Aqua Ridge of Montclair

I would say the staff is very helpful. It's very secure you have to sign in and out after 5 o'clock. The doors are locked to the front so that you have to buzz to be let in. It's a nicely located area. The staff is very helpful and seem to be aware of each person's needs. My mother is a little more independent so she's able to do things on her own what she likes but the level of care varies all the way to memory care, overall very satisfied. My mother is definitely thriving and doing much better in this new environment. She also loves the fact that Bingo nights are one of the many activities.

The staff was always changing so I couldn't really tell you who was there now. When my mom was there, she loved it and enjoyed all aspects of it and the price was very reasonable. Activities were great some of the time and not so good other times they seem to have trouble keeping activity directors but when it was good.

The facility has a hard time retaining staff. In fact, they have been recently hiring from an agency. They have not been cleaning the residents rooms frequently, like they used to (again due to staff shortage). They went up on the price of the level of care by [fee removed] and we received a months notice of the increase. I feel as though the price should have been "grandfathered" in, even if the rates did increase. We do like the staff. They have all kinds of activities for the residents all of the time. The residents there love to play bingo daily; they bring in a pastor for church on Sundays and they celebrate most, if not all, holidays.

We chose Aqua Ridge of Montclair because of the value for the money, the cleanliness of the facility and the respect that the staff showed us. My loved one really likes it there. They have a lot of great activities that he seems to really enjoy.

It was not a good moment in my life, nor my husband's. 10 months of "what next"? Cleanliness was a non-existent practice, possibly merely a "theory" from science class. Hospital bags with soiled diapers line the halls daily/nightly. I killed three cockroaches during my husband's stay there. Diaper leaks on furniture was not cleaned, merely the staff takes the chairs/loveseats out onto the patio to dry-out. The carpet in my husband's room had so many stains, I did a lot of cleaning, disinfecting just as an attempt to make it better for him. "Atrocious" is my view of the cleanliness. For the 10 months we were there they did not have enough staff to cover everything that required attention for patient/resident care. I saw one female resident, elderly, weak, non-ambulatory, spend approximately 7 hours on the toilet, w/severe diarrhea. 7hours. Then the attendant lied about what really happened. Care? Not so much. There are a few that are intuitive and caring about their residences. One in particular was not good. When he was discovered in the bed of a resident, with the resident, who happens to have severe "Louie-Body"(sp?) he finally was terminated, way too late. The young attendant shouldn't have stayed past his probationary period, as it was evident that he just didn't care. Food always arrive to the residents at room temp. or cold. Many times a person with a salt restricted diet, would be served a food that was "breaded" w/a commercial coating, high in salt, and it was "just too bad" for the salt restricted diet. My husband never, in 10 months, said, " that was good" or tasty, or even that it was appetizing. Activities were disappointing, due to limited abilities of the residents, the activities were often geared to the weaker, less able participants. Not nearly enough thought to cover everyone's needs. Value? It was "affordable" but considering what I saw and husband endured, not a good value at all.

The first thing I loved is the facility is brand new so obviously very clean. They have great activities for those that can participate. The price was better than anywhere else and the staff could not be sweeter. They do have housekeeping they change your sheets and clean your room, but do not do laundry. But they do have a laundry room for residents to do laundry. It's a wonderful place!