Bickford of Macomb

Bickford of Macomb has been the nicest of all the senior homes that I visited. The staff was warm, welcoming, interested, and cared about the residents. It was well put together and well thought out. The rooms were nice and looked comfortable. The facility itself was lovely and the food was good and served nicely.

My profession is an Elder Law attorney, and I am my county's Public Guardian. I have visited and looked after clients and friends in a number of facilities from complete skilled care to independent living. Our family placed my grandfather in Bickford about a month ago. I visited this weekend and was in the facility several times. The negative review from 2012 does not describe at all the facility that I experienced. First, it was exceptionally clean, and first class in appearance, quiet and comfort. The staff was exceptionally friendly, even on the weekend when there was no upper management around. (Weekends and evenings are a great time to check a facility.) Although my grandfather has some memory issues, he would have made a comment if he had a negative experience with employees. Grandpa hasn't made one negative comment to any family member. In the facility where he was prior, he wanted out every time someone visited. At Bickford, he's never once mentioned leaving. He enjoys the staff, and you can tell they enjoy him. The care is exceptional. My mother is a retired RN and she too has found nothing to complain about with Bickford. The food is great. I came around lunchtime to pick up Grandpa and he wasn't finished eating. They offered me a meal. I am a self declared "foodie," but I said yes. I was pleasantly surprised. The residents had several choices and it was balanced. I give them a five star because I couldn't find one minor issue to critique.

We chose this faility because the staff was very friendly and helpful when we went to visit. My aunt liked the size of the room because she could get her own furniture that she wanted to take in it. It was a one bedroom with a space for her couch and a desk. Also included was a small sink, microwave, and small refrigerator. It had a large walk in closet and a large bathroom. There was a dining room and a big living room which was had a pleasant atmosphere, although my aunt didn't spend much time there. There were rockers outside by the front door where people could sit when the weather was nice. There were planned activities on a daily basis and outings, There was a beauty shop and a resident nurse. The staff members were friendly and helpful. My aunt just didn't want to be there; she wanted to be in her own home. She was depressed and spent most of her time in her room in bed. She didn't like the food and didn't eat much. She lost weight and was going downhill, so when spring came she went back to her home and is much happier there. A lot of the residents there had dementia or altzheimer's, and my aunt didn't really make any friends. When I asked her why she said, "They're all old people who don't know anything."

Over all, my opinion of this particular facility is negative, but I will try mentioning a few positive aspects as well. The interior of the building seems to be recently refreshed- new paint, carpet and furniture in the living room and formal dining rooms. The food there was good in my experience, but I noticed that the choices, over all, are very fatty and unhealthy. Also, this Bickford is supposed to be considered assisted living, but there are about 35% of the residents that cannot walk, feed themselves or even push themselves in wheelchairs. Some of the staff are very pleasant, but in general, they seem grumpy and careless. I was very disappointed, as Bickford was established on such honorable means with the promise to enrich happiness and extend the lives of the elderly so that they my be happy and healthy for as long as possible. From what I saw, I do not believe that is what my parents would experience there.