Life Care Services LLC

A shameful lack of ethics here! My dearest friend and role-model in the nonprofit world moved in a few weeks ago. When she toured with her daughter, they mentioned a two-pet policy. She objected, "Well I can't live here - I have three cats." The marketing manager said, "Well, then we'll look the other way," and smiled reassuringly. Now, after she moved in and six weeks have passed, they have gone back on their word! An elegant elderly lady whose three furry 'children' are her world is being forced to surrender one cat! It's horrifying and heartbreaking. Be warned, families. I've been to visit her and the facility looks and seems fine. It's what you don't see that matters. And dear Westminster, Our elderly loved ones deserve better. If this can happen in your community, your management is rotten to the core. For shame!

I was a independent living resident at Balfour-Ann Arbor for 7 months - the first resident to move in when they opened in November 2019 and the first to leave in June 2020. In my opinion, this is NOT a good place for anyone to live, let let alone any senior! Most of the foregoing is the tip of the iceberg, but in a nutshell, what I have written says plenty to raise a huge “red flag” to potential residents of any Balfour facility, since they are all owned and managed by the Corporation Headquarters in Colorado. Balfour-Ann Arbor has 3 areas of living - Independent, Assisted and Memory Care. I was looking for a facility that had these things, but I wanted them to all be physically separated and that the areas did not co-mingle. I was assured more than once, and by more than one person, that each had their own dining room and there was no mixing of residents. I told the leasing persons on more than one occasion when I checked a few times about the areas being separated that I would not move into Balfour if the 3 areas co-mingled. Again, I was always assured that they did not co-mingle and that is one way Balfour was different than other places of this type. In about February, 2020, a situation arose that made me question whether that was indeed the case after I moved in. At that time, I asked the person I talked to on more than one occasion when I was looking into Balfour the exact opposite. She indicated that the three areas could mix and use any and all parts of the facility and that anyone could eat in any dining room they wanted. I was shocked to say the least. I checked with a couple of others who signed up about the same time I did and they were told the same thing I was. In my opinion, the Ann Arbor facility is totally disorganized and chaotic in almost every respect, except for the kitchen staff. The original staff, as well as many many subsequent employees, have either quit or been fired and nothing gets done that you ask for over and over, if at all, and you continue to pay for services you do not receive. Balfour is like an employee revolving door and has never been fully staffed. except maybe on day 1. And, a large number of employees are incompetent and/or have insufficient on-the-job training and supervision to do their jobs. If they are competent, they have too much work to do because of understaffing and are unable to speak up for fear of losing their jobs and end up quitting at some point. The Associate Executive Director, who took over when the Corporation fired the Executive Director shortly after the facility opened, is overwhelmed with so many jobs to do; thus, he cannot possibly keep up. In addition, medical updates sent to the residents on a regular basis by the Corporation were almost always glowing about how well Balfour and the residents were doing keeping the virus out of their facilities. However, in Ann Arbor, in all instances but one, they never really informed residents there about the fact that the facility had never been risk free from anyone getting the virus in the facility. This was because of, among other things, selected resident behaviors and contradictory and/or misinformation from the Corporation about the length of time someone needed to be in quarantine, which put everyone at risk continually for months. The “Balfour Way,” as they call it by the Corporation, REALLY means to give you as little as possible, despite what their literature and the Corporation says, and for residents to not complain. And, if you do, they threaten you with legal action and termination of your lease, like they did with me. In addition, they charge you a lot of money to live there that basically pays for all the decorating “fluff” and hollow promises of what they will be doing for you. Both of these things are part of the hook to sell you on this facility. The COVID-19 virus was not the problem, it just exposed a myriad of systemic problems with this Corporation that one might not have noticed right away under normal circumstances, but they sure became apparent quickly when you tried to get even the simplest of things done here before and during the virus. This is not to say that local staff are unresponsive. They are polite about requests and employees are nice to the residents, but there is largely no resolution to any of your complaints and requests. Since, Balfour-Ann Arbor is only 7 months old, I would highly suggest that you research the other Balfour facilities and access sites online that give accounts of other resident reviews of all the other Balfour properties (in Colorado) and their experiences with this Corporation and things that people were/are not happy with at those facilities BEFORE signing up to live in one of their facilities. I would also read online internet reviews of employee experiences at other Balfour facilities. There are only 2 reviews of the Ann Arbor property from employees - one positive and one negative - and no reviews by any residents (current or former) except mine. But, I personally know at least one other person that is leaving Balfour Ann Arbor soon and residents continue to complain about things there that never get addressed. For some unknown reason to me, they still don’t realize after six months of complaining that they never will. I lived and learned, and I hope I can save someone else from making the same mistake or at least be fully informed.

I regret moving my Mom to the Assisted Living floor from her previous unit. She was supposesd to get 24-hour care. She is deaf and almost blind, so her children cannot even communicate with her on the phone. Lexington cannot even bother to show her how to operate the AC. Beacuse of this Corono Virus, they won't let my sister in to help her. She is crying every night and we are trying to figure out how to get her out of there. Don't take your mother there. All they are interested in is getting your money.

My Mother wanted me to share this review, she lives at clarendale and does not have access to a computer because the room is locked. We are very disappointed with the services here (or lack of). The food is terrible frozen garbage slopped together and my mother tells me this has been brought to the lady in charge many times (by her and her friends) with no improvement. The Maintainence man is clearly intoxicated most of the time (since her move in) and almost injured my mother when hanging something in her apartment. When my mother calls down to the front desk at night the person working does not even speak/understand English and hangs up on her regularly. Im sure after this covid pandemic is over we will be looking for another place for her to live with good food and her friends she made will follow suit.

My loved one started there for rehab services, The staff took a few days for us to even speak to a social worker to figure things out. One of the nurses would roll her eyes are if asked question or anything as if she didn't want to be bothered be us. The charge nice was very good and helpful. Poor communication and no care plan.

I personally selected Windsor for my parents to live. Please read my father's post below. BOTH my parents were very unhappy with the quality of food and management at Windsor. With the help of Mayor [name removed] and Sheriff [name removed] BOTH of Oceola County, my parents were promised they would be granted a police escort to leave Windsor. After many failed attempts to reach someone OTHER than [name removed] about this situation, I succeeded. [name removed] the SVP/Sr. Director of Operations of Life Care Services that Operates Windsor reached out to me. I explained that my parents need to get out of WINDSOR as soon as possible. I told her how [name removed] denied my moving company access and terrified my own mother by beating on their door and yelling in my 82 year old Mother's face. She assured me both [name removed] and [name removed] would NOT be permitted to handle this situation any further. She told me starting Friday, [date removed] until my parents departure on Saturday, [date removed] that [name removed] the Assistant Executive Director would be handling the entire situation. She forwarded his contact information and told me that I am to correspond with him. In addition, she granted me very specific days Thursday, [date removed], Friday, [date removed] and Saturday, [date removed] that I could help pack my parents for their upcoming move. [Date removed] of Windsor handled everything perfectly and treated myself and my parents with the dignity and respect we all deserved. HOWEVER, on the move out day [date removed]. I went to the tent and checked in like I did the other two days. I filled out my COVID screening form, I had full PPE on, and I had my temperature taken. I was told to go ahead up to my parents unit. The night before I sent an email to [name removed] with the estimated time of the licensed movers. He acknowledged my email. I arrived at exactly the scheduled time. [Names removed] of Windsor were aware of my permission granted to help on this morning. [Name removed] assured me that [name removed] would NOT be involved. However, he went to my parents unit and harassed BOTH my parents and telling them he was going to have me ARRESTED and taken out in handcuffs. When I arrived at their room #622. [Name removed] was screaming and yelling at me an inch from my MASK... He physically removed me from the building. I was TERRIFIED for my life. He made me ride down a DINGY service ELEVATOR with him continuing to call me a LIAR and told me it was "[profanity removed]" that I was permitted in his BUILDING because he told me that he WAS the manager on DUTY. I was KICKED out of the building. Luckily, I video taped his actions. [Name removed] called me and heard him continuing to scream at me. BOTH the Mayor and Sheriff called me and sent police to reassure myself and my parents that we were allowed to leave WINDSOR. We are so extremely LUCKY to get out of WINDSOR. Our treatment by [name removed] was terrifying and dangerous. [Name removed] couldn't believe he behaved in this manner and assured us that he would be dealt with. She also questioned who gave him the authority to be a manager on duty when he was supposed to be handling maintenance issues. The stress of this situation, caused my mother to get sick. My father was so thankful to the Mayor and Sheriff for caring about their safety and wellbeing. Both of my parents were completely let down by WINDSOR. My father said that the food was better during his tour in Vietnam and during his nearly 30 year career as a Colonel in the United States Army. His heart aches for all the wonderful friends that he is leaving behind at Windsor. He knew this place was taking a negative toll on both my mother and himself. Thank you NURSE [name removed], the sweet Valet brothers, our favorite caring waitress named [name removed], [name removed] the Assistant Director, [name removed] for the extra care and love on our last TRAUMATIC day and lastly to all the wonderful residents that remain at Windsor-- families please check on your loved ones. I hope and pray things improve. My parents are now safe and happy-- and being well fed. AMEN!

Clare Oaks is bankrupt. Clare Oaks lost a $4.1 million dollar lawsuit when a jury found that a resident's medications were mismanaged leading to negative health consequences. If you love your parent, do not put them in this facility. You will regret it forever.

Clarendale of Algonquin is poorly and understaffed! We have brought this up to the director several times and no changes in a month and a half. Staff doesn't even know that new residents have arrived. We have had to remind some of the staff to bring new residents out for dinner. I would not recommend anyone bring their loved ones to this facility

This looks like an apartment only facility. Not what were looking for

After many years of uneventful life in independent living (where the only problem was how the food went downhill after Brookdale took over), my mother had a stroke, suffered paralysis, and spent her final 6 years at the "Inn" - skilled nursing. Staffing was a problem, the nurses overworked, the aides as well (some of whom were desperately in need of more training). A supposed slip from a chair (mind you, she was partially paralyzed) broke her leg, and 90 days later she was dead. The wound was not cared for properly and became necrotic. Opiates were necessary to keep her painfree. The aide who "found" her was covered up for by the staff, even though the ones who knew us gave me the wink wink, nudge nudge when parroting the corporate line. Avoid skilled nursing there at all costs. Your loved one's life may depend on it.

This not the best place for the aged. My aunt was in the center in South Florida until she passed away. Six months. The employees only did what was required, nothing more. The morale amongst the employees is low and their tempers flair easily when losing patience with the residents. In six months, I watched the high turnover of the staff, including the director. Food was tasteless. My aunt was diabetic and was getting too much sugar and carbohydrates, which caused her insulin to be raised by medication. She received soda with every meal. If I didn’t come at meal time, my aunt would have had awful attacks and had to have more medication. One afternoon, there was a birthday party and she received a piece of cake. Again, not something you feed a diabetic. Her health declined rapidly and I lost her too soon. I do believe it was because of the sugar in her food and more medication given to counteract the sugar surges. That’s not how you take care of a diabetic in an assisted living facility. Her diet was ignored. Then she would phone me crying that she had urinated all over herself because no one would help her to the toilet in a timely manner. Again, this is unacceptable. When she needed to shower to go down to her breakfast, no one came to clean her up so she could make breakfast, missing the meal, all together. Either this place doesn’t like taking care of the aged, or the employees don’t like doing their jobs. It was a nightmare. I do not recommend this place, unless this is the last place on earth. Think twice about putting your loved one in here. Bad, bad experience.

Clarendale has really taken a turn for the worse. The workers spend more time on their phones and with each other than they do caring for residents. Every time we go for a visit the environment is worse than the last time.

A beautiful physical environment has masked serious ongoinng concerns substantiated in an Investigation Report by the MN Office of Health Facilities Complaints dated [date removed]. Our mother was the first resident in the Gable Pines Memory Care Neighborhood, 6/2016. Initially, personal care, activities and dining were excellent. All began to decline with frequent turnover of nursing leadership resulting in inaccurate care plans, inadequate training and nursing supervision of a ever changing group of caregivers. The situation reached a crisis level when our mother had a change in condition, became unresponsive and was receiving Hospice Care. Gable Pines did not provide a Registered Nurse as required to assess our mother’s changed needs. In addition, our mother experienced delays in administration of medication to prevent pain. ‘Med passers’ needed to be reminded by family multiple times. After our request to assume responsibility for medication administration, an interim executive director, while never responding to our concern, issued a letter of immediate termination of our mother’s residency just four days before her death. Our Mother’s vaid POLST agreement stating ‘Comfort Care Only’ was disregarded. Our pleas for assistance from Life Care Services, who manages Gable Pines, were ignored and minimized. We subsequently filed a complaint with the MN Office of Health Facilities Complaints. While Gale Pines was awarded a 2018 'Best of Assisted Living' rating, The MN OHFC, on [date removed], issued more than 20 ‘Correction Orders’ for multiple failures by Gable Pines to meet licensing requirements including failures of training and supervision of unlicensed caregivers by a Registered Nurse, failure to conduct a nursing assessment when a resident’s condition changed, failure to consider family wishes for the resident’s care and failure to provide required notice for termination of residency and services. The Investigative Report also stated: “Furthermore the licensee took action to retaliate against the client for complaints made by the client’s family”. The Investigative Report also cited the licensee with “interfering with the investigation”. 8 months later, in February 2019, the correction order for inadequate Registered Nurse supervision of unlicensed caregivers was reissued. As a family we trusted that the promises made to us by Gable Pines would be kept. Gable Pines betrayed our trust and burdened us with unnecessary, cruel treatment during the last four days of our mother’s life. Unfortunately, family members of current residents who continue to raise concerns and are reminded by nursing leadership that improvements take time and that this is first a business.

Great place if you don’t need assistance like help getting to restroom in a timely manner. I waited over two hours before help came. I thought of calling the police. Food is not very good and overpriced.

My 4 month stay at Freedom Village in Bradenton I experienced several things that led me to move to another assisted living facility. The 2 concerning things I left with that I did not have before: 1. Stomach trouble for eating poor quality food. The lack of fresh fruits and vegetables has placed me under the care of a gastroenterologist. 2. Spider bites all across my body for weeks due to a room that was not properly cleaned prior to and during my stay. The Freedom Village staff refused to take my nocturnal bites seriously. At my own expense I called in town exterminator to seek the source of the bites. They found many spiders and webs. I also now under the care of a second doctor, a dermatologist.

My Dad stayed in the memory care unit under hospice care at Gable Pines for seven months. The caregivers made him feel safe and protected. They were loving and kind, but the unit was very understaffed. The turnover was high and we needed to provide a lot of his care ourselves. However, my low rating mostly reflects my experience with the business office at Gable Pines. My Dad passed away on Feb. 12th and we moved his things out on Feb. 26th. So, per their lease, GP owes my Mom for two days in February that we did not use. Instead, GP went into her checking account on March 2nd and removed the next month's rent. The company owes my Mom around $6300. It is now almost June and I can't even get anyone to call me back. A couple of times, someone accidentally answered the phone and agreed the money is owed her, but nothing else happens. I will never recommend this facility.

[name removed], the Social Worker is the most unfriendly, non supportive, non sympathetic person you will ever meet! This job is not for her! To be in this business, patients and family should come first and she did not help with anything we asked her. She would laugh at comments and questions asked. It is very sad that she is placed in a facility like this!

To start off, my experience with this community is pretty bad. What I think it came down to was my loved one needing more assistance that the staff team wanted to give. My loved one was there a short amount of time. Between the 24 days that she was being there, she was only actually there 7-9 days. She has dementia and we talked to them about that. When I would go to visit she would say “he was being too rough with me”. My opinion of rough and her opinion of rough are 2 completely different things. So I wasn’t really too worried about it. A little while later, she had a fall there. They called me and said that they had to take her to the hospital. I went there, she didn’t need any type of surgery, but when she got out I noticed that she suddenly developed a ring bruise around her pinky. I asked her what happened and she said “one of the nurses was being rough with me”. Staff is slow to respond as well. My loved one wore a button on her wrist and it would take 15 minutes sometimes for someone to show up. She told me that there were times that she waited 30-45 min. Now because of her condition I didn’t think she could comprehend time. So I didn’t think much of it. There’s a lot of back and forth with myself and the staff. On the second day that she was there my daughter, who is a CNA, stopped by to visit her. There were no sheets on the bed. The staff said that my loved one ran out of clean sheets. So my daughter went out and picked some up, but we came to find that there were actually clean sheets in the dresser. The staff was just too lazy to put them on the bed. After her first fall of 2 ½ days, her mental status really seemed to be altered. I wanted to keep a closer eye on her so I visited her more often. One Friday morning I received a phone call that they found her face down next to her bed. They thought that she was having a stroke, but we don’t actually know what happened. They took her to the hospital and I stopped over there. She was in bed; she vomited, and then just fell out at some point. Regardless of what happened gravity just took over and caused her to have major brain bleeding. She would have to go into surgery. Unfortunately, she fell into a coma and never woke up. When I returned to the Harbor I saw the vomit and the blood on the floor. We stopped by there a couple of times during the week and it was still there. It was just left there and no one would clean it up. We talked about it to the staff and basically said it’s kind of disgusting and disturbing that we have to keep looking at this. One of the ladies that looked at the room said I didn’t tell her about the mess in there. I shouldn’t have to tell her how to do her job. It seems that everyone just passes the buck and no one is acting like an adult to own up to anything. I would tell them that they never did laundry for my aunt. She still had clothes from last week in her basket. They then took it and those clothes disappeared. They presumably washed the sheets too, but they also disappeared. The only thing that we received back was her basket and her comforter. No one ever did anything. It’s not often that I get speechless, but with this I just couldn’t believe it.

What a charade! I heard the Sterling was a nice place for your loved ones, but I have found it to be anything but that. Even the Dr. is saying he never had any trouble with the facility, until recently. It turns out that even the Dr. has been having trouble getting through, to check on patients or give orders to a nurse. Staff members seem friendly and polite, in person, but it is very difficult to contact anybody or get help by phone. At first, I’d be transferred to the nurse’s station and the recording said the mailbox was full…then it disconnected me. Of course, you have to get somebody to answer the phone before they can transfer you to Never Never Land, to begin with. They have gotten better. Now the call to the nurse’s station goes through to voice mail, but Hell will freeze over before anybody calls you back. Go ahead and try to contact somebody in charge. They are masters of deflection. Tell them your concerns and they will tell you whatever they think you want to hear. I have found them to be [Removed] when it comes to patient care, especially at night. I’m pulling my loved one out of there!

Horrible met with Exec Director who didn't really give us the time of day. Acted like we were wasting her time. We talked in her office and never got a facility tour. Would NOT ever consider placing anyone there