The Retreat at Summerville - CLOSED

Kathryn

I liked that The Retreat at Summerville was a smaller complex. We didn't smell any antiseptic or cleaning products. It was very clean and very neat. They had a very large gathering room and a nice dining room. We inspected the bedrooms and there's adequate bedding and space for the things we would have to bring in just to make it more personalized. It had its own bathroom, a little refrigerator, and a little microwave if someone wanted to cook. There were activity rooms and the activities were very nice, too. They went on outings and things like that. I have been in constant contact with the admission staff and it's been great. If they have a question, they call me. They've been good with letting me know what will be done when we are going to go over the admission policies and the assessment from my husband. So, the rapport is good between us and them. They're very professional and very friendly.

Provider Response

Mary

The Retreat at Summerville assisted living was very nice. It looked very clean and the people were very friendly. The residents looked fine and didn't look miserable. What I was looking for, at first, was respite care because we weren't sure about anything yet. They had games, big TVs, exercise rooms and they did exercises with a teacher. The staff was also friendly and nice.

Provider Response

Chris

The Retreat at Summerville was really good, that was our number two place. The food was a little bit better there, and their staff was very nice. They had a big community area where everyone ate together. I think it's a good community feel. They're getting ready to do a refresh, so that's a good thing, once they do that, it would probably be better. They had a nice library, a movie theater, they had a lot of activities there, Taichi, and different things, and they did have outings every Wednesday. They've got on-site staff, the manager lives there. So that was nice, the on-site presence. I think overall, it's really good.

Provider Response

Frances

I toured The Retreat at Summerville for my husband. The grounds and the layout were pretty good, but kind of sparse compared to the others. It's nice, but it's not rolling hills. Inside, they have refurbished pretty nicely, and the rooms were adequate. The person who assisted me was very helpful, but not truthful in the end in the way that they were supposed to. They said they were going to come in and interview him at the House. The woman got sick, and they know she wasn't coming to the house, and they wanted to bring my husband in. He had a really bad episode just before he got there, so his attitude was bad, and his answers were sketchy. Then they said they were going to send it to the doctor for information. When I spoke with them again, they said that they were not going to be able to take him because the doctor only sent two pages of information. Instead of being truthful and saying that they don't think that they could take him for whatever, they just beat him around the bush. The truth would have been that the two young women had no intention of letting him in because of his attitude. My complaint with them is that they're wasting my time and their time. They did not have any real activity. They have a locked door and a lot of rooms, but I didn't see any moving around. Their program isn't that good, I would say. They had sitting rooms and some of the residents are sitting in, but I didn't see anybody playing games or playing cards. The gentleman who assisted me was very good. To be truthful, they should have something to show that memory care is not just sitting in their room waiting for meals.

Provider Response

Roni

We went to The Retreat at Summerville, and the tour was excellent. They showed us around the whole facility. We went to the activities room. We went to the dining hall and the memory care area. They showed us an empty room. That way we could see where my parents are going to have their own set up and where they could put their own furniture. Then we saw another room that was already set up with the resident's furniture, so we would know how to basically set up theirs. We got to meet some of the staff and some of the residents. The people that lived there said that they were very friendly and nice, and that our parents would like it there (which we really liked). That way we knew it wasn't just us reading online. You know how people liked it. We actually got to talk to people who lived there, so we would know if our parents would like it. It was very nice to be able to talk to people who live there, to be able to let us know that they liked them. It was very, very reassuring to know that people who already live there enjoyed living there. They liked the staff there, so that was very reassuring and very nice to know. They had a large area where they gathered for watching TV, playing chess, and card games. They had an area where they could have services for Bible study. They had checkers.

Provider Response

Donna

I toured The Retreat at Summerville. The marketing guy was wonderful, really nice, very open, and gave clear and detailed answers, so that part was great. The unit itself has a great floor plan. I really liked the unit. It's very spacious. What I didn't like was they provide two to three meals a day, but it's not a communal meal. It was kind of strange. They have like a little clubhouse for this section that's independent living. What they do, and they've been doing this before COVID, this wasn't a COVID thing, they drop off enough meals in styrofoam containers, and you walk over and pick up your container. It's kind of weird. The other thing is all the activities are done with assisted living. You have a combination of folks in terms of their mental acuity and physical abilities, and it isn't something I was looking for. It's too bad because the community itself is nice. If you don't care about those things, then the units are nice. They had assisted living and memory care, neither of which I'm in need of. They had a beauty salon and a library. The reception area was lovely and beautifully decorated. The facility looked fine. They're in the middle of remodeling certain areas. It's an older facility, but they're doing a lot of updates.

Provider Response

Dean

I don't like The Retreat at Summerville that much. It's pretty old. It doesn't look like it's as well maintained, and the assisted living facility is pretty dismal. It looks like a motel room. I toured the independent living, and then inquired about the assisted living. These are all cottage-like buildings in the independent living. I like the fact that you have your own little cottage, but they have no garage facilities. This is an older community, and so it's just been recently taken over by another company. It's also more in an urban setting. I had an occasion before they changed ownership to visit with a lady who was in assisted living there; it was dismal. She had a small motel room and a very small closet. It was like a studio apartment and very limited. I only met the person in charge. He was a very nice, very helpful, and very positive young man. I like him personally, but he's just started the job there about two or three months before. The ambiance is below average. It's almost like you're living in a city block in the heart of the commercial area of this town, and it's not the most attractive area of Summerville. I didn't see much for activities or exercise room or anything like that.

Provider Response

Jan

The Retreat at Summerville is very nice. Unfortunately when we were there, you still could not see everything because of the virus, but the building was very nice. The salesperson was wonderful. He was just a very nice person. The room is about the same size. However because of where they have the bathroom and the entrance to the bathroom, it cuts down a lot on wall space as opposed to the other facility. So even though it is the same square footage, because of the layout you lost a certain amount of the room. Also the community is large and my mother does better in a smaller setting. Nevertheless, the building is very clean and well laid out.

Provider Response

Larry

My mother-in-law is going to be staying at The Retreat at Summerville. The community is nice for what she's chosen. If it was an assisted living, we probably wouldn't have put her in there. Their assisted living facility wasn't as nice as the other ones we looked at. She will have a 2-bedroom, 2-bath cottage. It's kinda like a fourplex and it's got 1150 square feet, so she's got room for her artwork and stuff. They have dining services and housekeeping. Right now, with this COVID thing, they're delivering the meals to the clubhouse and they have to walk to the clubhouse to get it. For her needs and the way she wants to live, it's pretty much exactly what she wants.

Provider Response

M.Miller

My parents lived at the retreat of Summerville for 4 months and it was awlful! My dad who cant shave hisself only got shaved twice in 4 months, during covid quarentine several times they didnt bring my parents food, one care giver cussed at my mom. everytime an issue was brought up the (woman in charge) would make excuses and nothing was ever resolved. My dad went down the hall because he wanted to call my sister, one of the workers jerked his wheelchair and told heim he wasnt allowed out of his room because he was still in quaritine from when he went to the doctor my dad told her he was told he was out of quaritine and that he wanted to call his daughter she took him back to his room and never did allow him the call. Seems there is no communication amoung staff, when (the woman in charge) was told this she stated they go by the CDC but reality she does as she pleases the day my parents left the facility they were allowed in the dining room and the lounge even though they were suppose to be still in quarintine.....(the woman in charge) allowed it ....the day before they couldnt leave room.Lastly whoever packed their stuff for them to move out did a crappy job things were just randomely thrown into bags some clothes were missing and sheets. Thank God we moved my parents out of there!!

concerned2020

Staff are rude. They don't take proper care of residents. They mismanage the meds. Poor communication, food is sometimes served cold, drinks served hot, no ice after 7pm, 3 times in 4 months served pork roast and pancakes for dinner. Lose clothes in laundry, days before you get your laundry back from being washed.

Provider Response

dankgage

My mother is a resident of the memory care facility. She has a private room which is spacious, though she spends little time in it. The staff is good about bringing her to the common area where they have kind folks watching after the residents. The staff to patient ratio is not as high as I would have liked, but is very sufficient. I have never witnessed the patients being unsupervised and do not suspect it happens. There is a noticeable smell in her room and common areas. I have witnessed staff cleaning, and suspect it is a bi-product of the facility age and nature of memory-care patient hygiene. Having stated the only negatives, I am confident that my mother receives appropriate care.

Pat

I'm extremely happy with Royal Oaks. It's been absolutely a relief, and it's great for my mother. She loves it there. The staff has been excellent. She has the smallest room. It's just one room and a bathroom; it's working out very nicely for her. They've been very helpful and made my mother feel like she could ask for help, so she does. The activities are fantastic. They're constantly doing things. The residents are more on her cognitive level. They go on bus tours, and they're working on getting a library. They have an activity room that's quite active. It's clean and modern. It's an older building, but it's been renovated, and it looks very nice.

Edith

I liked Royal Oaks, but it needs some maintenance. There's a fence that's about to fall down and it borders a restaurant, and it's not the kind of place I'd want to be close to. The rooms are very nice and they would suit us very nicely. The people were very friendly. I didn't care for the location where they served the food, which is one of the downsides of the place. The staff was really nice.

ReviewerAT0517

I did not like Royal Oaks. Once you get into the facility, there’s an odor. The person I talked to was reluctant to see and check on my client, but I think she was covering for her boss. I did not think the environment would be suitable for our clients. I did not see the rest of the facility because of the odor. The location was nice.

Dala Dolan

My mother is a current resident and has had a wonderful experience with the Royal Oaks. The staff are very respectful and warm as well as very professional. They is always something going on in the activity room or at the club house.

Deb-sue

Nicely remodeled, staff has been great, moving in my family member who has been reluctant about move. Her space is good, and they have been very good at keeping me informed. Looking forward to continuing this relationship

Joette

Royal Oaks was very nice. The director took us around and showed us everything. The dining area seemed fine, and the rooms seemed very nice.

bctoteach

I have placed my husband in respite at Royal Oaks many times over the past few years. He has dementia and all the staff love him, making him feel very welcome and comfortable there. I can't say enough about the wonderful staff at Royal Oaks. Your loved ones will be well cared for there.

Dee361634

I placed my mom in Royal Oaks. I am very impressed. The rooms are nice because they just remodeled the whole facility. They are always doing something, like making crafts, playing bingo, and going shopping.

THM

My mother is a resident at Royal Oaks. Our experience has been wonderful. . Mom had a stroke 4 years ago and suffers with aphasia. She did well at home while we were able to take care of her but since moving to Royal Oaks her health and speech have both improved. She is much more active and engaged. Royal Oaks is an assisted living facility, not a hosital or nursing home. We provide all of mom's supplies, it is not the responsibility of the facility as some reviews have seemed to suggest. The staff is always friendly and helpful. We live a good distance away and work in Charleston so sometimes it's difficult to get perscriptions or take mom for a haircut. The staff has gone out of their way to help in any situation. I think the key is to be involved. Have regular contact with your loved one. Ask them questions and address any issues immediately. Either I or one of my siblings visit at least twice a week and talk on the phone in addition to visits. Mom's room is always clean and usually someone will pop in while we are there to ask if she wants to participate in an activity or to pick up laundry,etc Moving mom into Royal Oaks in Summerville was a difficult decision to make but it was definitely the right one. No facility is perfect but mom and our family are very happy with Royal Oaks and the staff.

ksmig

I visited this facility on a tour and the renovations are beautiful. All the staff was friendly and went out of their way to say hello. The residents seemed to be well taken care and was taken part of activities.

Torrey

I have toured several communities in the Charleston area, this relatively small, but very friendly, clean and residents are busy and look well taken care of. Very impressed.

MMouse

I have visited several Resident's here and have been impressed. The staff are friendly and caring. Finishing up major renovations and the Community is beautiful!!

Concerned 1004

This place is unorganized from the administrator to the DON. I've visited a friend in the facility there was no soap in the bathroom, no gloves, no briefs for her. I asked one of the med tech why does she not have any supplies, and how can you'll work in a facility like that. She stated we'll have to borrow from the next resident who has. This is absurd and being that it's a health facility it should always be stock at all times. You find a few of the staff that are professional. .... not the ones in the office though their clueless. I wouldn't bring my dog to stay here!

Close Observer

Royal Oaks is under new management. The new facility manager has ushered in a more loving, more professional culture that is quickly filtering down to the staff. After several hospital stays, during which the facility manager numerous times visited and comforted both him and his wife, my father-in-law passed away and now the entire staff has been so involved in caring for and assisting his widow to live her life without him The entire staff has been wonderful! I highly recommend this facility to provide care for your family member.

Sstephens

Was not pleased to this facility. Took a tour and walked by rooms that smelled like urine. One resident she was soaked with urine on her pants walking around. Residents I noticed are not payed attentioned to at all. Looks like they have no activities and are bored. The rooms are just throwed together for show rooms. Me and my family wated at least 30 minutes to get a lady from the office to talk to her and take a tour she was outside as of a staff said on a break smoking she will be in give a few minutes. This facility is very unorganized and not in good position as a assisant living.

Jsmoak

That place is a disgrace. I took a tour you got residents sleeping in the wrong room and obviously staff didn't realize where the resident was. The lady that gave us a tour martina she has no sense of humor and few questions she was lost to answer. Was a little confusing cause she was administrative. Some of the staff I seen was sitting around or chatting in the hall while a buzzer was going off. Talked to one resident and he said people steal money from him and it was a bad place. So no my family member will not attend this place not ran like it should be very lack of communication and not good working together skills.

David101988750

Royal Oaks seems pretty good, and we like them. Michael seems very happy. He gets to take walks outside with some of the other patients that are there. The weather is nice here. They get three meals a day, and he has physical therapy. He is doing fine. The rooms were clean and seem pretty well-kept. They have a theatre room, bingo and if you would need to go to the doctor, they can arrange that for you. They seem to have enough to keep all of them busy. The food seems to be pretty good, of which my brother seems happy. It’s pretty adequate for his needs.

cares-for-loved-one

Loved one was a resident for a very short time. The administration staff was very unprofessional and was either not knowledgable of HIPPA REGULATIONS or blatantly refused to follow them. While we really liked many of the staff, especially the OT and the PT (think they are from another company) there were too many "it's not my job" from the staff. There was little to no communication between shift changes with staff and one shift always blamed the other. Cleaning staff would say, in our presence, "that's not my job, it's the nurses job." They seemed to encourage the residents to stay in their rooms except during scheduled activities time which were few and far between. Staff would often be sitting down and working on each other's hair while patients were in their rooms alone. On at least two occasions, I personally witnessed a staff member yelling at and being very rude to a resident - happened to be a resident that didn't receive many visitors. Fees for this facility are less than others and may seem appealing but you certainly get what you pay for. I had very high hopes and was extremely disappointed. The decision and process of placing a loved one in a home is hard enough but to witness the many issues that I mentioned proved to be too much.

Denise16

Royal Oaks Senior Care was a nice clean place. It was also a lot quieter than the other facility. The staff was okay. They were friendly; however they seemed to be busy at that time. The seniors there seemed to require a lot more attention. I didn't see too much activity when I went. I just saw them just sitting around. Regarding accommodations, we did see single rooms and double rooms. They were nice and clean. The dining area was okay and the food seemed okay.

Caring74626950

Royal Oaks was dark and depressing when you walk in. It was a really old building. The staff seemed nice and polite like most of them were; however, we didn't like their rooms. I wouldn't recommend this one.