I have been going to the Blake to visit residents that are and have lived there over the past three years, and see the loving care the residents receive. There are so many activities planned for the residents either at the Blake, like music concerts, luaus, country western, or trips to exiting places, like ice cream, pubs, wineries and more. The Director of Sales is always very cheerful when you see her and makes sure the residents are always heard. read more

This is THE WORST experience with a company I've ever experienced!!! Memory Care is a complete FAIL on humanity. Don't be fooled by the nice looking facade! The care is neglectful to say the least. Heather initially LIED to us as we signed our contract, we asked about staffing issues. She said, "We've got that fixed now because we don't hire agencies anymore, they all work for The Blake." HA! They couldn't function without agencies! And if you don't know what that means, there are random people coming in that don't care about doing their jobs and lie about your loved ones care. We got a camera for my grandmother's room where we found out some horrifying truths. 1. Agency workers talking about how they aren't going to do x,y and z for a resident because they're tired of being told to get off phones. 2. No one offering water and letting my grandma go without meals and taking meds on an empty stomach! I had to text Heather that no one had been in my grandma's room to get her up for breakfast OR lunch. Probably not dinner either if I hadn't said something. Then agency makes up lies that my grandma was tired from being up all night. Come on - we have a camera, she was in bed! 3. Workers on camera saying my grandma had, "Ants crawling all over her," in bed. 4. Because she was dehydrated and taking meds on empty stomach, she had multiple falls even when 2 people were assisting because according to one of the employees, "They are afraid to touch Memory Care residents." 5. Hygiene was terrible. Her teeth were never brushed and she rarely showered. To top it all off - we spent months talking with a merry-go-round of corporate people who are quite laughable and did nothing to resolve any care related concerns and they are also a revolving door. We shared concerns to Estella, Lorriene, Mindy, Paula (gone), Kyle (gone), Heather, and more. Because we constantly pointed out the lack of care and because Heather "didn't feel we liked her," their solution was to discharge my grandma. I'm a teacher and work with all types of people all the time and I've NEVER seen such a complete lack of management skills, professionalism, and huge deficit in empathy. They had no care about the trauma it would cause my grandma to move and she's one of the easiest residents they've had. It is sad what passes for care. They'll lie to you too and say oh, everything is fixed now. If you want your loved one's life to be short, move them in here. Oh, and then they said they would let her stay if we only gave them positive PR and reviews! We refused and moved her to a place that's actually caring for her. If you want more details on a wonderful place as I know good care is hard to find, my number is 434-989-7870. If your loved one is a resident here, I recommend filing a DSS complaint if youv3 noticed similar issues. They've had so many violations that they are on a 1-year probationary license that is up for renewal in December I believe. See attached documents of their ridiculousness. It's hard to say our care concerns are "unfounded" when it's all on camera. They're just afraid of being in hot water. I think I'll laugh out loud if I get a comment saying, "We're sorry you experienced this, call this number because we care." They care about $$$$$! read more

The Blake at Charlottesville - Assisted Living Facilities Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The purpose of this review is to save families the expense and grief of placing their loved ones at The Blake. My mom moved into Memory Care on 4/1/24, mobile and in good health. Soon, we realized the care agreed upon by The Blake, via signed contract, was nowhere close to reality. Diet was not followed, bathing was not regular. Clothes were worn days at a time. Fluids were not offered throughout the day and she became dehydrated. Once we found out after 2 wks that she had her first UTI. We were not notified. Her medications remained the same the entire 4 months she was there. I thank God that I had the foresight to put a camera in her room. One morning, an aide woke her up abruptly. My mother was dizzy and weak, yet the aide proceeded to seat my mom at her desk setting her breakfast plate in front of her. The aide left the room. My mom, too weak to feed herself, attempted to get up and to my horror she fell hitting her head. Bloodied, she crawled on the floor trying to get up. I called the front desk and got no one. Then, I remembered a friend was in the common area so I texted her to send help, which she did. We were in the ER for 5 hrs. Upon her return to The Blake, Manager, Heather Clark, promised she would put extra sets of eyes on my mom and make use of the alert system so this would not happen again. The next morning, 2 aides woke my mom up abruptly. They lifted her out of bed, but she fell back onto the bed. They both pulled her up again and proceeded to leave her room to take her down the long hall to breakfast! With 2 aides by her side, my mom was allowed to fall again hitting her head and bloodying her nose once again before leaving her room. They left her alone on the floor while waiting for help. She was taken to the ER again for another 5 hrs with the same scans and xrays as the day prior. The doctor admitted her. My daughter and I arranged a meeting with Heather and corporate's new pit bull, Estella Bowers. This was the first time we met her. She is without compassion, understanding or patience. Rather than discussing my mothers care, Estella proceeded to tell untruths turning the table on us. The only thing Heather said was, "Judy, one day you like me and the next you don't." That's when I realized it was personal. Then, Estella shoved a paper in front of us that said my mom had 30 days to get out. My mother is the kindest person you'd ever meet. A christian and easy to take care of and always thankful to the staff. My daughter and I were in shock! Clearly, there are waiting lists for memory care facilities and 30 days wasn't adequate time. It was my daughter's birthday and this ruined what we had planned for her later. I was physically ill for over a week. We were forced to tour other facilities during heat advisories. I've survived breast cancer twice, but this experience ranked right up there with bad things that have happened in my life. We called the local Ombudsman who called Estella Bowers to say 30 days was not adequate time. After our Ombudsman asked Estella about what she said in the conversation in the meeting, Estella realized that she could not back up her statements. Switching gears, she proceeded to tell the Ombudsman what to say to her boss, Will Otis, to get him to wave the 30 days (recorded). She called him and he agreed, but only if we removed our Google review first! Reviews are FREE SPEECH! Having us over a barrel we removed the review. Soon after, my mom had been wandering the hallways for 3 hrs trying to get someone to let her in her room. She fell again and hit her head. Her screams finally got the attention of a caregiver. After another ER visit, this time her scan revealed fluid on her brain. She was admitted and we removed her from The Blake telling them we would honor the 30 days. We had to place my mother in another facility for 2 wks until she could move to her new home. She contracted COVID for the first time in these 2 wks. Nightmare! We had several meetings during my mom's time at The Blake in which we were promised that things would get better. We even put a down payment on another facility, but were convinced by corporate personnel to cancel. Heather Clark is the only person at the Blake who has been there a while and it is she who corporate believes, not fully knowing the realities why it's in such a state. Corporate flies in from TN and FL for short periods of time. Not long enough and they even admit things aren't up to par, yet they still sign residents up. A few friends have removed their loved ones as well. Physician's have told me that The Blake Memory Care unit is their least favorite design because it's huge. I can't tell you how many residents we have helped while visiting my mom. Stuck in doorways, fallen, yelling for help, etc. One resident face planted and died. My mom is safe now in a smaller more manageable facility and we can now breath deeply that she is getting the care she deserves. Please pray for our family. read more

The Blake at Charlottesville - 3rd fall at The Blake. - Assisted Living Facilities Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We just attended a social function/luau at The Blake for residents, friends and family. It was a lot of fun for residents, families and staff. Great decorations, delicious food, beverages, a wonderful live band and dancing. It would have been outdoors if the weather had cooperated but Carol, the Activities Director and the other employees scrambled to accommodate the changing weather and everything was a huge success. The employees dressed in Hawaiian outfits and distributed beautiful leis to all the guests. One of the Blake's biggest strengths is the activities program. The residents go on fun weekly outings to wineries, restaurants and parks, there are numerous fun daily activities and family and friends are always welcome and encouraged to join in. The staff has come to feel like family. As our Mother said, "I believed The Blake was a place I could go to continue living and enjoying life." That has proven to be true. read more

Not only is The Blake a beautiful community, but the residents truly make it Home. It is an exceptional Senior Living Community.

My loved one has been at The Blake for a while now. It is quite nice inside, but as you dig deeper into what is actually going on, you won't feel the same. Employees and managers are quitting left and right due to poor leadership, basic things you are promised such as showering schedule, making sure laundry is done, and sticking to resident diets go ignored. Why fill out a detailed binder full of information about your loved one that no one actually reads??? People who try to do good and be honest are punished. It seems like management would prefer to "sweep things under the rug" rather than just be honest, friendly, and proactive. Considering moving my loved one out and exploring places that will actually DO WHAT THEY SAY! The few people trying to actually fix things just can't. It's been frustrating to say the least. My dad frequently visits and tells me that my Nanny is basically ignored. If they can't move around, feed themselves, or advocate for themselves, they are left to struggle. Several times I've overheard other families in the parking lot frustrated about the same issues. They plan on looking elsewhere, too. read more

The Blake is a beautiful community with very attentive staff to care for residents. There are many activities and events planned throughout each week. Each month has a different theme that is celebrated through food and activities. They just finished a wonderful Concert in Courtyard series! The quality of food at The Blake is far superior to that of other assisted living community. The homemade strawberry cake is delicious! read more

Heather Clark, Director of Sales, and Amber Schoultz, Director of Wellness, showed extraordinary care for my mother when she moved from the Blake's Assisted Living unit to its Memory Care unit. They understood how important it has been to her to make her new home seem as familiar as possible. They orchestrated the logistics of the move perfectly: she was in her new space (with the curtains I chose for her hung and her furniture attractively arranged) three hours after leaving the old! Now in her 102nd year, I expect this may be her last move. I am so grateful to them that it went as smoothly as it did. read more

Not enough staff or experience to take care of residents. The Director of Wellness last fall did not find time to meet me or my mom when we were first signing up and then moving in. She was then rude and hostile to me when we had an unexpected and unclear incident with my mom. Had to move her out after just one month. Be forewarned, meet all the care Directors before committing your loved one. read more

The Blake in Charlottesville is a wonderful place. It is the best in the area. They have great events like the "Concert in the Court yard". This give residence and guests yet another chance to interact with one another and to enjoy the music. The staff has been welcoming and are very supportive of every level of care needed. I strongly recommend taking a tour if you're looking for assisted or memory care living and a want a place to call home. read more

Our Mother has been at The Blake for the past year and has received excellent care. The staff are thoughtful, kind, positive, patient, and are able to effectively manage her progressing dementia. No system is perfect and when we have had any issues the staff and management are responsive to correct and fix any problems. Our mother has been able to maintain a high quality of life with appropriate activites and excellent chef quality food. We realize that it takes a village to care for our mother and we are grateful we chose The Blake as our village. read more

So far so good! My sister moved in September of 2020 so hasn't been able to take advantage of the many offerings yet. It's a beautiful place, much more to her tastes and not at all like a Facility. In fact, after a few weeks she asked me where the "Nurses Station" was. There isn't one! They provide concierge-type services where you call to the front desk with needs. I only got to taste the food once but it was delicious! Finally, it was less expensive than her previous assisted living facility to boot. read more

A 1 star only because I had to choose something.... My mom was in the memory care for 3 months. The care was absolutely terrible. The staff sits together on their phones while the residents are left in front if the tv. Never given water to drink, fed a bunch of sugar and zero activities. I didn't know anyone whose loved one was happy there. Management only cares about the residents on the AL side! Why? Because they have a voice and can speak up...therefore the few good nurses and PA's get stationed over there. Please think before you fall for the pretty building and all the show on Facebook. You'll be sorry if you choose this place. read more

The Blake at Charlottesville is an absolute treasure to have here in central VA, the community itself shows the southern elegance and resort style feel as soon as you walk in the door. The courtyard is one of the most beautiful I have seen in a community for quite sometime. The staff is very attentive and care a lot about the residents. The dining experience that The Blake at Charlottesville has to offer is top notch and nothing short of an amazing experience. read more

no place is perfect, remember that. The Blake has good things and bad things about it. The staff turnover is terrible. They can't seem to keep anyone. The staff is very nice and as soon as you get to know someone, they are gone. Conclude from that what you want. The biggest problem I know of is the food. It is simply inedible. My mother was just out of the hospital and wanted jello because there was not much choice and they didn't have any. No, she wasn't up to eating lasagna! I believe all older people need an advocate. Some of them are too timid to speak up when they have no hot water, for example. If your loved one will have an advocate, the very expensive Blake can be managed, imho. read more

My parents love it here! Nicest Assisted Living facility in the area by far and great location. Quality of Care is top notch as well. Far exceeds expectations. read more