Brookstone Assisted Living

Brookstone Living facility in Fayetteville on Longview has been a nightmare since February. My independent elderly friend of over a decade disappeared one day and stopped answering his phone. I started receiving calls from a number I didn’t know. It was my friend calling from a Brookstone phone, he happened to get his hands on it. What he told me was the beginning of a horrible nightmare for him and all of us who care about him. He told me he was agreeable to trying out an assisted living facility - so checked himself into Assisted Living see if he would like it there. Turns out the facility allowed his son to instead talk them into a bed in memory care (he was attempting to get his father legally incapacitated to secure a revocable trust). The “resident” had been fully independent, son didn’t hv POA nor guardianship established when my friend checked himself in. Son tells my friend he is only in memory care temporarily, that when a bed opens on Assisted Living side, he’s going to move him. Meanwhile, he’s busy establishing POA to keep his father there and filing for guardianship because now he’s in the memory unit. So, he has now the appearance of incapacitation. The resident calls me frantic on a phone he got somehow because they had taken his phone too. He told me how he was tricked to check himself in and how none of his friends were allowed to visit. He wasn’t showed calls to his attorney nor the police. I called and was told by DON and Activity Director I couldn’t call to check on him, see him, call him, take him out, send letters or even packages. He stated he wanted an attorney and wanted out. They kept him there against his will, despite allowing him to check himself in. Denied his rights. They isolated him, allowed mental abuse, kept him there against his will and caused a lot of psychological trauma. He wonders how this happened to him. It happened in large part by this facility looking the other way and major rights violations. The one time I attempted to visit him to help, Sabrina came out loud and aggressive, totally ready to fight. It was clear she was not professional nor capable of being a leader whom should be trusted to abide by state statutes regarding elder laws. She was abusive verbally and unreasonably loud and aggressive from the get go. Her mind was made up and she didn’t want anyone to interfere with my friend’s “resident” status in memory care. As I knew, he was deemed NOT incapacitated but competent and has been released just this week- it’s April now, after a long hard fight. But what an emotional roller coaster since February. This could all have been avoided had the facility operated with integrity instead of operating unlawfully. 100% do not recommend this facility. This nightmare was only possible through leadership looking the other way that there was not a dementia diagnosis. Family could put into question my friend’s mental state only based on his resident status in memory care. Their most important evidence being that he is in memory care therefore, he is automatically incapacitated and they can file for guardianship. This has been a nightmare we can only hope to put in the past however, the wounds are fresh. The facility should be held accountable so this doesn’t happen to someone else. These are days my friend can’t get back. It’s a traumatic experience at the end of this elders life. This is simply, a tragedy that can not happen again.

Brookstone is a beautiful facility however when you pull the curtain back there is several things that are concerning. One of the main things is lack of communication. The staff is like a revolving door, and it’s hard to know who does what. My dad has been here a little over 2 years and he has dementia. In the past he has gone 2 weeks without his laundry being done, has gone without toilet paper on several occasions and the food has a lot to be desired. I think overall the staff has the residents best interest at heart but the management is definitely lacking. I have had meeting with the director and the owner and things get better for a little bit but then start having issues again. I know there is no perfect place but for the money my dad is shelling out these things should not be an issue. I check on him several times a week but I wonder about those that have no one looking in on them. It’s very hard to trust they will do what they say they will. I would definitely have eyes wide open if you chose this facility and be prepared for annual “cost of living” rate increases.

My mom is in Brookstone’s Enhanced Living quarters. Since she has been there I have felt confident in her well being. She has severe dementia and they take care of her so well. The entire staff is loving and caring. Kind and sympathetic. Jennifer has been a God send to our family as has all the staff and medical staff. They listen and address our family concerns and are very patient answering all our questions. I would highly recommend Brookstone to anyone looking for a kind efficient and clean place!,, thank you Brookstone staff for taking great care of our mom. Karen

We are so thankful that my mother was able to spend the last months of her life at Brookstone. The administration and staff could not have been nicer or more supportive. She received excellent care. Everyone did their best to meet her increasing needs while treating her with respect and kindness. I only wish that she had been able to live there a long time and enjoy the many activities and the prevalent family atmosphere. Even the registered nurse from Hospice was complimentary of Brookstone's outstanding care. After mother passed away, everyone at Brookstone was so empathetic and kind to us. We will always believe that moving my mother to Brookstone was the best thing we could have done for her at this time. Our sincere thanks and gratitude to the employees at Brookstone.

My father moved into Brookstone 5 years ago, first on the assisted living side then the last few months prior to his death on memory support. We were thrilled at every turn. When he moved in, it was as my mother was dying. Brookstone staff took this time of great grief and turned it into a new beginning for all of us. What makes Brookstone stand out from others is that they truly care, not only about the resident but their family. The residents are treated as individuals with each little need being considered. The care and compassion is second to none. The staff reduced my need to worry 10 fold. They were quick to keep me notified of even the smallest need. I wouldn't have had my father anywhere else. Though the facility is beautiful and always spit spot clean, the outings fun, educational and engaging, the parties for residents and families a blast, what makes this community is the staff. All of them, each and every one. Through our time at Brookstone I have made lifelong friends!