Sanctuary at the Oaks #1

When my mother first went there and was independent living it was fine. She didn't need extra help so all was fine for a few years. This past January she needed to be moved to the assisted floor. Her rent was doubled because of the extra care they said she needed. Well, there is no extra care given. The majority of the aides are very rude to her. She can push her button and it can take 30 minutes or more for them to respond. Meds have been given at various times, not the prescribed times, and she rarely gets the meal listed and sometimes none at all. With the fire they just had patients had to evacuate. She went to a sister's house there in Muskegon for two weeks but charge her for the full month anyway. They told her she could come back on a Thursday, my brother took her back Friday. She was told she'd have to go in memory care because there was no help on her floor and could return there in 48 hours which of course didn't happen. While there she received very few meals. I called the kitchen and was told they didn't even know she was there and it had already been two days. She cut her leg on the bed and there was blood everywhere but when she pulled the emergency cord no one came. She got sick and was vomiting, pulled her cord, pounded on the walls, when someone came to the room a couple hours later they used her personal towel to wipe up the vomit and then threw it in the trash. She was left in her soiled clothes and bedding. The following day she was in terrible pain but not one would come so she called my brother who could get no answer when he called The Oaks so called hospice. Thank God we have them. They went there and took care of her. She is back in her assisted room now. I had to go down today when she called as her bedding and nightgown were soaked through. Her leg was bleeding and running down into her sock and there was a puddle of dried blood on the floor. When I was there an aide came in to empty the trash and I asked her to help me change the bedding. She said she was just taking out trash but would let her aide know. The aide came in, pointed at the clock and said"It's literally my time to leave but I'll let the next girl coming on know and it will get changed."40 minutes later I changed her bedding and cleaned her up. I had filled out her whole menu for a week and they bring her something else. I would not recommend this place ever! We are looking into other places.

I was recently invited to attend an event at The Village at the Oaks. There were staff introductions, good Octoberfest Food, and great music on the accordion. We were even invited to sing along from time to time. The event was well organized, the staff friendly and the food was great. Another example of how well they do what they do.

At 89 years old, my dear friend of 51 years found a safe and comfortable place at the Village. He had been ailing with congestive heart failure and diabetes. As a result of being a former NFL lineman, his knees were also shot, but could get around with a walker. He had to leave his trailer and after two ER visits, was discharged to a SNH Rehab facility; then, to respite care and finally to a senior independent living studio apartment at the Village. This was the right place for him at this time of his life—affordable despite being low-income, comfortable, meals and housekeeping services, as well as 24/7 staff presence. The staff were wonderful—accommodating, attentive and caring. My 90-year old father lived at the Village for two years when it just opened in the early 2000s. My father and I experienced the same level of caring while he lived. So, I can highly recommend The Village at the Oaks for both assisted living and independent living without any reservation whatsoever!

I had a family member move into the Oaks not too long ago after the death of his spouse. He is enjoying this new chapter in his life. Anytime I visit him the staff are amazing m, they’ve taken the time to get to know him and he lives the food. We are so happy he’s found The Village at the Oaks!

This place shouldn’t be trusted with a houseplant, let alone a human being. They promised care and compassion in their memory unit, but once your loved one is through the door, they stop pretending. They quite literally don’t feed people. My family member was left to starve because she couldn’t feed herself and they knew that when they took her in. The aides are unbelievably lazy, and the supervision is even worse. A monkey could run this place better (and probably with more empathy). There are no actual nurses in sight, just untrained staff “medical aides” coasting through shifts while management looks the other way. If you value your loved one’s dignity, safety, or even their next meal.. stay far, far away.