

Manor Care Ruxton, a rehabilitation facility located in an upscale area, served as the final place of care for my mother during the last five weeks of her life. The building itself is attractive, with well-maintained public spaces that convey a sense of comfort and elegance. While the patient rooms are somewhat outdated and might feel cramped—especially the double-occupancy ones—they are adequate for short-term stays like my mother's post-surgical rehabilitation. Unfortunately, I faced significant challenges during my mother's time at Manor Care, challenges that highlighted the fact that this facility operates as a for-profit entity.

Initially, my brother and I had planned to move both of our parents to the Maryland Masonic Home for long-term care once my mother completed her rehab. Sadly, these plans were cut short when she passed away unexpectedly just two days before our scheduled transfer. During her stay at Manor Care, we observed that the nursing staff and other caregivers were consistently warm and attentive. The physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy teams also demonstrated compassion and expertise in their fields. Additionally, the social worker who was assisting us with arrangements for Mom's transition was equally delightful and supportive throughout this emotionally taxing period.

However, it became increasingly apparent as time went on that Manor Care's operations were influenced significantly by its profit-driven motives. One poignant illustration of this occurred when the facility changed its food service provider shortly before my mother's death. One of her favorite treats was ginger ale; she would enjoy sipping it from a straw with crushed ice—a simple joy that provided not only hydration but also pleasure. Previously accessible from the nurses' station upon request without any issues, access to ginger ale dwindled after that change. The new food service company deemed soft drinks "non-nutritional" and stopped providing them altogether. This corporate decision was disheartening enough on its own; however, given my willingness to purchase ginger ale from vending machines—which often proved empty—it felt like an unnecessary obstacle being put in front of us during such a critical time.

Despite some staff members finding creative ways to procure ginger ale discreetly for my mother so she could continue enjoying her favorite drink each day, this experience left me feeling uncomfortable about the facility’s priorities and their emphasis on cost-cutting measures over patient satisfaction. As if these issues weren’t distressing enough, we later encountered serious billing concerns following her death. My mother had been hospitalized multiple times prior to her stay at Manor Care since September 2012 and consequently ran out of Medicare-reimbursed rehab days.

I personally visited the business office for an itemized bill after writing a substantial check intended to cover all charges incurred during December 2012 (about ten days) and January 2013 up until my mother's passing at the end of January. However, we were subsequently inundated with notices indicating additional charges owed for January—most notably an inexplicable fee exceeding $1,000 labeled "bed rental." This baffling charge felt especially unjustified considering that Mom occupied the same bed throughout her entire stay there; it seemed evident that bed rental should be inherently included within the exorbitant daily room rates charged by Manor Care.

In conclusion, while Manor Care Ruxton presents itself as an appropriate facility from certain perspectives—particularly regarding safe accommodations and caring therapeutic staff—the underlying profit-centric focus cannot be overlooked. Visitors can expect a pleasant atmosphere supported by dedicated personnel who strive to deliver quality care despite systemic shortcomings stemming from corporate policies prioritizing profits over patient needs or experience enhancements—such as basic refreshments or transparent billing practices. Although it may serve adequately in certain aspects—for those seeking temporary rehabilitation—I firmly believe families should explore alternative options available within their community when searching for long-term care solutions or assistance for loved ones facing similar conditions.

This area of Baltimore, Maryland offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several reputable physicians and hospitals nearby, including the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Medicine at Green Spring Station, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, the abundance of pharmacies ensures easy access to medications. There are also various dining options ranging from fast food chains like McDonald's to more upscale establishments like The Cheesecake Factory. For entertainment, there is the Cinemark Towson And Xd theater as well as parks such as Meadowood Regional Park and Lake Roland for leisurely walks. Transportation options are convenient with the Lutherville Light Rail Station nearby, allowing for easy access to other parts of the city. Overall, this area provides a balanced mix of medical facilities, dining options, recreational activities, and transportation services suitable for seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Physicians

• Advanced Allergy & Asthma Center (1 miles)
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• O'Dea Building- St Josephs Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Clinical Associates (1.9 miles)
• Maryland Pediatric Group: Winkelstein Amy L MD (2.3 miles)
• Dr Richard A. Adler, Belcara Health Ophthalmology (2.5 miles)
• Pediatric Partners (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Subway (1.4 miles)
• THB - Towson (1.6 miles)
• THB Bagels & Deli of Timonium (1.6 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (1.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2 miles)
• Nautilus Diner (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• GBMC (1.3 miles)
• Sheppard Pratt Health System (1.4 miles)
• Johns Hopkins Medicine at Green Spring Station (2.2 miles)
• Lifebridge Health Campus Service (3.6 miles)
• MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (4.2 miles)
• Sinai Hospital Of Baltimore (4.2 miles)
• MedStar Union Memorial Hospital (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Immaculate Conception (1.3 miles)
• Church of the Nativity (1.8 miles)
• Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church (2.1 miles)
• St Demetrios Greek Ort (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• Lutherville Light Rail Station (1.4 miles)
• Penn Station (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Towson And Xd (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Meadowood Regional Park (2.1 miles)
• Rodgers Forge Tot Lot (2.4 miles)
• Lake Roland (2.6 miles)
• Cromwell Valley Park (4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Miss Shirley's Cafe, Roland Park (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.2 miles)