Charles E. Smith Life Communities

The facility is nice enough but as others have said, it's a cold and unfriendly place. The staff does not follow through on requests. It is rare to have follow-up on an issue or have phone calls returned. For example, in 15 months I could not get a second mail box key issued to us, despite *many* repeated requests. When my father was partially moved out, but still had many items left in his apartment (and was still paying rent), his apartment was entered, his possessions were gone through, the window left open and the door left unlocked. At least one item was missing and at least one other item was broken. Management was notified and I was promised a follow-up but there was none. No explanation, no apology. When my father moved out noone offered their well wishes or even a 'glad to have had you' or a 'sorry to see you go.' The excuse given for the attitude is "well this is independent living, not assisted living," but that does not excuse the coldness and lack of follow-through. One thing is not really management's fault, that is the unfriendliness of the residents. My father is now at Landow, which is assisted living. On top of the additional services that one pays for, Landow is a 1000-times nicer atmosphere. Every single staff member we have dealt with so far is more friendly, responsive and professional.

Unfortunately, my mother has been stuck in this place for almost 10 years. The problems in this place include: Elevators that break down regularly The staff uses the emergency public broadcast/ intercom system daily to tell residents about activities and the unregulated cafe they operate- an intrusion of privacy- you cannot escape these unwanted 'announcements' which are available on their TV access channel and other places. My mother has to suffer thru these loud announcements in her apartment daily. Dirty hall ways and laundry room The "cafe" where food is prepared and served (Mondays and Wednesdays lunch)- by untrained, unsupervised senior volunteers. Food is left on counter, volunteers don't wash their hands and the place has operated without the Health Departments knowledge until recently. So there is no oversight or food safety program in place. The dinning plan is mandatory and the food is sub-standard, boring, repetitive and downright insulting. Although they claim to be kosher and cost of the food plan has gone up, the quality has gone down. Cold-cuts and hot dogs are a regular dinner. Vegetables appear to the the rejects- like giant zucchini which is boiled to mush. Dinners often are served cold. It was reported that the oven wasn't working which delayed their dinners. There are possible fire safety issues with the building exit doors. The elevators get backed up so seniors who are mobile enough might take the stairs- except that the stairway door to the lobby is locked. One floor down- the door is an emergency exit which was found to be bolted shut somehow, at the top. Reports have been made to the fire department and health department. If you can avoid this place- do! It is supposed to be 'independent living' However, more and more disabled folks are accepted for residency, even tho they do not have the staff to oversee them. Mom found a woman in the elevator who had fallen out of her wheelchair. What was she to do? No security cameras in the elevator or in the stairwells. Revitz receives public funds. Where's the oversight?