Brookdale Utica

Annette

I visited Brookdale Utica assisted living, and they also have the memory care building right next door. The lady we talked to, Nicole, was super friendly, gave us a lot of information, and was open with a lot of our questions. She listened to all of them. My mom had about 30 questions to ask her, and she answered all of them and gave us a tour of the place so we can check it out. They had a couple of rooms made available and showed us the different areas of where they would eat. It was very clean and very updated, for being there for 20 some years, it looked like they just built it. It was a very nice area, it was open. I met a couple of the residents and they were super nice ladies, they liked the place and were joking around with Nicole. So it was just a good experience. Overall, it was clean and didn't smell at all, which is good. It was just a nice environment to go to, and knowing that if I put my dad there, I would not have any cares or concerns as far as how he would be treated.

John

The thing I liked least about Brookdale Utica is that they have junkyard dogs at the desk. The thing I liked the best about it is it's a beautiful facility. It was really quite deluxe. At the time, most of the people were restricted to their rooms unless they were wearing a mask, so it wouldn't be all that pleasant at the time. I think it's open now. The people at the very front desk, they should have gotten rid of those people, but it was a very nice facility. It's just the front staff, but if you look at the facility and the stuff that they have there, it all looks great. I'd rate the front desk staff a zero, but the marketing person I'd rate a five. They were on a lockdown when I went up there, so there weren't any activities going on in the common room, nor could I see anybody about. It was like 3:00, the restaurant had been closed, and it wasn't open for dinner. It's out of the question because of their crappy front staff, but they have a reputation from a number of other people, that it's a place where the guests or residents are very well taken care of. The food's supposed to be first rate, and there are doctors coming in and out of there. They got a really good reputation. They showed me where the salon was. They said, "This is where you get your hair done by appointment." They have hairdressers that come in. All of it was first rate. That place was very clean, and very nice.

Provider Response

Robyn

I like Brookdale Utica. The staff was very friendly and professional. It's very clean and well organized. As soon as I walked in, I had a sense of a very welcoming environment versus some other facilities that I visited. That's why I selected Brookdale. I toured assisted living, but Brookdale provides both assisted living and memory care. They have a list of activities weekly. It could be anything from an ice cream social. I think next week, Tuesday, they were going on an outing of some sort, but I noticed they have a calendar with regular events. They also have a menu, so they have a selection that they can have for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What I like about it, too, is they provide all the services, all the meals, the prescription management, they clean the apartment every week, they provide their towels, and they do all their laundry. From a perspective of that as a daughter, that's nice to know that they provide all those services because I'm still working full time and I have my own home and family. It's nice to know that's all being taken care of for my mother. I've been working with the sales and marketing director since day 1, and she does a phenomenal job. Their menu is very diverse and it looks good, but she hasn't lived there yet, so I don't have any feedback from her on that. I liked that it's a smaller senior community. The assisted living is in one building and memory care is in a separate building just adjacent to it, which I think is a good idea. What I like about it, from the assisted living standpoint, is it's only two floors and it had a simple layout. What I've noticed with some of the other facilities that I visited, sometimes too much busyness and too much activity and loudness are not good for patients who have dementia and Alzheimer's. I think this caters to a more intimate type of environment where I think residents and staff can get to know each other more easily and I like that environment. What I like about it, too, is I've already had a nurse from Brookdale assess my mom and I was there during the assessment, so it helped Brookdale to make sure that I'm selecting the best level of care based upon a medical review of my mom and where she's at mentally and I thought that was nice.

L A B

Because the facility is smaller the caregivers are able to give time to each individual resident. They are very helpful and caring. Often they go above and beyond their regular duties.

Sandra

My mother-in-law is happy at Brookdale Utica. It's a smaller facility, and dining is broken down into smaller groups. There are only 8 residents eating in the dining area, and she is comfortable with that. She likes the staff. They're friendly, and she has not complained about the food. Her room is small, but just enough for her. She played Bingo, they bring in food from outside, she gets her hair done, they do sitting exercises, and she plays cards with people.

Kim

My mom's move to Brookdale Utica has been OK so far. We're currently training staff members on how to use equipment there. She's making friendships there and so far so good. She's in a nice room with good space, she's got a nice view out of her window, and it's really clean. One thing we're working on is her diabetic diet. They have good food there, but it's just a lot of carbs. They're short on staff members. In the afternoons and evenings they only have four staff members for all 46 residents, so that's something we're trying to adjust to. There's only two staff members on the first floor and two on the second floor from 2:00 to 7:00 in the evening, and that's not enough. She's participating in almost all of the activities there because they have quite a few. In terms of value, I would rate them a three because she pays out-of-pocket so that's really high dollars, and none of them knows how to use her equipment yet. Plus, they're not controlling her diet as of now. They have really nice facilities like a big handicapped bathroom with a toilet and shower on each floor. They have four dining halls that fit about ten residents each.

Danny

My dad was in Brookdale Utica. For somebody that wants activities, that would not be the place. It's laid back. I had no problems with any of the people there at all. They were all very nice and very helpful. It was really a good place. It was nice and quiet and that's what my dad wanted. His room was nice, it had a bath, a dresser, a chest of drawers, and it was all carpeted, it was all in good shape, and everything was clean. The dining area had nice little small areas with six tables in each area. It was more of a personal atmosphere, and the food was good.

HighStandards

First the negative-call light alarm sounds overhead loudly and frequently-very annoying! Positive-warm and welcoming long term management staff. Bottom line-meet the top management staff and then also observe the workers at any place you tour-do they smile and make eye contact with you? seem courteous?

Cynthia458076

The size of the rooms at Brookdale Utica would not be compatible for my aunt. They were too small for her, but the price was reasonable. It was very nice, very caring, and had great activities. For somebody else, it would be great.

Suzie707782

Everything is nice at Brookdale Utica. They have common areas, a coffee shop, and a beauty shop. The staff is informative and tell you everything that they can do for you.

CT773246

Brookdale Utica was wonderful, but they need to have a nutritionist on staff. Other than that, the place was great. The staff was very nice and very accommodating. Everything about the place was nice.

Larry452771

My father is in Brookdale Utica, and it’s been wonderful. The staff, the facilities, and the activities have been great. The staff genuinely care. They’re not just sitting and texting on their phones and are always attentive to the residents. His room is more than adequate, very clean, and well laid out.

Patricia120994250

Brookdale Utica was very loud, so my mom did not like it, but the staff was very nice. The place itself and the apartments were fine. There were a lot of people in wheelchairs not talking to each other, which did not appeal to my mom.

Provider Response

Kristen14

Brookdale Utica is really nice. It would have been my first choice. The longevity of the staff is one of the main reasons that I would have picked it. I knew a staff member who's been there for years. They allowed pets. I did not try the food, but it smelled and looked good; they have cooks that come in.

Caring112059150

Brookdale Utica was an excellent facility. It was small, but it didn't fit my mother's need. It didn't meet her criteria. The people were wonderful. They're very nice, very helpful, and very informative. There were some activities, and they did have a very nice dining area.

Caring98999950

The one person that I met at Wynwood of Utica was very helpful, and I didn't see anything there that concerned me. The reason that I didn't spend a lot of time there was it wasn't the right place for my parents right now. They are living on their own and doing fine. They took me into a room, and it just seemed more like a nice hospital room. It didn't seem like a living space so much to us. So, that's not what we were looking for, and it was clearly for people who needed a lot more help. It looked more institutional.

Charles Son

I had been looking for a facility for my father since March when my mother passed and my father was in Shelby Nursing Center when they just told me I had to have my father out within 5 days or they would start charging me. Wynwood bent over backwards not only to help make my fathers care affordable but to have all his medical needs ready before his discharge and let us in early to decorate and move his things to his apartment. The staff is friendly and you can tell they care. My wife and I interviewed residents outside the presence of any staff and their families and could not find anyone that gave other than rave reviews at this facility. My father moves in Monday and I am looking forward to working with the staff of Wynwood and my father and my first meal with dad at the facility on Monday. I would like to thank the entire staff of Wynwood for helping through this last minute requirement and showing the kindness and compassion we did not find at other local facilities that Wynwood provided and I are sure my father will enjoy living at Wynwood of Utica. Thanks again to the staff of Wynwood you helped me during a very trying time and I cannot express my gratitude enough...You gave my peace of mind while other facilities gave me roadblocks...

Caring41604050

Number 1: Wynwood Utica is short staffed. You don't get the level of care you do at a rehab place. You don't get that personal attention. I would not recommend it. It's a nice place; the environment is OK. But there are a few things we found out that we were not aware of. They don't tell you everything when you get in there. They don't give you all the facts. They're very expensive. I know it's a very competitive business. My mom has been there since May. She came from rehab. We had to find a place quick, and we didn't have a lot of time. But they're strictly assisted living, and she needs 24/7 care. That's why it's so expensive. She needs extra care, she can't walk, and she's 89 years old. There are a lot of problems with billing we have to watch. We'll see how things go. The staff is friendly, but they're just overworked. They're not really qualified to do a lot of things. It's assisted living, it's not a rehab place, and they're not all nurses. Some are just assistants, and not all have the same level of qualification to care for a patient.

Caring73512150

My mother is in Wynwood. We choose it because we know someone who stayed there and the feedback is positive. The facility is clean. They are very receptive. They take good care of her by checking on her constantly. They do everything that I request for them to do. The food is excellent. The entertainment is good. We are happy with everything about it.

Linda18

The location, availability, and references from other people that are in Wynwood are the reasons why we chose this facility. The staff is all pleasant. My mother-in-law has only been there three weeks, so we're still feeling things out. But so far everything's okay. She said the food is good. If she wants something different than what's on the menu, they'll give it to her. Any issues that I've brought up has been taken care promptly. The rooms were very spacious, nice decor and all that. That was one of the reasons too why we chose it. Although I don't think they clean often enough.

stammy20

This was a very nice home. The environment was clean and well kept. The staff were friendly, outgoing and helpful. I visited here with a friend of mine who's mother is a resident and it was a surprisingly delightful experience. The staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. My friend's mother was happy and seemed very comfortable. This facility offered varying degrees of care, depending on what each individual resident needed. My friend's mother was able to do many things for herself and maintains her mobility so she was able to help out with simple tasks which made her feel more at home. They also provide many activities for the residents and seem to keep them very entertained. I visited with my friend's mother and because of how happy and content she seemed I made an appointment for my husband to come in a visit the facility as my mother in law is now in need of assisted living and prior to my visit with this facility, we were hesitant to seek assisted living.

Carol725

This facility is very home like, safe, friendly and clean. All of the residents are known by name They are treated with respect and handled as individuals with individual needs. My Mom lives in this facility and is very happy there. She likes the fact that because she is mobil they let her help out with simple jobs and this makes her feel useful.She also enjoys the activities and trips that they provide.She feels that her days are very full.

JessicaD

This facility is different than a lot of the others I visited while looking for a place for my grandmother. They have a unique way of doing things, instead of having a set rate or program for everybody they customize a plan for each person. I liked their idea of doing this because most seniors have different needs than others, and this way they only have to pay for the services they need. The staff told us that they regularly assess their patient's needs because they realize that these things can change often. Besides medical needs they also help with everyday things if needed, from getting dressed, bathing, medications, cleaning of apartments, taking out trash, pet care, and a lot of other things. They also provide 3 meals a day and have places for the residents to socialize, like the game room, courtyard, beauty salon, and they even have a garden that the residents can grow vegetables in. I really liked that they had a garden, I've never seen a senior facility that had one and my grandmother loves to garden so giving her a chance to do that might make her feel more at home.