The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens a CCRC

We brought my 89 yr old father here after he was discharged from the hospital in Minneapolis. I personally flew with him. The thinking was this was the "5 star" gem of the valley. The best care you could get and it was close to our home in Clovis. On the phone the Sales director [name removed] [removed] pined " Oh Yes please bring him here. We will provide the best care. Evaluate him and then place him in assisted living or memory care. It will be one stop shopping. We have Michelin star cuisine. It will be the best decision you can ever make for your father in his elder years". So I did. I had blinders on and believed the 5 star reviews and not the 1 stars. We presented the hospital discharge papers on admittance on [date removed] at 9 35 pm. Dad was admitted to Villaggio East [removed] in the skilled nursing facility at 166 lbs. Official MN hospital discharge weight same day at 1242 pm MN time.. He was to be weighed everyday and if his weight gained more than 2 lbs in 1 day; or was rising and approaching 4 lbs in one week the doctor was to be called. Dad had edema; congestive heart failure and aortic stenosis. So careful weight monitoring was the key otherwise he would end up in the hospital with a Lasix drip and fluid in his lungs. He also was to have his legs elevated and reminded of that by the staff. His diet was supposed to be LOW sodium and the one time we joined him for dinner we had grilled ham and cheese half sandwich...mashed potatoes with gravy....and carrots....that is not LOW sodium. It is a though the staff had not clue. One person was assigned 12 highly challenged people to feed...not a good situation. About the 5 day dad was in the facility his legs were very full of fluid and had travelled to his thighs. I advised the nurse I was taking him to the emergency room. I had seen this before. She called her facility Dr in a panic and whitish face. Pleading me not to take him to ER. She said the DR was going to increase his oral Lasix for next 5 days. I was skeptical and for some reason did not enforce my rights to call an ambulance and 911. In the back of my mind I was worried that causing a fuss would result in [name removed] and the director of sales [name removed] and the director of Nursing [name removed] to see me as a issue and deny my father a place in the facility. Despite "playing ball" that is exactly what happened. [name removed] the chief nursed said we evaluated your father and he's OK he does not need us. [name removed] called and said " Oh I am so sorry suddenly we have had a run on all assisted facility rooms and have no vacancies; pleas take your father out today. I said what? I cannot vacate that quickly and if you want a call from the judge in MN in 5 minutes keep it up," He said . " I see no reason for continuing this phone call and HUNG UP ON ME". So I found a much better place; newer with compassionate people. I made a few phone calls and determined that had I taken my father to the emergency room the facility would have been investigated. Here is the kicker part and the part they cannot deny and the part we are suing for big money and hopefully will result in some action or investigation. Remember how I said dad checked in at 166 lbs on [date removed] and was not supposed to gain more than 2 lbs in 2 days. That mean that when he left he should have weighed no more that 168. Well at discharge in full view on the document he weighed 178. They failed to take care of him and allowed him to gain 12 lbs. So guess what happened. One day at the new facility Magnolia Crossing in Clovis CA. We took him to the emergency room. This was one day after being release from The Terraces and he weighed 178 lbs and his legs and thighs were full of fluid as well as his lungs. Clearly a case of medical negligence at The Terraces skilled nursing facility. He spent 5 days at Clovis Community Medical Hospital on IV Lasix to reduce his fluid imbalance. This was strictly the oversight and non attention of the nurses at The Terraces. When discharged from Clovis Community he was down to 157 pounds. Then the Terraces has the gall and nerve to send us a bill for 9 day stay at $370 a night for $3230 dollars. Lets see you put my dad in the ER and Lord knows how much that bill will be and then you bill us. You should be apologizing. By the way [name removed] the director of the skilled nursing facilit9 not even a nurse) said to me when I told her about the nurses in her unit and the water gain....Oh that happens to all CHF patients. When I told that to Home Health Nurse she said" I have some educating to do with [name removed]" At this point we are consulting an attorney for action against San Joaquin. It may even involve Elder Abuse. Neglecting an 89 yr man with direct orders from his hospital and letting him getting dangerously near a stroke or heart attack may be negligence. Not providing physical therapy and saying its costs $500 a day and we may never get paid....putting money ahead of life when we had told them if insurance does not pay we will. But it seems like [name removed] runs an ATM and it only takes $$$ in. Bottom line don't be fooled by false promises....slick sales pitches...beautiful trees.....slick brochures….try eating a gross ham and chees sandwich that your beloved will get ……..worry about if your loved one is waiting for care or is being over looked because of the understaffing others have mentioned...….live on the edge because if you complain or are seen as the squeaky wheel [name removed] the chief nurse or [name removed] or [name removed] will magically find a way to advise you that sorry your lease is up or they are full. Pretty soon [name removed] may send the message by courier pigeon or text or email.....he seems like the politician type that I guess he was and is trying that 24/7 smile in where the money is selling residence at The terraces...I hear the commission are better than at the new Harrons Jag/Range Rover. Will update when we win the court case for malpractice/negligence/and PAIN and Suffering....it so clear ..enter at 166 leave at 178..then admitted to ER for 5 days......and all those painful IV s on a poor 89 yr old man. Bottom line spread the word...stay away.....

Very expensive! Price quoted to our family was $200K buy in plus $8000 per month. Much more than my mother's limited resources allowed. We were not provided a tour, so can't speak to the facilities although the grounds appear nice.

I have lived at the Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens for a little over a year and consider the move here as one of the best decisions I've ever made. Moving is a big hassle, but soooo worth it! Everyone here is very friendly, there are all kinds of activities, there are lots of choices regarding meals, and the food is good. This is a non-profit continuing care community, which means I'll never have to move if my health status changes. The buildings and grounds are beautiful.

That was nice but it was too vast. My mother would have been in a building by herself and she would have to walk outside to get dinner. I wasn't sure what she was up to at that point and I found a community where everything she needs is all in one place.