Bickford of Suffolk

Barbara

Bickford of Suffolk is a family-owned establishment. It's very pretty and very nice. I don't think the rooms were quite as big, but as far as the amenities and everything that they had there, everything was beautiful. It's very, very comforting. You walk in and it's got a brick fireplace. It's just very welcoming. They have a beautiful courtyard and a big gazebo. I like their dining room because they section it off a little bit, so it gives you a little bit more privacy while you're eating. You're still eating with the other residents, but it just seems like it's cozy. The person who gave me the tour was perfect. She went above and beyond. I did not taste the food, but it looked and smelt delicious. They were eating lunch when we were there.

Lisa

The Bickford of Suffolk was wonderful, except for the fact that they charge way too much. They're $2,000 more than where my dad is now and that was with a studio apartment. They are small, but they were really good about calling me when things happened. The biggest thing is they were just so expensive. Again, Dad had a studio there. It was "Here is his room, period." He had a walk-in shower and a little kitchenette area, and it was all in the same room. There was no divider. There was no separation. You open the door and that was his kitchenette to the right and then you walk into the room and that's all there was. Then you had the bathroom on the left. They had a family dining room area. You could use it to go there. It could seat 8 people in there. So when we bring food there, that's where we go, but they also have a living area, a little like a snack area, and then their dining area. I know they have a courtyard where people can sit outside if they want to, but it's a small facility. I would get pictures of my dad participating in the activities when he could. I remember I got pictures for St Patrick's Day. He had his St Patrick's hat on and he had a Mardi Gras one. So, they were very engaging with my dad and they would send me pictures all the time. I think that their staff was stretched thin. There were good people there, but I don't think they could respond in enough time. I don't think it's a staff issue. I think it's just the number of people that were there. They just didn't have enough people to respond when you call at night. You got a phone call and nobody left a message. I tried to return a phone call and the phone would just ring. That's not good, but they'd be like, "Oh, we were busy in the other room.", but somebody should be able to take that phone call. If you just called me because something happened with my dad, you should be expecting a phone call back as soon as I get to my phone. That's the part that irritated me a lot.

Martha

I have visited friends in Bickford of Suffolk. It was very good. The rooms are clean, but some people bring their own furniture. They do have some furnishings, but I will have to bring furniture. All the staff I've ever met over there were always very nice. The facility is very nice. The cleanliness and everything I would rate a four, there's nothing wrong with it. It's much improved over many of the other places I have been in over the years.

Tiara

The director of Bickford of Suffolk took us on a tour. The rooms were a nice size. We walked around the whole community. Some of the residents were out in the common area. They also have an Alzheimer's and dementia area that has a security system that rings whenever a person enters or exits out the area. They're in the protected side of the community. I saw the dining area. It was open. They had small tables and a bar set up. They had a calendar of events, too. They showed us a game room/movie room. They also have a van. The director was professional, very polite, and nice. The place was nice, clean, and modern. It didn't have any strange odors.

Janet

Bickford of Suffolk was outstanding, but it was pricey. Everyone seemed happy and willing to help. They did things on a schedule, and it was a locked down facility. They did an outstanding job with the recreational therapy, and there were a lot of interesting activities. The residents weren't all bunched up sitting and heavily medicated. The staff members engage their residents and they always know where they are. There was a courtyard with a beautiful garden and each room had a shower. They had a beautiful spa, music, and wellness therapy. They take them out to movies and shopping and they have popcorn all the time. They had a restaurant with fresh fruits, and their menu was outstanding. The care and the way it was laid out was amazing, and the residents seemed very content and engaging.

LMcKinley

It is a beautiful place and most of the aides are caring however family will need to work closely with staff. We had trouble with our sister getting all of her medication. She was blind and required finger food which though we were assured could be provided it rarely was. As a memory center our family had hoped for more skilled staff that understood the more aggressive forms of dementia better. If your family member has no special needs or care this would be a lovely place.