Midtowne Assisted Living and Memory Care

Caryn Dreibelbis

For me, this is likely closer to a 2.5, but google doesn't allow for partials so I rounded up. Pros: smaller memory care unit allows for better care (in my opinion -- I haven't researched whether smaller units truly equal better care), easy process for cameras in room, some caring individuals that go above and beyond, and it is a clean, beautiful facility with a room you can reserve for family gatherings. My grandmother loved salon visits. We were always informed if she had a fall. Despite all the cons below, I am still confident my grandmother was safer here than in her own home, but I wouldn't have left it to the facility alone. I would not have been comfortable without cameras or paid private caregivers in addition to her hospice visits. Cons: can be difficult to get a hold of staff, can be difficult to resolve issues that arise in care, very difficult to confirm medication is received and is being administered particularly medication that is not regularly scheduled (although I have many instances of this, the worst was delay in starting comfort care medications from hospice as the medication couldn't be found -- turned out it was in the med room the whole time. In the meantime, my grandmother was given crushed tylenol in water as she could not swallow; she had a visible reaction to the taste that was difficult to watch and that we were left to give to her), and not feeling like a team caring for your loved one. Typically, when I had to advocate for my grandmother it was met with resistance, and I would have to prove either via email, phone, caregiver reports, or camera footage that something didn't occur in order to help get an issue addressed. Apologies after such instances never occurred. For full picture, I do think there are ways our particular situation led to worse care that were not the facility's fault, but I do think the facility could have managed better. We live out-of-state, which I think led to my grandmother not being prioritized and that would mean that things came to our attention a few days after a problem. In addition, having private caregivers as well seemed to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, someone would be there to help advocate for granny. On the other, it resulted in decreased checks because they assumed she always had help despite us communicating otherwise. If I think of anything else specific that could be helpful for family members about Midtowne, I will edit this comment as I believe it's important to have access to as much information as possible.