Downey Retirement Center

Downey was a nice place. The people were super nice and very informative, but it was not the right place for my sister. The rooms were nice, fine, clean, and presentable. The residents looked happy.

The surroundings were a little bit shabby in Downey Retirement. I wasn't impressed. It was kind of dreary and run down. I wouldn't say anything good about this place. I'm not saying it is dirty, but it is depressing. I wouldn't want to live there, and I wouldn't want any of my family to live there either. I saw a room over there, and its bathroom had nothing modern in it. Some of the rooms only have provisions for two people to sit. It was a depressing place, and there was nothing cheery about it.

The facility is very clean and tidy. Carpets are clean and free from spider webs and no cracks in the glass. The doors are easy to open for the residents. Of course the smells of the facility are not very pleasent and the food does not appeal to the residents, but some are put on a special diet and the staff sticks to the diet thier doctor orders and they don't like that. The staff is freindly and hopefully they speak english, especially for the residents. My grandmother only speaks english and sometimes it is difficult and frustrating for her when she needs something or has a question. The fix it people are okay. Sometimes they can be a little sloppy in the residents room. The residents are freindly. You occationally have those residents who are annoying but that is not the facilities fault. The tidiness of the grounds could be neater and sweeped up more. They have dances and activities that all residents can enjoy. I know my grandmother likes to dance.They also have guest entertainment such as choirs and singers. They get a holiday show during Christmas which is nice, because sometimes residents get sad and lonely during that time of year. Hours you can visit are good and you can even have meals in the dinning room with your relitive if you wanted and of course if there is room at the table. Each resident pays for their own telephone and cable, there is no satilite availble, but they have a t.v. room that they can watch movies with fellow residents. I think that is a good idea because they can be in a common area. They also get to go on outings. A bus picks them to go to the mall or speciallty store ie 99 cent store or cvs. It is a good place, but just like a lot of things it is not perfect and had room to improve.

This facility that I toured offers 24 hr Dementia/Alzheimer's Care in a unit called "Oasis" w/in a assisted living level of care. It is secured. They also offer respite, short stays for families who just want a break, or who are going on vacation. They are located across the street from a hospital and a nursing home. Downey is a bedroom community w/ low crime rates and it is safe. The facility is in a downtown area close to shopping, restaurants and medical facilities. The staff are friendly and caring. The facility seems clean and well maintained. I would recommend it for placement.