HarborChase of Branford

My mom spent only 6 weeks in another memory care unit at a higher price facility that sent her to the ED twice for agitation and “medication management”. This resulted in a 2 week hospital stay where she fell, was restrained, over medicated, developed an UTI, and massively de-conditioned. Following this, she spent 7 weeks in a geriatric psychiatric unit. She was well cared for started to walk again, and despite all meds being slowly weened off, she fell 2xs one time hitting her head, but at least this facility allowed her some dignity and ability to walk. She continued to sharply decline. Our family could not return her to the former high cost memory unit as their poor oversight contributed to all of her issues. Harbor Chase provided total care, allowed my stepfather to visit 2-3 times a day, and appropriately recommended hospice services. While I wish I could go back and choose Harbor Chase from the onset of her wondering my father could not manage alone, we are happy with the care.

Our experience, food and activities excellent. Communication with our family fair at best. When he needed an aide and rung his buzzer, it would take between 30- 45 min at least. High turn over rate with employees. Some aides are nice some are not. The higher ups were not always truthful with my family. Mediocre excellent overall.

It was much better when my mother started there. There is new management and it is just not as good as it once was. [name removed] and [name removed] left and they were keys to success there. Their replacements are simply not very friendly or caring. And the nursing at the facility is the worse one could imagine. They are not helpful, caring or friendly. We have had numerous issues with the nursing staff, especially the head nurse. We had to finally take the nursing aspect of it into our own hands because they could not be trusted.

Harbor Chase is not a safe place at this time. It is so understaffed that my loved one didn't receive the hygiene care she was told to expect (and needed). She often didn't receive her medications at all, or had to ask that she be given them. Medication record keeping is haphazard. It appears that there are not enough staff members in the medical team or in the patient care team. They offer incentives to sign on, then place new conditions on them. The Executive Director tried to excuse staff's mistakes by offering alternative explanations that blamed my loved one. I hope APFM will assess whether it should refer Harbor Chase to other families. We are currently looking at other residences.

In general, very pleased. Staff is warm and very caring. Excellent food. My Mom loves the pretty dining room. Maintenance requests for things that need repair in the room are a bit of a challenge. Still working through the list. I rated overall a little lower due to maintenance delays. Otherwise, we are very happy with HarborChase of Branford!

The people we met with were welcoming and reassuring that they would take good care of our mother. Place is a bit dated and the head nurse is not very accommodating, but most everyone else is extremely nice. Food is excellent.

I had a relative there for four years until. Ovid hit. She got sick and they kept giving her cough medicine. One week later went to hospital and passed away. Could not get her belongings for four months snd then they cleaned our apartment without family going to pack it up. Would not recommend

I would encourage advocates for family members to be vocal and stay involved!This community is local. At the time, ownership was different. It has now been taken over and hopefully things will improve. My loved one is used to living here and has friends. Moving her would create more of a disruption. For someone who is more able-bodied and required less direct care, I think it would be fine.

Rating is largely based before the acquisition. Since the acquisition, food is better and staffing level and responsiveness is very uneven. Impossible to know how it will turn out. Given the level of chaos, I can not currently recommend the facility.

Cleanliness of the facility is great, the cleaning services to the rooms not so much. Staff are friendly in person but when I call since I live out of state many times do not get return call back this includes nursing department and business department. I would give customer service a "1". It took a while for my loved one to be assessed when she got to ALF. She struggled with getting the help she needed. There are still times she does not get PM care that is part of her plan. Breakfast is good but the other meals are premade and not great quality.

[Name removed] was incredibly helpful and informative, my father is very happy there. [She] did a great job helping us out during this time and made it a very smooth transition. She was able to accommodate my father with a nice room and was quick to call my sister and I back about any issues.

I love Gardenside! I have the ability to be me and enjoy each day. I look forward to the activities to keep busy.

I have been enjoying my stay at Gardenside. It is lovely! I am happy that I met new friends!

Greenside is a delightful residence. I enjoy the delicious meals prepared or my by Chef [name removed]. New friendships have been established and old ones renewed.

I believe this is an excellent assisted living facility for many reasons. First, its location off Rt. 1 is so easily reached. It is near stores and entertainment such as The Kate theater named after Katharine Hepburn. It is close to Yale museums and the seashore. Besides offering excellent activities and food, the van provides scenic & out-trip rides and transportation to doctor appointments.

Our loved one contract a bad virus while he was at the community, he ended up going to the hospital for about a week, The community then shut down and quarantined after he got sick. It was stressful and they were not very communicative at all, and it was just a bad experience.