Our precious mother was one of the original residents in Memory care at Westview of Ellisville,…read moreand we were extremely satisfied with the care she received for the first five years. We were able to be with mom every day for all of those years,often multiple times each day. We have seen it all!!
Within the past 2 years Westview has been under new administration. It has become a different place. The director of memory care has been so impossible to work with, 9 of the best CNA staff have left WV.
She has been rude and disrespectful to me and my family. She doesn't even look at us when we speak to her. My sister has refused to talk to her since Dec. 27. When I tried to talk to her , She closed her door and pretended to not be in her office, I loudly said. "I'm not leaving until I talk to you. " she finally came out of her office.
On another occasion I asked if memory care was fully staffed that day. Her response to me was. "YOU DON'T GOTTA KNOW. " I did have the right to know. On another occasion I asked a CNA if there was full staff, she responded "yes, the new girl.. " I asked her name, the CNA said that she was told to tell me that. There was no new girl. Director of memory care instructed a staff member to lie. UNETHICAL !!! I reported that to the executive director. Nothing happened.
Myself and several other resident's family members complained that the memory care director, as well as CNA staff talk and text on their phones continuously, while Feeding residents, pushing wheelchairs, working in rooms, serving food. What kind of care are the residents getting if staff is talking and texting on their phones. The staff in assisted living, serving staff, kitchen staff, and office staff, and housekeeping staff DON't do that.
The care plan was followed at their whim. I can't count the times she did not have on pjs, She had on a soaked brief, or was pushed off to the side. On multiple occasions mom's thermostat was at 60 degrees in her room. Executive Director was told about that. Her response was to say we'll put a cage on thermostat. That Never happened. Why would anyone put a thermostat at 60?
Prior to the new director, staff toileted residents before a change of shift. I NEVER SAW THAT. The halls frequently smell of bm and urine. When asked when mom was toileted, no one had an answer. There was no schedule or consistency.
When we asked for mom's shower caddy, the CNA had no idea what we were talking about. Everything was kept in the residents rooms. Pretty sure that is against state guidelines. The good CNA s complain they were given no training by the memory care director. Complaints to the executive director did absolutely no good. Nothing ever changed. She said she was "working on it". Multiple residents have pulled their parents out, stating that "mom's not safe here. "
There are some exceptional staff there, but they are fed up with the TOXIC environment in memory care. (Their words, not mine) They know who they are, and we thanked them as we left the building, asking them to take care of residents.
Westview asked us to find another community. WE DID, and thank God for mom's new home.
As I said on no our way out. "I make no apology for demanding and expecting quality care for mom." We simply were not getting it.
For the sake of the wonderful families OF MEMORY CARE, and their loved ones, please DO SOMETHING!!!
If you have a loved one at westview of Ellisville, visit there often, visit at different times, and believe your loved ones stories about how they are treated. You have the right to expect quality care, and if you're not getting it, there are other MUCH MUCH MORE caring communities in west county.