Ashwood Meadows Gracious Retirement Living

Not only is the atmosphere and food excellent there are always great activities to participate in such as various games, trips, and exercise classes. Not only is it good from a health standpoint but also to help keep your mental health in tact.

Ashwood Meadows was very nice. They were friendly and kind. The food was nice, too. The staff was very gracious and the ones who showed me around were very nice.

My mom has been at this place for about three years. It looks elegant when you first walk into the grand dining room with its curved staircase and baby grand piano. First my mom was in a cramped 1 BR apartment that only had a heat pump in the living room, so the bedroom and bathroom were very cold, with no air circulation. The carpet was mildewed and smelly. The only bedroom window was up along the ceiling -- no view. A really depressing place! When a 2 BR became available the following year, she moved downstairs to a wonderful, sunny and spacious residence with lots of full windows and heat pumps in all rooms. It was like another world! So she is comfortable now, with these exceptions: The fire alarm has a problem and goes off a lot. There are no security cameras. A personal safe is a must, and take your purse with you at all times. This is not an assisted living facility, so it's not safe for people with Alzheimer's. They tend to wander out the automatic doors. All meals are formal and take two hours. It's a huge waste of time, and residents get cranky waiting for the next course. Ashwood Meadows changed ownership this year, and it has been turned into a training facility for fledgling managers who do not try to develop a relationship with residents. Meals have suffered in food quality and portions. Between-meal coffee, tea and snacks were taken away because, as one director said, "You eat too much." Activities and other amenities have been cut back as well. Mom says the bus schedule has become shorter and unyielding. Meanwhile, the rent went up about $200 after the takeover. Good points: rental is month-to-month, comfortable living if you have the 2 BR apartment, a little movie theater, chapel on Sunday and Wednesday rosary, high-raised outdoor beds for gardeners, nice housekeeping staff, visiting nurses, very close to the hospital and lots of eateries. The real test is when I offer to help her move somewhere else, Mom chooses to stay.

Ashwood Meadows is a wonderful facility. Top notch management/staff as well. This is an independent living facility and is marketed as such. It is a great value, you get a lot for the monthly rent! I can't say enough good things about this place. The rooms are very nice, and they clean them once a week for the residents. They have lots of activities and outings. The food is good and well prepared. They also have a bus that provides transportation for specially planned outings as well as trips to the Doctor or grocery store. The other residents there are very friendly as well. A fantastic community!!