Gull Creek Senior Living Community

Mom went into Gull Creek in October, 2019 and left in March 2020. There were so many issues while she was there but I will attempt to keep this review abbreviated. My main concern was the nursing staff and the less than acceptable quality of care. It started with them administering a medication to her daily for 2 months that her doctor had said should only be used as needed. Upon admission we were told she could use the pharmacy of choice for her medications. Later they changed their policy and required use of Apple Pharmscy or the prepackaged pharmacy( cant recall the name). This meant a 3 month script of one of her medications at $5 dollars with Express Scripts went to $80+ . This was just 1 med. She was on multiple meds. She experienced multiple undiagnosed urinary track infections even though we were billed for AZO test strips. I reported hallucinations to the head nurse, Beth, who brushed it off as probably due to medicine. Mom began experiencing multiple falls. Instead of recommending various med evals to figure out what was going on, they took her walker away and confined her to a wheelchair with NO medical evaluation recommended. She suddenly lost her ability to walk in Feb. Beth said that originally they thought she was "faking it". When I returned to town in March I took her to multiple doctors to try to determine what was going on with her. Beth stated in a meeting with myself and her boss (Vicky) that she had arranged the appointments. Let me emphasize that never happened. I scheduled the cardiologist, the neurologist, the orthopedic and the general practioner. The only council Beth gave was to say that if she continues to fall she can't stay at Gull Creek. Too much liability and they are not staffed to have a 2 person assist. Finally on the day that Mom returned from one of the doctor appointments she fell to the ground trying to get her out of the transport car. WHILE MOM WAS STILL LYING ON THE GROUND, Beth came out and said, "she can't stay". Mom was still on the ground crying that her legs hurt and Beth is saying she can't stay right in front of Mom. Shes going to need to go to rehab. She finally did help to get Mom in the wheelchair. Mom went to rehab where she was sent to the ER the day after admission with another undiagnosed UTI. I could go on with more examples. If you love someone please do not send them to Gull Creek. The nursing care is sub par, the food is a disgrace, and they are unethical in their business practices. I was never informed of a $4000 facility fee until the day we were moving mom in. When she started to fall I was told there would be no increase to her monthly rate because her level of care was already covered in the monthly rate. I was required to sign a new lease at the time so that her increased level of care was reflected in the lease. Again, NO increase in rent. The following month I was sent a letter stating that the rent was increasing $900 a month. Reason, they claim we were never charged for care to begin with. Really? Once Mom left I was charged additional rent, even though she was in rehab and would not be returning. I spoke with the business manager who could not give me a reason for the charge. The only response she had was, "well you signed a lease". After sending documentation of my discussion with Vicky the Admin about moms inability to return due to going into a nursing home i received a $500+ refund. I had to argue to get it. The one positive note about Moms experience there was the folks who conducted the activities. Ann and Shelly are two wonderful and caring ladies who loved on Mom. I will forever appreciate them.

My parents reside in Gull Creek. The kitchen and nursing are understaffed. The meals are inedible at times. Most other times the portions are so small that the residents are still left hungry. Meals are not well balanced with little or no vegetables given. You fill out a meal plan for the week and still don’t get what you asked for. Hot dogs and hamburgers are sometimes the only thing offered for both lunch and dinner. Meals are so bad, l as the son, have to keep their appt stocked with food otherwise my parents would starve I’m sure. We’ve complained but Gull Creek doesn’t care. It’s all about money to them. Nursing is almost as bad. They often bring up the medications at wrong times or forget to bring them up at all. $6000 a month for such terrible care

Current management company headquartered in IL implemented policy changes resulting in total management (6 positions) turnover as well as other staff. Management company handles mainly facilities in the IL area. Gull Creek's distance from headquarters appear to be an issue. New upper management lacking warmth and much less engaging compared to the two prior. Food service company was also changed resulting in a serious decline in meals. Cheaper quality products including proteins, sides, snacks and desserts. Rooms are spacious, many updated, others in the process.

Everyone from the staff to dining room is so friendly and helpful. It truly is a loving community where everybody knows your name.

We visited 5 assisted living facilities in lower Delaware and Maryland. Gull Creek was the first one we visited and our choice for my parents who are 82 and 84. My parents live in a large, bright two bedroom, two bathroom apartment at Gull Creek. They have a balcony that looks out onto a grassy area. The staff at Gull Creek is amazing. They are kind, patient, responsive and appear happy in their chosen careers. The facility is fairly small, is well maintained and cheerful. The food is above average and the dining hall staff are lovely. My parents still find things to complain about, as do other residents, however the staff listens and responds.