Better Living

Flew in from out of town to visit my Mother. [name removed] told us she had to go by ambulance to Ottumwa Hospital for psych eval to get her meds changed, then she could return (lies). She was discharged from the hospital later that evening and when we tried to return her to her to river place (in the middle of the night), they would not let her in to return to her room. We called [name removed] , the director, and he said she cannot come back. No advance notice of any kind. So we are sitting in the parking lot in the middle of the night with no place to go. The day before, my sister went to visit her and she was lying outside, and my sister had to bring her back in. I noticed that they waited until the first of the month (after she paid in advance for the month ahead) before they pulled this hateful stunt. Looking at all options.

This is difficult. The Landings managed the facility when my husband moved in. I would have scored them high on all categories. Since Northern Oaks took over I have been considering moving my husband even though that would extremely difficult for him. I know there is a labor shortage but the management has made so many procedural changes that are affecting the care of the residents. The best caregivers have left. There are usually only two people on duty and frequently one of them is the cook. The caregivers are struggling to keep up with their responsibilities which is made more difficult because there's no longer a process for communicating from one shift to another each day. My husband's bathroom is not cleaned regularly. I AM NO LONGER NOTIFIED WHEN HE FALLS. He has Parkinson's and fell 39 times last year but since October I haven't been notified by them. The wonderful registered nurse is no longer there. The LPN on duty now seems to have no understanding of dementia or Parkinson's and has not attempted to learn about how to care for the residents. She has ZERO compassion for the residents. Several residents have moved to other facilities. I would not recommend Northern Oaks for anyone. I would be interested in finding another place for my husband.

The worst facility for clients. They keep changing there website. Not once did I witnessany outings, picnics, on-site musicians, excerising, etc… There is no spa or salon it is a closet with no ventilation. No employees stay, or wear name tags. What red carpet treatment ??? Pricing leave seniors with no money left over at months end which is against Anoka county standards. They are now hiding behind a “place for mom”, “jaybird management”, which all 3 places have very low reviews. Run as fast as you can everything the tell you about this place is literally a lie!!

I would have wanted to know clients are the truth about this facility. The truth is employees treat clients very poorly and none of them wear name tags. The food is not up to anyones stanards due to needing to hire a cook with knowledge of cooking. It is a lot of sandwiches or pizza delivery which isn’t her approved diet. Staff is deceitful and can not be trusted. There is no maintenance man. All negative reviews are removed from the site. Clients are being considerably over charged. Turn around in staff leads not having enough staff at all. Especially at night time. Most employees treat clients rudely and have no patience. They offer no activities, meal planning , no extras. I would not recommend this facility to anyone as they offer little in providing quality care.

Management and HHA need serious retraining. No support from management, constant staff shortage and there is reason why a 19 bed facility in a area that senior living is in need have lots of openings. Look elsewhere as care here will be poor and expensive! Zero activities. What they pass off is very limited for activities. Too much turnover in staff and the staffing to resident ratio is alarming, especially at night.

Looked great at first, but our mother said the care was not what you paid for meals were terrible, chef quit, fed Mexican food 3-4 times a week. Elevator broke all the time and she was on second floor. Bed bugs on lower level by bingo room found in some ones room. how does this happen in an assisted living facility??? The maintenance man was the nicest man there and the most caring. The little gal doing the interviewing doesn't have a clue what is going on, or the Manager for that fact either. I would NOT recommend this place to anyone. We have since moved our mother , where she is getting great care.

Very dated and small rooms. No updates since it was opened it looks like. Staff do not conduct themselves professionally. Not a secured place. Enter and walk in without anyone asking who you are. Very little activities and no outings. Too expensive for services and environment you are getting. Better choices to consider in the area.