The Colonnades Charlottesville, VA

We thought that when we retired that we probably would come to The Colonnades because they have cottages and they're very spacious. I'm in a cottage now. I probably won't ever move into the big building where the apartments are. I like it. I have a big family. I'm able to feed 13 people on a holiday and if you don't mind sleeping on a blowup bed, I can get eight people to spend the night. That's what I like. It's unfortunate because of COVID a lot of the activities were curtailed and also just went through a big renovation. And we now have a new auditorium that they're putting in the audiovisual system and they've just redone the swimming pool, which is now opening up. There are lots and lots of really wonderful activities. The kitchen, which also has been remodeled, is now getting back up to snuff if they can get all the food delivered, that seems to be a problem that everybody's having you think you're getting beef and you end up with lamb, or ham, or whatever, whatever the trucks are bringing in, you get. So I think that's everywhere. I've been very pleased, and I've been here for eight years. The staff is a five, all the things that they've had to go through to keep us safe from COVID, and they're like everybody else, struggling to keep the numbers up. But there's been very minimal turnover. We've been very pleased with them. The food is excellent, we have a wonderful chef. For those that don't drive, they have shopping trips, they have shuttles to and from church services, they have gone out to vineyards, out to dinner, and take you to shows. In-house, they usually have a weekly musical program with outside performers coming in, we have multiple exercise classes, we have our own choral group, very, very active, anything you want, and card players. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for.

My dad is staying at The Colonnades in Charlottesville. It is good for him. He was there for nursing care or whatever they call it, and now he's transferred upstairs for long-term care. I'd say they're topnotch, including the staff. It's a large facility. The other facilities are rather small and more like a house. This is obviously a huge facility, and it's the best I've seen. It's just way better, and it's so nice. I went to like 3 little Friday concerts where they brought in a singer. The staff is really loving and attentive. I was with my dad every day for about 3 weeks out there. No matter who came in and worked with him, they were all really good. The facilities are really clean. I was there while my dad was eating. His food has to be ground up really fine because he has a swallowing issue. It doesn't look like the food that they're serving because they have to grind it up. I sat with the residents there for a couple of meals. I didn't personally eat, but I watched other people eat. It smelled delicious, and everybody seemed to enjoy it. It's one of the more expensive places. It's kind of a private pay system. I think they only have 2 Medicare or Medicaid rooms. It's definitely one of the more expensive, but I think that it's well worth it.

We looked at The Colonnades and the staff we met were very friendly, very knowledgeable, and answered all our questions. The facility was excellent, very clean, and very well maintained. The marketing manager, I think her name was Gail or Grace, was excellent during the tour.

Look for recent reviews--The Colonnades has more problems every day. Routine loss of electricity, heat and hot water. A plumbing disaster closed their kitchen. Food comes from a temporary kitchen. No table service in the dining room--buffet line only. Worst of all--they are chronically understaffed. Despite job fairs they are unable to hire and keep staff, from service staff to nurses to administrators. Those who remain are unpleasant to deal with. Currently spending on a big dining room addition while rooms sit empty. There are newer, better options in Charlottesville. Look around!