Brookdale Virginia Beach

Paula

Brookdale Virginia Beach is awesome. They do a lot of paintings, games, reading, puzzles, take them out, and have birds on site. Mom's room is very nice and very spacious. They have common areas, a beauty salon, small dining areas instead of one big long hall, and a lot of sofas spread out around. The food is amazing. They have a chef on staff who is amazing.

Anonymous

The rooms at Brookdale (Brookdale Virginia Beach) were large. They had birds and a guinea pig, so I like the fact there were live animals there for the residents to look at. There were areas to sit, relax, and watch movies. The staff was very friendly. I went there on the weekend but nobody was doing too much of anything. They said they had activities.

Caring103581150

The next one that I went to was Clare Bridge. This was an older place than the first one, but it looked clean, and they were in the process of painting and fixing up some of the rooms. Actually the rooms weren't big, but I really liked this one because the staff and the girl that conducted the tour -- Christine -- was very knowledgeable with the elder people and the things that they do. I really felt a warm welcome from her, and she has followed up with me several times on finding out the status of my mom because my mom never ended up going into assisted living. She kept getting back with me. Some of the others did, maybe once, but then after I told them what the deal was, I haven't heard back. But Christine even sent me stuff when they have certain events there like family night and stuff like that. She said we were welcome to come any time and to bring my mother; she was very helpful. To me, this was the number one place. This is the place where I would probably want my mom to go.

LGB Virginia Beach

My family has just placed our Mom in Clare Bridge. While this has been a traumatic and emotional time for all of us, I wanted to share my first impressions. Walking through the front door the first time, I felt the warmth and welcoming atmosphere flowing through the hallways. The management staff were incredibly friendly and supportive throughout the whole process from touring the facility up to bringing Mom in and settling her in her room. All of the staff treat the residents with respect and dignity; everyone there treats each person with friendliness and care. Clare Bridge is clean, the décor and atmosphere are homey and comfortable, family members are made to feel welcome, Mom's room is not cramped and small - there is ample room for her furniture we brought from home, the activity program seems to be substantial, interaction with family is encouraged - in short, I feel very positive that we have placed Mom in the right place. I did not rate Clare Bridge with five stars, because Mom has only been a resident for two days - as time goes by I am sure the fifth star will be added.

VAF

Unbelievable turnover here, both the floor staff and directors. I've lost count of how many directors there have been since we moved my father there in September of 2014. Would be afraid to move him again at this point as it would only make him go deeper into his dementia. Ask about the turnover before you move you loved one here. Also, the staff have been cut back, the price has gone up. Go figure. Also, the billing is absurdly confusing.

Provider Response

Loved One13

Clare Bridge has provided our family with an unparalleled level of support during a very difficult stage of Alzheimer's. The staff has been very welcoming and have many opportunities for us to interact with my father in a substantial way. The rooms are very clean. I love that the residents can walk into the courtyard throughout the day and still be supervised and protected by staff. My kids have found it to be a cheerful place where they can enjoy time with their grandfather, who is in the advanced stages of the disease. They were not encouraged or particularly welcomed at the previous facility when they wanted to come have lunch with him or to participate in activities. I am part of the "sandwich generation" and having my children with me during visits is sometimes necessary but is also healthy for their grandfather. When my Dad was sent to the hospital, the charge nurse continued to provide us with support even on her days off. Genuine care for our loved one is unique in our experience and means the world to us. The only thing I regret is that we didn't explore this home a year ago, when my Dad could have enjoyed these aspects more.

Caring92271350

Clare Bridge of Virginia Beach Estates was in a fair neighborhood. The grounds were fine and well kept. I don't know what it was about Clare Bridge, but when I went in I just felt depressed. It had a very depressing atmosphere. The patients were depressed; the staff was depressed -- that was not where I wanted my wife to be. I don't know if it was just me, but it was a very depressing place.

Provider Response

Patti11

Clare Bridge of Virginia Beach was a really nice place. I like their staff a lot. I also like the person running this place. They have good activities there. They have a good connection program. I think it is a viable place because when my mom needs memory care, they have a situation there where they have someone come in and spend a couple of hours here with my mom. Then they would take her over there, so that she would get used to the place. She would get used to them in a more gradual fashion, which I'm kind of encouraged about.

Caring74703950

The guy that works at Clare Bridge spent so much time with me and called me back several times. I would have to say that the best thing I liked was the cleanliness of the place and how personable they were. They would really listen. When you walk in I see the look in the people's eyes that they care for the residents. There are no hard eyes. There's no fear. The place was nice and it's just relaxed. They also have animals there.

Sarah N

I have been visiting my friend's mother at Clare Bridge for 3 years now. The staff have all been there together for a long time which I know is not common & everyone gives Beatrice all the care and attention she can handle. Just recently, they had a renovation & now it's even more light & bright than before. My mother was just recently diagnosed with dementia & we are planning on bringing her here once the time is right because of the quality of the community, the cleaniliness, the friendliness & the care. It's a beautiful place and has an amazing atmosphere - I really love it!

Doug6

Clare Bridge was average. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't horrible. It was comfortable, the staff was very nice, but it just wasn't for us. It's just too far away, about 25-minute drive.