At first, it seemed like this community was headed in the right direction under new ownership. The building updates have been great, and the potential for a truly wonderful senior living environment is there. However, the current Executive Director (ED) is severely mismanaging operations, creating major concerns for both residents and staff.
One of the biggest issues is the misuse of Certified Medication Technicians (CMTs) in roles meant for licensed nurses. Nursing requires extensive training and years of experience, yet CMTs--who do not have the same level of medical education--are being put in positions where crucial healthcare decisions are at risk. For example, a resident nearly suffered serious consequences after missing an important medical procedure because a new CMT failed to enter orders correctly. The mistake led to other CMTs unknowingly administering medications that should have been stopped before the procedure. Had the doctor not asked the resident directly about their medications, the outcome could have been far worse. It's unclear whether the new CMT didn't know who was responsible for entering orders, didn't know how, or simply overlooked it--but a trained nurse would have been far less likely to make such a dangerous error.
In addition to healthcare concerns, the workplace environment has become toxic and unfair. The ED frequently hires personal friends and connections, giving them special treatment while overlooking long-time employees who have dedicated themselves to this community. For example, caregivers who went above and beyond by working overtime to cover staff shortages were denied bonuses--even when they specifically asked--being told they only receive overtime pay. However, in other cases, select individuals with personal ties to management have received bonuses for the same work. This type of favoritism is discouraging to hardworking staff and is creating resentment among employees who have been loyal to the community for years.
Because of these ongoing issues, many residents are considering leaving because they no longer feel heard, valued, or properly cared for. If these problems aren't addressed soon, the community will continue to decline.
That being said, there are still incredible staff members doing their best despite poor leadership. The Activities Director is fantastic, and her work is a major reason why some residents are still staying. There is also a dedicated CMT who works tirelessly to ensure residents receive proper care, despite the overwhelming challenges. The cleaning crew does a great job keeping the building in excellent condition, and the Kitchen Manager is hands-on and genuinely cares about the residents. The HR team even steps in to help residents on their own time, which is commendable. Additionally, many longtime CNAs continue to provide outstanding care even as they worry about job security due to unfair workplace bias.
Call to Action
This community has the potential to be great, but major changes in management are needed. I urge the owners to step in, evaluate the leadership, and take resident concerns seriously. Specifically:
1. Ensure licensed nurses, not CMTs, are handling critical medical responsibilities.
2. Implement fair workplace policies to eliminate favoritism and reward hardworking staff appropriately.
3. Listen to residents and prioritize their needs over personal agendas.
Until these issues are addressed, the quality of care and workplace morale will continue to suffer.
Final Rating: (2 Stars)
I'm giving two stars only because of the hardworking staff who continue to go above and beyond despite poor leadership. Without them, this place would deserve even less. I hope these concerns lead to real changes, because this community truly could be a wonderful home for seniors--if managed correctly. read more