The Bristal at Waldwick

Please don’t send anyone to the Bristal memory care in Waldwick. It’s horrible. Do not send your loved one here. The assisted living side is a 4/5, the memory care is a 1 at best. Horrible.

It is no longer owned by Atria, it is owned by Bristol and that changed happened [date removed]. The facility has been closed for months and it has been strict with the shut down. I have only been into my mothers room 4 times. There are a variety of care services such as doctors on site, medication, etc and I think they do a good with that. There are very few activities provided right now due to covid, but the few times they have been able to open up they have a variety of activities. The housekeeping services here are excellent and in general the facility looks beautiful. It is a smaller facility so it feels lively but does not feel crowded. They have been great with communication and considering covid, they have tried their hardest. I would recommend to others looking.

My mother moved in here in October and we are on our 3rd administrator. There has been endless turnover of staff members here which makes it very difficult. The communication from the staff has not been good, my mom was doing PT and they ended it and no one ever told us. My mom is not happy, we dropped her off saw her once and they have not let us back in so the pandemic has made it even more complicated. I do not think it is the right fit for us.

They were a newer facility so they were nice and shiny, but they had a good amount of positive covid cases so it was unclear how the community was so clean but there was positive cases. The staff was friendly but not always. The first night our loved one was there she had fallen out of bed, which she never did at her previous community. The nurse and physician assistant reached out to us that morning saying they did not know if they could care for our loved one anymore. This was very shocking to us, and we were really disappointed.

We chose Atria because it was brand new. It was also the closest to our home so it was convenient. We felt that for him he wouldn't be the new comer since this was a new facility, he would be starting when everyone else is. My brother is in a studio and the size is good and the rooms are beautiful. The food here is good with a lot of variety. They serve it restaurant style. My favorite part about Atria Waldwick would be how interactive the staff is with the residents. They did things prior to COVID like taking trips and had a lot of activities for the residents to enjoy.

We are doing well here with no cases on Covid -19. They are keeping a close eye on people and being very cautious. It is Very clean and they vacuum all day long. Director is always around, he thanks the staff over the intercom everyday before he leaves. He is very visible in the community. The kitchens in units are very nice stainless steel refrigerators, nice counters. Lots of services, laundry etc. They try very hard with activities, doorway bingo, trying hard to keep people busy. Have Mass and pray the Rosary together. Movie theater movies every day and exercise classes. So much to do lots of crafts.Great outdoor spaces and a large patio.

My mom was scheduled to move in , we had moved in all the furniture and they have been waiting for her arrival, but the move in has been delayed due to Covid-19 residents at her current rehab/ skilled facility. Atria Waldwick has been over the top helpful in the whole experience. They hosted my whole family on tours. They have been working with my brother to get her moved in and be under quarantine for 14 days but we have not been able to do this yet. The manager has called everyday to update us on what they are doing to keep their current residents safe and happy. A truly wonderful community.

Administration very disorganized. Not totally surprising since they are just opening. But very misleading info. We were originally told that my father could administer own medications, providing he had a letter from his MD that he was competent to do this with my sister, who is an RN, filling his pill boxes. We were able to easily obtain the letter. Less than 3 weeks before my father was to move in, told he could not and it would cost an additional $630. While this is the going rate, decision to go there in the first place was because of overall cost as he is on a fixed income... I would avoid the place, at least for a year or two until they get their act together...

Atria is quite a building! Too over the top and pricy for my 93 year old mom as she will need more care sooner than later. May be a great facility for others who can afford it when they finish building and get all coordinated.