Retirement Center of Arkansas

Provider Response

Thanks for the kind review Billie, I hope we can continue to meet your needs. It will be even better once you come off of quarantine and can move around the building. Be sure to let us know if there is anything else that you need to make your stay better.

Provider Response

We understand that placing a loved one in any unfamiliar setting can be overwhelming to the individual and their families. Guilt and disparity are common emotions during the transition process. There is an adjustment period that will take place to become more acclimated and comfortable for all. Although our community is not "shiny and new", it does provide a safe and clean environment for all of our patrons that reside with us to receive the support and services that they need, and would otherwise likely not obtain without the support from our staff. With the added restrictions and responsibilities surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this puts added stress on our community staff. This alone would elevate their concern with a new admission that may or may not have been tested, and that the family member was inside the building as we are supposed to be on visitor restrictions. Our community staff were trying to limit risk, while at the same time accommodate for a family that was going through a new transition. Their behavior was based on concern for all of the other staff and residents at the community, and nothing more. Our dietary menus are reviewed and approved by a certified dietitian or certified dietary manager per regulatory compliance. We would take any specific feedback into consideration for adjustments to present to our dietary staff. As much as we regret the emotional feelings this individual had during her short visit, our hope is that she finds the right fit in a community so that her father can be receiving the care that he needs.

Provider Response

Since most of our residents do not drive, but rely on our community staff for transportation needs, there hasn't been a warranted need for additional parking. Depending on the time of day, we will have several employees and possibly 3rd party support providers for our residents who utilize the parking spaces. However, the church next door has been open to using the side of their parking lot as long as it doesn't encroach on any planned activities for them. Shared bathrooms are common in communities that have semi-private apartments and/or dormitory style living, such as our community. They still have their own private living spaces, but share a common bathroom. Community living options do face daily challenges like temporary odors, spills, noises, etc., which are inconvenient and seemingly untimely. Since we utilize universal workers, they are constantly providing assistance, which is a priority, and other tasks that include housekeeping. I apologize that this individual's visit was less than satisfactory, and we will do our diligence to ensure our community is kept clean and presentable at any given time to the best of our abilities, especially for our residents.