The Carolinian

Edgar

We have chosen The Carolinian for my mom. As opposed to a lot of the other places we visited, they don't have a tiered system of care when it comes to assisted living. We found it beneficial that they had all the offerings that my mom would need in terms of handling her medication and making sure she was comfortable and happy all within one set price, as opposed to a tiered system where we would be unsure as to how much the price would go up from month to month essentially. The staff is very helpful and communicative. They have been with us along the way in the planning process. They've been very clear about what kind of documents needed to be compiled, and they've helped to make suggestions about how to do things like an assessment that most places require, but they're willing to travel a couple of hours away to where my mom is currently living to do that assessment, so they're making it very easy. My mom hasn't moved there yet and that's happening in the next week or so. They have all the standard kinds of activities that you'd expect in a place like that. Everybody gets together, they do card games, other games, and movies, that type of stuff. Then they do offer transportation, so if my mom needs to go somewhere, they can provide that.

Michael

The Carolinian was somewhat my favorite, but corporate would not allow a pureed food diet. I like their activities and the food they had and they were a little bit cheaper than the rest. They had a good community, I think, 30 or 40 residents. Some places only had 20, so there's a good opportunity to make more friends. In a small environment, you don't have so many choices. If you don't fit in, you're kind of by yourself. I like having a few more people there. The place was very energetic. The staff was participating in a luau day the day I was there. It seemed like they'd like to have a lot of fun and interact with the residents. Their menu was extremely good. It just seemed like a good place where you could fit in and call home. The rooms were nice. Each one had a little balcony overlooking the trees and had a nice-looking view. I enjoyed the rooms. My mother likes to watch birds and I just felt like it would be a good opportunity to hang a birdfeeder outside of her window and it would be a constant flow of birds come in there. There's a huge live oak with tons of lambs. It's a 50-year-old structure, so it doesn't look as good as the others, but it's got a better view out the windows.

Selma

The Carolinian Retirement Community was clean. It's a little more dated, but the residents had a choice of what kind of flooring they wanted to have in their living areas, between a carpet or a hardwood. When someone moves out, everything's repainted, and they have the option of bringing their own furniture or they could provide it for them. They offer transportation to the mall, to doctors' appointments, and they also have day trips. It is located in the city limits of Florence that has a population of 35,000 to 50,000 people, so it's a fairly small town.

Laura

I am very happy with The Carolinian. I think it's a really good place for my mom. They came down to meet our price, the facility is really nice, and the food is great. We get in touch with Bradley and all the managers all the time, so communication is good. I think she has a nice apartment, too. They had activities, but they're not doing any right this second because of COVID. They celebrate all the holidays, they do special things for the residents, and the staff is really friendly and helping.

Amy

My mother-in-law is at The Carolinian in Florence. She seems to be fine, and they are just absolutely excellent with her. She is very content. She has a residential room; it's her own little apartment there. I have housekeeping for her, and there are a lot of functions. With COVID, a lot has been temporarily closed or shut down inside, but she's been fine with that because she has a TV, and she is happy. They don't come in to help with bath or dressing; she is doing that for herself at this time. They have studio flats, and they have one-to-two rooms. Their two rooms can vary in sizes as well, between the kitchen and what they have as far as living spaces and what they want. They have a variety of sizes there. We've actually been all over the place, and I know other people there who are in the skilled care, so I have a little bit of insight that they are actually very very good and very attentive there. They have bingo and little special activities. The ladies have a little sewing club; they do little patchworks and what have you. They have arts and crafts, painting class, people who come in and do music with them throughout the week, and church services on the weekend. They had a Super Bowl party, and she sent me pictures. She had a football helmet on, she had a whistle, and they were having a great time. She has this little backyard of her own, and she already has plants set for the spring. She calls it a new chapter in her life, and she is thankfully and restfully able to begin it. We're trying not to interfere, but I do have a little eye on her, and she's been very well. She has complimented their food service. The nurses are very attentive and are companions to her; they come and visit. They have a fantastic sitting area. She's okay with where she is right now, and we're content with it as well. Every phone call I have made and every question we've had has been answered. Anything she's wanted or needed they have immediately met. There is a fantastic menu that she gets to choose from that she turns in every week for the next week, and so far, she actually has leftovers almost every day, and I am very happy with that. The place looks nice. From what I know they have, from the residents I know there, and like I said with COVID, they are busy. They go on field trips and they have a bus that takes them anywhere, any time, from doctors to Walmart to the pharmacy. She's already had her vaccine; they've already had that thing there. It balances to what was affordable. She is not going to be strapped, she's not going to be without. They were very great with her on pricing, and what the discount is, and it allowed for her to come in the next year. They have a hairdresser, and one lady who comes in to do nails.

Gardener One

My aunt is a resident and is well taken care of. The facilities are clean, her room is comfortable with a private balcony and the staff is a caring group. She enjoys her meals and is always in a pleasant mood when we visit. The facility appears to be very secure. We arrived for a visit on Saturday, August 25, during a fire drill. All residents were safely taken out and then returned to their rooms without trauma to anyone. I would definitely recommend this facility.