The Bridge at Ooltewah

I went to The Bridge at Ooltewah. It was extremely nice. The staff was very, very knowledgeable. I didn't have to ask questions. She fed me all the questions before I even started to ask. She was very nice and friendly. The rooms were extremely clean, looked like new carpet, and the walls were perfect. The cabinets were clean. They looked like good cabinets. They had microwaves, more counter space. It was just very clean. The dining area was very, very clean. All the tables were set, all the chairs were distributed around the tables, there was room to walk. The dishes were already on the tables. It was beautiful. It was gorgeous. There were no stains on the walls, the door handles were clean, and the floors were clean, no markings on the baseboards. It was just beautiful, beautifully kept. They had a salon, a huge laundry room, the one-bedrooms had windows looking out into the hallway, and looking outside. They were bright and airy. I saw the staff, I walked around with the salesperson or the general manager, but I also saw other staff helping the older people. They were giving them ice cream, they were making sure they were OK. Everything about that community was just top notch.

My father-in-law is at The Bridge at Ooltewah. He's got his own apartment over there. It's very, very nice. It's upscale living. My father-in-law loves the food. They do a very good job with the food. The apartments are very, very nice. This is an upscale living center. It's decorated nicely. The nurses there are nice to him. He's about 93, so he gets around on his walker. They have some activities, but a lot of them are not as active. He's active. He delivers the mail and does stuff like that. The food is exceptional there. They have board games and card games. I don't believe they have a lot of involvement from what I hear. They have Bible school study, they have games, they have ice cream day, and they have social time there. It's like you're going into a resort. Everybody is just nice there and has been very helpful. My father-in-law got COVID, and they were very helpful. They made sure that he got the antibodies. I'm not exactly sure how much that one is, but the value is there. They have workout centers, they have TV rooms, and everything is decorated to the nines. Their security on their staff is high. When you come in, you log in, and you have to get your temperature taken. It's the whole nine yards. It's a three-level facility; it's a very nice facility. However, I think when you got people in their own apartments, they are just not as active. They seem to stay in their room a lot and they don't get out as much. I think being in an apartment by themselves, they don't feel the need for social interaction to get out as much.

My mother was a resident at The Bridge at Ooltewah. It is a lovely community, and overall the care was good. It was clean and bright, and it's still fairly new compared to some in town. There are lots of windows. There was a lot going on in the community when she first moved in; COVID kind of threw everybody. It changed a whole lot of what can be offered and done at these facilities, but her apartment was always clean and comfortable. They responded to most requests pretty promptly early on in the pandemic, but we were all learning, so I'm going to cut them a little bit of slack. I felt like there was a lot of denial about COVID at the very beginning in general with that facility and the management company. It got better as time went on. The staff were very, very personable. My mom made good friends with some of the staff. She enjoyed talking to them; some of the younger ones would come hang out with her a little bit when they could. There was one nurse in particular, Lisa, who was on top of the infection in my mom's leg, and that probably saved her life. Overall, I'd give them good marks. There were some frustrating times for us as a family, especially during COVID. It’s been a learning experience for everybody, but I would have liked them to have been a little bit more proactive at the beginning. But most people got through it OK. They kept the community relatively safe. It was fun, they tried to do a little Christmas program, and they gave prizes. They tried to keep the residents engaged, whether it was decorating their door or dressing up for your favorite football team or something. They did several things throughout the year that kind of kept the residents interested, especially during COVID, giving them something to look forward to. It was a lovely facility, and sometimes that just means a lot. You walk in and things are clean, well maintained, and updated. It kind of makes you feel better, even if it's just an appearance that makes you feel like the care is going to be good there. They said they lose their chefs; they tend to get the least expensive amount of meat, and they cut costs on food. So, by the end the food wasn't stellar. But part of me feels like I'm judging during COVID, which changed the way a lot of places did things. She lived in her apartment for a year without really getting out and seeing anybody, but then there was nothing there that they offered her as far as her interests go. She's trying to find a community where there are people who want to have stimulating conversations or have a book club where you read books and discuss them. Their book club at the Bridge ended up being someone reading to them and not a whole lot of discussion about the books; it lost my mother's interest. In general, they are way too expensive.

My 95 year old father has been living at The Bridge at Ooltewah for over a year. We never could have imagined how wonderful this facility is. The entire staff is so kind, courteous and caring. This hospitality starts with the Director, Jill D., who is unbelievable. Everyone is so sweet and wonderful to my father and they take care of all his needs. They provide his meals in the dining room or if needed, meals are delivered to his room. At meal time, a care aide will come to his room to be sure he's going to eat. His room is regularly cleaned, linens changed and laundry done. They also help him with showering. The care aides are spectacular. His medications are brought to his room. There is 24 hour nursing coverage. A doctor and physician's assistant for the facility is also available to the residents if desired. They've actually taken X-rays of my father in his room checking for possible pneumonia. They did find he had a slight case. He was treated right there at The Bridge. My father also gets his hair cut, pedicures and manicures right there. The facility is beautiful. It feels like you're at a high end resort. The interaction between the residents make everyone feel like one big family. The entire staff seems to know everyone's names. There is a constant stream of daily activities which are available to those who'd like to participate. The Activities Director makes everything so fun. When you live at The Bridge, you pay monthly and can leave at any time. This means they have to earn your business every single day. They have always passed that daily test with flying colors with us. The peace of mind we've gotten knowing that my dad is safe and well taken care of is such a blessing. As you can see, I can't say enough positive things about The Bridge at Ooltewah. I wish I could name each staff member in this review, as they've all be wonderful. The experience that my father and our family has had for the last year has been spectacular. I don't think you can find a better place for a loved one to live.

Never do I give reviews, however, it must be said that The Bridge and it's staff are one of kind top notch caring people. My family member was not an easy person to deal with until you got to know him, but that took time and energy. The Bridge staff outperformed any other facility in the area in caring for our loved one. The director, Jill Day, went above and beyond to make the entire family feel at home. And it was "home" for all of us any time we visited. Never did any caregiver, nurse, staff, chef, or maintenance member make our loved one feel like they were a burden. I have had several family members need to move to a facility, I only wish The Bridge could have been there for them. The patience they showed, the loving hand they gave and the understanding of difficult decisions were always met with a warm smile, a tender word of encouragement and a humble heart. Our loved one has passed, but The Bridge continued to reach out and be a part of our family. Please, do not hesitate to call this place your home or your loved one's home. You won't find a better, caring, attentive staff than here.

Following the death of my wife, I was left living alone with no family close by. I had to cook and work a hard schedule until I required an emergency surgery. At that time, my son and I decided I would be better off in Assisted Living. After extensive and thorough research, we both decided on The Bridge at Ooltewah. I have been a resident now for one year and I'm very pleased with the staff. I feel safe and secure here and don't have to worry about anything. There are several amenities available which also help to make it an enjoyable place to reside. I couldn't be more pleased with my experience here!

Have relatives in this facility. We and they are very happy with the staff, the nutritious gourmet food, and the facilities. It's been a great choice for our family.

I am in this facility very often and I have never been somewhere where the staff genuinely cares about the residents the way the staff at The Bridge do. The food is delicious and you can always ask for seconds. There are always activities going on and if there is an activity you would like all you have to do is talk to is the wonderful activity director. As soon as I walk in the sweet redhead receptionist always greets me with a hello. I can ask her to do something and I dont have to think about it again because she will have it taken care of so quickly. She is the first impression of the staff you get and she makes a perfect one. The facility is gorgeous, always smells so nice and homey, almost like your mother has been baking all day or something. I have been in many facilities and none compare to this place. The person I come to see wears a safety button necklace and I have timed how long it took the staff to come to their aide when they pressed it and they were there so quickly, I was very impressed. Safety is so important to them and you can tell. The kitchen staff is so loving, it's not like they just give you your food and leave, they care about how these people are doing, and how they can be better for them. Esp. Amanda in the dining room, she knows the person I come to sees orders by heart. The chef always comes out to see the residents and Sharon always has nice thing to say. I am very happy to have someone I love be here where I know they are loved, cared about, and most importantly safe.