"My grandfather is at Rainier Vista Adult Family Home in Lacey, and he's doing well. He's clean, and he talks to the workers really nicely, so I think he's settling in pretty well. He has his own bedroom, which was a plus. The price was also $6,500 a month, whereas the other ones were looking at about $8,500 to $9,200. I went in there unannounced three different times, and on each occasion, the facility was clean, and all their clients were clean. The place didn't smell like heavy cleaning products or urine. Every time I've been there now, it's the same.
The staff is very alert. They will sit down and play with the caregivers. Their meals are great. They cook the meals right there, and it's not like TV dinner style. It's actually something you would go to your grandparents, and you would see them having things like potatoes, brussels sprouts, and good meat. They are also right on a lake, so on the back patio, there's a pretty view, and I know it's kind of calming to older people. My grandfather has dementia, and they're equipped and have knowledge on that. The director there kind of guided me on how to help him. She works as a chef there, too. Just overhearing the workers with the other clients, you can tell that they know their stuff.
I just feel like my grandfather's in really good hands there, and that's what I was hoping to find. Somewhere that I don't have to stress out about him around the clock, and I know that he's safe. They're on top of his care. For instance, they knew he had UTI. When he was home, he had fallen, and I took him into the hospital, and they said he had it and probably had it for a couple of weeks. Just having that peace of mind, knowing that they're educated and have that background and certification, so he is in good hands. We would have never figured out that he had UTI ourselves. If there's someone who wants to go to the senior center or to the grocery store, they have a staff member take that person. I think they're just in the moment with those people. They're very present and not on their phones.
They have home-cooked meals, which are way better for these people than fast food. There's food available at all times, so when my grandpa was hungry, I just walked into the kitchen and told the staff there, and they came right in asking if he wanted some cookies and milk, or a sandwich. Those are some pretty good options for a snack. I wouldn't have any complaints. There are people with walkers, and there is one person with a wheelchair, and it's very accessible for all of them. The bathroom is also amazing because of the shower. You can just go in there, and it's at the right level with the floor, so it's very handicap-accessible. I think they've got a pretty good layout, and my grandfather has his own room. Other people in the house have to share, so I'm very thankful that he has his own space.
For activities, they'll go out for walks, go to the senior center, and go grocery shopping, or I would assume just walk around if they wanted to. I've walked in, and they've done chess, checkers, and card games. They have a TV in their living room, which has a couple of nice chairs that they can recline in. I'm sure that if they had more active people, they'd probably do more, but right now, they're probably doing what the clients need at this moment."