My father has now lived at The Watermark for one year. During that time, the experience has been…read moreinconsistent--at times acceptable, and at other times deeply concerning.
The cost of care is extremely high, and additional fees are added for things that should be basic. If a resident exceeds a certain number of medications, there is an extra charge simply to administer them--despite these being small, routine pills. If staff are asked to ensure a resident showers, that also results in additional charges. Housekeeping is supposed to be included, yet there have been multiple occasions when my father's bedding was not washed, leaving him sleeping in what I would consider unsanitary conditions. In addition, there are many times when I visit and the fronts of the cabinets are covered in greasy fingerprints, as if they have not been cleaned or wiped down in months.
After his first year, his rent increased by over $300 per month. The increase is for no other reason than to get more money. Just because you can raise the rent doesn't mean that you should. He hasn't been given more care, he hasn't utilized any of the facilities on the grounds. In fact he sits in his room and just watches television all day. The food hasn't gotten better or worse, he hasn't gotten more care or less. So again a rental increase is not necessary. Compounding this issue, prior leadership sent me the rent increase letter that failed to include the discount he receives, making it appear as though the increase was nearly $1,500. This caused unnecessary alarm and confusion and further eroded trust.
There have also been numerous occasions when I have specifically asked staff to please not allow my father to simply sit alone in his room in front of the television all day. Despite these requests, I have not seen any meaningful effort to engage him in the community or encourage participation in activities. This lack of social engagement is particularly concerning and directly impacts his quality of life specifically since he has dementia and Alzheimer's, social interaction is extremely important to help the disease progress less aggressively.
Many of these issues stemmed from prior leadership, which I understand is no longer in place. I believe I can personally attest to at least one reason for the high staff turnover. On one occasion, I called and asked to speak with a specific leader. I was placed on hold, and when the receptionist returned, she said she was transferring me. When this leader picked up the phone, she answered with a curt and rude "what," as though she believed she was speaking to the receptionist rather than a family member. Speaking to staff--or anyone--in that manner is completely unacceptable. When I clarified who I was and why I was calling, her tone barely improved. The interaction was unprofessional and left a lasting impression.
While the care staff themselves appear to want to do a good job, there have been serious lapses. One example was when my father complained of what was dismissed as a sunburn, when in reality he had a severe case of hives. He later ended up in the emergency room while traveling.
When we returned from that trip, we found his bathroom had flooded. Rather than immediately sending someone to clean and sanitize his apartment, staff was told to offer to him in a model room for the night. This was an unacceptable solution. He had just returned from vacation here he was ill the entire time and wanted to rest in his own apartment--not be displaced. We were also informed that there was no maintenance staff on site at night, which is deeply concerning in a facility of this nature. It took an excessive amount of time for someone to come up and mop the floor, and even then, the area was not sanitized--only mopped--despite the fact that it involved toilet water.
I have read many reviews stating that appearances can be deceiving, and unfortunately, that can be true. It is a beautiful new building. There has been significant staff turnover, which I believe was directly related to certain members of leadership who are no longer there.
Overall, I am cautiously hopeful that with the leadership changes that have been made, things will improve. However, given the level of cost and the expectations that come with it, meaningful and consistent improvement is not optional--it is required.