Rittenhouse Village at Northside

I found the Rittenhouse Village at Northside for my grandmother. They take Medicaid. There weren't a lot of activities going on that I could see. I liked the location best. The thing I like least is that because it was the last room available, they were more concerned about whoever filled the spot, as opposed to whoever put a deposit down. We put a deposit down. They said that if somebody was willing to pay in full, they would be disregarding our deposit and going with whoever was paying in full. The consultant we spoke with was a five. The executive director is probably a two. Most of them are very friendly and willing to help. It's small; there's not a lot of places for them to go in the facility. They have a few rooms, and it seems pretty small and compact. They have a salon. There was very small outdoor space, a very small activity area (like the activity room), a living room, and a library. It seemed to be very clean. It was near her house.

My mother moved into Rittenhouse about two years ago. It has been a long two years. She is moving out in a few weeks. The place has changed management numerous times within these two years. The chaos that has ensued has been heartbreaking: - My mother had an iPad stolen from her room, with very little support from the staff to help her find it. - Her laundry has been mixed up with other residents - never to be found again. - Although her doctor indicated that staff was to give her her medication, several months after moving in, a staff member handed her a bottle of her medicine telling her she should take it herself. - For months, her bathroom was infested with ants. - The residents are taken to the library to get books, but then not taken back to the library in time to return the books. - Two times, my mother signed up for a YMCA membership because they were taking the residents there to swim. Both times, within months, they either simply stopped going or stopped going frequently enough to make the cost worth it. I paid for that membership. My mother has dementia and did not alert me to the fact that they had stopped going. There is NO communication between Rittenhouse staff and family. So I found out months later that they were not going to the YMCA anymore, as I continued to pay for a YMCA membership for her. - Rittenhouse stopped supplying residents with paper towel and toilet paper. I was not notified. My mother ran out of toilet paper. When she asked for more, she was told that that's the family's responsibility. (Families cannot know what is their responsibility unless they are told.) - Our bills change every month. When I ask why, I am given answers that don't make sense to me. When I've asked for more clarification, I've been met with hostility. - Rittenhouse charges $400 for a private room for a Medicaid waiver resident. If you are looking for an assisted living facility for a loved one on a waiver, please know that this is the exception -- not the rule. There are other assisted living facilities in the Indianapolis area where a Medicaid waiver resident can get a room with no extra charge for a private room. - One of the craziest things that happened had to do with a medication dosage increate. I learned that Rittenhouse had decreased my mother's anti-depressant. When I asked one of the nurses why, she told me that my mother's pharmacy had decreased the dosage. I finally got the true story some time later. But for about 48 hours it was just this one LPN I was in contact about it who insisted that a pharmacy could change my mother's dosage and had done so. - It is far too difficult to get through to the director and the office manager at Rittenhouse. I've been told SO MANY TIMES that people would call me back -- never to hear from them. I've sent emails, never to hear back. I do think that the newest manager of Rittenhouse is very kind and very determined to turn the place around. And perhaps she'll be able to. I hope so. I've gotten to know so many of the residents over the past two years. Some of them I've truly to come to love -- as has my mother. And there are some employees at Rittenhouse that I will miss so much. But my mother's deserves better than what Rittenhouse has been for the past two years, and what it currently is.

Rittenhouse Village at Northside was nice, clean, and kept up very nicely. The people there were extremely nice. The person who accommodated us was great. He helped us a lot. He was very nice and he showed us everything. They told us about all the activities they have. They have cooking classes, they take people out on shopping trips and to different restaurant every week, and they have entertainment too. The dining area was a nice large room that looked like a restaurant. It didn't look like some place to just put a bunch of people. It really looked nice and it was kept up very nicely. The rooms were a little on the small side, but I understand why they are.

We chose Rittenhouse for my brother. We liked that it was all inclusive and seemed like a very good place. They have two dining rooms, with one more formal with table cloths. If you are in the memory care unit where my brother lives, the dining room is more streamlined and doesn't have tablecloths, but it’s nice and comfortable. They have a variety of rooms that seem to be nicely kept. They have different activities like exercises in the morning, bingo, and checkers. They serve popcorn in the afternoon and snacks, as well. The staff is very helpful and easy to work with.

My mother is in Rittenhouse, but it is expensive. I would like to find another place for her, but we’re having trouble finding one within our budget. I was impressed by the friendliness of the staff and its extreme cleanliness. They’re very caring. The apartments are very nice; the walls are painted, and you can put up anything you want. There are double and single apartments. The singles are a little on the small side, but you don’t need much other than a bed and your personal possessions, so I was really impressed. The dining setup is lovely. I have not eaten the food, but I’ve talked to people, and they said the food is very good. I know they have lots of activities. I saw the activity room and watched people do art projects, so they keep them pretty busy. I’m sure they’re fine for people on Medicaid, but I wish the business as a whole was more affordable.

I thought Ritten House is very nice. I love the outdoor areas where my mom could go if she chooses. I thought the rooms are nice. There are a variety of sizes from a studio to a two person rooms. The people that I spoke to there were very pleasant and very helpful. I didn't find anything negative. They have a really nice theater. There wasn't much going on at the time because I ended up there just about a little after supper. I didn't have anything to compare it with, but I really thought it was nice.

I'm very happy with Ritten House for my mom. We moved her in last August 30th. For the brief time that she was there, I felt that she is getting excellent care. I am very pleased with the amount of employees who are there and are checking on her constantly. Her room is clean. She is getting her medications on time and their food is good. They have entertainment and activities to keep their patients busy. Mom is in a shared room. It’s a two-person room and it has enough room for a twin bed with a nice chair and a couple of tables. It was a very nice and easy experience to get her moved in and to be able to get her settled.

We did a walk through in Rittenhouse Senior Living. They seemed to be clean. I thought the sice of their rooms was nice. The only thing that was a turn-off for my mother, who does have some memory problems, was that the door between the regular clients and the ones with memory problems were two metal doors with little windows in them. I thought if my mother would ever have to be placed there that she would balk at that. She would be reluctant to go into that facility with that kind of environment. It was definitely a lockdown facility.