Linden House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Branchlands

WAPIII

We went through the transition from living at home to Memory Care about twelve months ago. Throughout the difficult decision/transition period and then during the residential time, we have experienced universal caring and concern on the part of the staff. They have been there for every need and request, and they have all gone out of their way to make my resident feel comfortable, safe, and as happy as possible. The facilities are clean and comfortable and one couldn't ask for more from the kitchen. At the end of the day, however, it is the staff that makes Linden House the outstanding facility it is. They have welcomed me as the caregiver and responded to my every concern with respect and responsiveness. But most importantly, they have taken my resident into their hearts and made her part of their family. It is difficult at best to more your loved one to residential memory care, but I, for one, take solace in the fact that she is receiving better care than I could ever offer. And I have been there and done that for seven years before we made the decision to go to Linden House.

Deeply Disappointed

I have spent good parts of 22 days leading to June 2023 visiting my parents in Linden House Assisted Living, both past 90 years old, who have been living there since late 2021. A sibling who resides in Charlottesville placed them there while I was abroad. From the very start of my first visit, sub-standard conditions and uncaring staff were glaringly apparent, which causes me to recommend Linden House as a last-resort facility and only if your search is confined to Charlottesville. Both my sibling and I have complained repeatedly verbally and in writing to Management. They have stopped even responding to complaints. I was forced to make a 30-page report to State Licensing supported by 30 detailed email complaints and other documents. Repeated incidents demonstrating specific flaws and traits run the gamut from staff's paying more attention to walking the House dogs than checking on residents every 2 hours as they are contracted to do, or never checking at all; failure to empty trash cans full of soiled diapers for days on end, creating a stench that struck anyone entering their apartment door; no medications delivered to any residents due to "a problem with the pharmacy;" failure to vacuum, dust and clean the toilet area, leaving feces smeared for weeks on the outside of the toilet and on the toilet seat; failure to bathe my disabled mother for 10 days despite many requests; hostile staff who react defensively if shortcomings are drawn to their attention (though some staff perform their jobs competently, despite supervisors who are, charitably speaking, inattentive); a blood-oxygen measuring machine in use that a medical aid volunteered and demonstrated was malfunctioning and giving false readings; a necklace electronic alert pendant that went missing and was not replaced for five days following multiple complaints, preventing the resident from sounding the alarm should a medical emergency arise; staff arguing with each other about who is responsible for cleaning soiled bedding, while none of them actually do it; a supervisor seeking from my mother, despite her advanced Alzheimer's, false confirmation that she got a shower, after my report that she had not; two Executive Managers’ concealing medical records from a competent resident and family member who have a legal right to see them; Management's suddenly going "on vacation" rather than dealing with unacceptable misconduct and neglectful and unlawful conditions drawn to their attention; etc. Residents will suffer without the presence of a strong, outside advocate who monitors conditions daily and is willing to tangle with resentful staff and lackadaisical Management. There is little human warmth to the place, only the marketing manager in a glass-walled conference room running a business.

Mary Carolyn

This place has brought life back to my mom and for that I am so appreciative. She now lives life with a purpose and consistently tells me how happy she is living at Linden House. The staff has helped her improve her personal challenges through physical therapy and memory tools. They also do a great job of including her in daily events which are fun and appropriate. Her apartment as well as the common areas are just lovely and the staff is friendly, quick to respond to concerns and truly caring. Highly recommend!

MJLM

We moved my father into this facility in June 2021. We moved him out in Jan. 2022 because this place was so mismanaged. In the time he was there they have had 3 executive directors. Phone calls are not returned, emails are not answered, and appointments are not kept. The meals went from decent meals on china with silver, to cafeteria quality on paper plates and plastic utensils. The kitchen staff walked out at one point. Any time we asked about the lack of assistance my dad was getting we were told " We are short staffed" This is a beautiful facility. Lovely furnishings, pretty art work, nice views. But PLEASE look beyond all that and do your homework. Ask about the history of the management. Ask about the staffing ratio. Ask about the level of care residents get - bathing, getting in and out of bed, dressing - things my father paid for but didn't always get. Ashley at the front desk was always pleasant and helpful. Some of the nursing assistance were kind to my father. But there were way more negatives than positives at this place. I would not recommend Linden House.

J.S.

My mother-in-law moved into Linden House. The staff, some are fine, and some are not. She has a one-bedroom apartment, a small kitchen area, I think they have studios, but I think she has the nicest place. We were given information on activities, but because of the pandemic we were not allowed to go in, and when we went to see her she had to come out, but the grounds are beautiful, they have a campus, and the structure that she's in is one of the newer ones. It's four stories, and there are little houses for people who are independent, there's a lot of them, and they have trees and grass around them, but there's also a beautiful park. Over there is a pond, and it's very, very pretty.

Michael

My mother resided in one part of Linden House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Branchlands before. We thought her care would be incredible there, which it was. She stayed there for about a month. It is excellent. It is terrific. It is very nice, so are the people that are there .The staff is outstanding. They deliver everything they promised, and we think the world of them for taking care of my mother. We like the newness, for one thing. Also the staff is always accessible and available whenever you needed help. They get things to you right away. The facility itself has a wonderful restaurant or dining room in it, and the food is very good. We could not find any faults with it at all. It is a complete restaurant. They serve three meals a day, seven days a week. My mother had a specialized menu because of her condition. They have different levels of dining depending on your condition. They got plenty of activities. They have a calendar, and there's something going on every day like music and games. They have all kinds of things. The price is more than it ought to be, but it may be the best deal in town. It is between $5,000-7,000 a month, compared to her previous facility which was $9,000. It is probably the best choice to put a person in assisted living in this city.