Marigold Place Alexandria, LA

My two friends were perfectly happy at Marigold Place. The cost was less than other facilities, which for many people would be a plus, and the staff was very cordial. However, at that time, you would go in through the front door, and then you would go through an area where there were desks that received you. And so when we left, there were workers just standing there, and I felt it was a little intrusive being watched, so I didn't quite like that.

I haven't heard Dad complain about the food in Marigold Place so far, and I haven't had a meal with him yet. The rooms are immaculately clean, you could eat off the floors, and the whole facility is immaculately clean. The staff is there for the well-being of the patient, not the paycheck, and it's completely evident. They're 100% the most caring group of people I have yet to see; they're an absolute Godsend. What's the most gracious thing about that place is that they have hospice paperwork on him because of the fact that hospice is there if and when he needs it. We won't have to worry about it when he has another stroke. They can go right straight to hospice in their own room, they don't get moved to another area, they live out all of their days in that room, which is just glorious. His room is small, but the whole entire atmosphere there is that they're happy. They don't seem like they're in some horrible place and they're gonna die. Our daughter got her master's degree in geriatrics and visited her grandpa. She said we did absolutely the best thing choosing this place for her grandpa. The people here are like a family. It's perfect. I did a pop in visit on Saturday. They couldn't have expected me, and you could have eaten off the floor. There were no diapers or pieces of clothing anywhere, and that was a Saturday. You usually get the crappy staff on that day, but not there I found out. The courtyards that they have are all enclosed and nobody can go wandering, and they have five beautiful courtyards that have water fountains, and they were intimate and gorgeous. They said that they have activities, they do bingo, and they have all sorts of activities. They have not had one single case of COVID.

Marigold Place only has I think about 65 residents. The nice thing about the particular apartment that my mother- and father-in-law will be moving in is they have an exercise room and washer and dryer; they're ordering a new washer and dryer, so they'll have 3 washers and 3 dryers. They do your laundry for you once a week, but they will allow you to go in there and do your laundry anytime you want -- like if you have an extra load or you just prefer to do your own laundry, you can. The detergent's already set up, and you just dispense it. The dining hall is nice. They have their own tables and a little appetizer for them before they bring out their main dish, and if they don't like what's on the menu, they have an always-available menu on the table right across from when they first come in the dining hall. There are 3 or 4 different kinds of soup and a turkey and ham sandwich. There's yogurt and fruit, and if that's all you want, you can just come anytime and get that, so that was nice. They had a nice sitting area. I was very impressed, and I was very impressed and pleased with the staff. They even offered -- before we made a final decision to move this week -- while we were out of town and if something happens, call us and we'll send a nurse to your house, which was very nice to know. They have garden pot areas like if you want to do a little gardening in the courtyard area, that's available for you, and it's a secure courtyard area for Alzheimer's. It's a safer environment. Another plus is that if you get to where you can't come to the dining hall, they will let you stay, and you can spend all your days in Marigold Place. My father-in-law will most likely -- judging from his health -- die before my mother-in-law, but she will still be able to live out all her days there, and she can even have a private sitter come in her room. If she wants to have hospice, she can have that until her dying breath. One of the things they also offer is that if you have family that are in from out of town, they set upon availability places that your family can stay in, which is nice.

My mother has been a resident for more than 3 years and has thrived as a direct result of the staff and residents. She is an "Army" wife and is very social and her needs are well met. There are lots of interesting activities, good food and the apartments are wonderful. She has been extremely happy, I have spent a good deal of time with her since she moved in and have gotten to see the operation first hand and have always been happy with what I see. They are extremely responsive to requests and are very proactive in their care of my mom. Thanks Marigold Staff and friends!!