Better Living

All of the staff know who you are here and genuinely care about how you feel. I was worried I wouldn't like talking to anyone here but I have made friends with my neighbors quickly because of all the activities the community offers. Also, the food couldn't be any better!

Everyone is good and kind here. The staff are good at helping us navigate this pandemic and keeping us safe. I also appreciate that they have helped me order my toiletries and food items online so I do not have to go out to stores.

The staff here are friendly and good to you. The food is superb and delicious, I enjoy being able to have biscuits and gravy every morning. It is very clean here and I have the support of trained staff. I also enjoy visiting with fellow Veterans.

This team is a phenomenal example of what an attitude of serving looks like. Every resident is valued and respected and staff look for ways to make their days better.

Prairie Hills at Ottumwa is the only choice when it comes to senior living in Wapello County Iowa. The staff are well trained, med managed and take pride in their Community. Prairie Hills has both staff and residents who have been there for 10+ years. They are located on the Northside of Ottumwa, quietly tucked back off Rochester Road. Residents have access to a gym, spa, salon, activities, and bussing services. There is also an onsite memory care neighborhood. The memory care neighborhood is most impressive with their Montessori style approach to care and helping residents maintain independence. I really love watching their partnerships with music and pet therapy groups in the greater Ottumwa area. Nothing compares to the service and care at Prairie Hills.

We moved our sister in law [name removed] into Brown Deer Place last November. That was the best thing we could have done for her. [Name removed] was living at home by herself and her health was getting the best of her. Since her arrival at BDP her health has improved dramatically. She now gets three delicious meals a day. We no longer worry about her not eating. She also has made many new friends to keep her company. We also like BDP is conveniently located close to stores,doctor offices, banks,and about any where you might want to go in Coralville. Our decision to choose BDP was easy after we met the staff. [name removed],[name removed] and all staff members are truly professional and ready care for their residents. There is no doubt that when my wife and I are ready to take it easy and enjoy life,BDP is where we will be heading.[Name removed]

My mom moved into Brown Deer months ago and they have exceeded my expectations. She was very resistant to moving from our home to an independent/assisted living. However, everyone was so warm and welcoming that mom adjusted very quickly. I am sure this is due to the warm inviting family community they strive for. [Name removed] & [name removed]’s door is always open and anytime I have had questions or concerns they were addressed immediately. My mother’s happiness is always a priority. I have also observed that everyone that works there seems to love their job. I highly recommend Brown Deer.

My Mom moved into Brown Deer Place (BDP) in August of 2010 with her husband who had dementia. He lived in memory care while she lived in independent living. This worked very well as Mom did not have to go outside the building to see her husband and was allowed to stay with him in the daytime for as long as she wanted. She usually stayed from 6:30 A.M. until around 8 P.m. They ate their meals together. But she went back to her apt. to sleep. When he passed away in 2011, Mom chose to continue to live at BDP as she said that was where her friends lived. The other resident were very supportive and caring as were the staff. Mom really liked [name removed], the manager as well as [name removed] ( public relations) and her husband who came occasionally. She also liked the maintenance man, [name removed] and [name removed], the supervisor of the caregivers . There are too many others to mention who were so helpful. There was also one resident who would reprogram her TV, let her know what channel the Hawks were on, and put new batteries in her weather radio and lift chair as needed. Mom did not always like what was being served at mealtimes, but knew she could order off a menu and get what she wanted. Mom loved the activities and participated in most of them. A favorite was Bingo, comedy and music presentations by people from outside the building, visits from children in the surrounding schools, physical fitness classes, reading books from the library or reading the newspaper, doing puzzles, weekly trips to the store or Walmart as well as drives to see the sights around the area. She could have used the shuttle for appointments but I was able to do that with her. I also set up her medications on a weekly basis. When she was hospitalized during her stay, Mom either went for a period of time, to memory care for assisted living or sometimes came directly back to independent living with personnel assisting her as needed, checking on her frequently. And they brought meals to her room when she didn't feel she could go to the dining room She loved the social gatherings which occurred weekly and also the popcorn which was popped once a week. Overall, my Mom was where she wanted to be and liked the place very much as the staff (for an extra charge) made her bed daily, assisted her with her shower twice a week, cleaned her apt. weekly and changed her sheets weekly as well as doing all of her wash. I would recommend BDP.

I was invited to do caricatures of the residents. We were in the South lounge sitting area which had great lighting. Many had never had a funny drawing done of themselves. All of the staff were very helpful. I especially noticed the way [name removed] gently kept on encouraging one of the residents who was a bit undecided to have her caricature drawn. Finally after all others were finished, she let me draw her. I had a great time talking with them and listening to them laugh about their drawing and sharing life stories. It's never for late to try something you have never done before!

Prairie hills has been a great community for my mother! Numerous staff, including the Executive Director, Health Director and the Environmental Director have helped my mother adjust to a loving, caring environment. I would highly recommend this facility to any family needing a place for an elderly family member.

I moved here from another Assisted Living community in town and am highly satisfied. All staff are very good to residents. There are lots of activities going on so you can keep busy every day. This is a great place to live!

My father-in-law was a resident of Sunnybrook in Ft. Madison for almost 3 years. Prior to moving to Sunnybrook, his health was poor and he was hospitized monthly. He enjoyed the social aspect of visiting and playing cards with his friends at Sunnybrook. His mental and physical health also improved while at Sunnybrook. We credit Sunnybrook with giving us a couple more years with him.

I am very happy with Brown Deer Memory care unit in Coralville where I found a place for my sister. It is perfect for her with the level of care that she needs at this time. I spend time with her almost every day so I have had many opportunities to interact with the staff and observe their interactions with other residents. I am so relieved to see my sister in a safe and appropriate new home and to be relieved of the cares that she now needs. [Removed]

I’m really pleased with this place. I’m really surprised the amount of care that my love one gets. She’s in assisted living so she can feel some type of independence, but she also has supervisors looking after here every so often. The facility itself has a very straight forward layout. It’s very good for someone like my love one and it’s impossible to get lost. They also have a nice outdoor area off the lounge where residents could sit outside. All in all I am pleased with this location and it’s better than I expected.

I love this smaller community it holds up to 20 residents. We are having ownership changes and they have gone so smooth. They have some new employees and she know the resident by name. It is nice and clean. We get 3 good meals a day. The cook sat down and talked to us about what we would like to see on the menu. They have lots of homemade soup that are good. There is a daily activities of exercise every morning. And mind benders that I enjoy. If i need a ride to a doctors office [Removed] will coordinate it for me. I would recommend this community.

Prairie Hills - Ottumwa is great. [Removed] was above and beyond helpful getting my parents moved into Prairie Hills last month, despite dealing with her own Dad's medical emergencies that weekend.

Really liked the programs, menus, and property...private room 5300 a month. All inclusive except furniture.

We are loving everything about this facility! The care is wonderful and the staff are really great! The food is good, and my father likes the activities that they have to offer. We also love the fact that the facility is very homey and comfortable for my father. We are very pleased with his stay!

I enjoy the personnel all the staff takes very good care of me. Some times I don't enjoy the food it is improving though.

It is an excellent facility for anyone needing extra help. It is very clean. The food is excellent, and if I do not like what the choice of the day is I just order off the menu. The bus for activities and transportation needs is a great asset. The staff and management is very friendly, and always helpful when I need it.