Carmel Hills

Both of my parents called Carmel Hills "home" for close to 20 years. My father passed away after 10 years and mother remained there another 9 years. Such loving care and a christian family atmosphere with such encouragement.

One will never find a more sincere caring people anywhere else! My mother never heard “that’s not in my job description “. She felt loved the moment she walked in and everyday she was there. And all her needs were met with a smile. Plus, the setting has got to be the prettiest in town!

Although it has been several years since my father passed away, he spent his last days at Carmel Hills. The facility and staff were wonderful, the grounds are beautiful, and the caring Christian atmosphere permeates everything aspect of Carmel Hills. During his last days, my father had a number of brief stays at other local facilities before relocating to Carmel Hills when his health stabilized. This was, by far, the most wonderful place, regardless of cost, that we encountered.

Avoid this place. All the nepotism in this facility prevents holding anyone accountable when someone is not doing their job or providing low level care. Independent side is homey, cozy, cheerful, and friendly mainly because the residents do not depend on caregivers. On the other hand, the assisted living side is the complete opposite. Only one member of staff displayed her love to be in this profession. I was annoyed with the caregiver attitude, low skillset, unprofessional behavior, and poor or zero communication skills. Turned off by the Director of Nursing and Administrative Director’s complacent attitude. Neither has the skill or drive to hold the facility to higher standards. Annoyed with the unclean and unsanitary conditions. There was no dedicated/consistent housekeeping staff during the last 5-6 months of my mom’s stay. I could go on but the folks that run this facility currently, do not care. They like the status quo. Hard to believe this was a 5 Star facility at one time. Could be wonderful with the right people managing it.

I can't say enough kind words about Carmel Hills. It is thoroughly Christian and it shows in the way they treat the residents. From the top on down, the staff radiates a joy and compassion that you just don't see anywhere else, even in the kitchen. After a long day of grueling work, the kind that most of us would consider repulsive, the CNA's in the Care Center are still smiling, still loving on the patients. And the director there, Sally, has a sixth sense of what ailment might be developing, even before it happens. She gets to know every patient so that she can detect even the slightest change in their physical and mental well-being. I'm convinced that my mother would not have survived as long as she did without Sally noticing a change in her gait that turned out to be a stroke coming on and swelling in her leg which turned out to be clots forming. Mom was always immaculately dressed and groomed in the Care Center. Her pants were even pressed and shoes shined. The room was always spotless. Sally saw to it that even though she suffered from a stroke and was immobile for a while, that she was wheeled into the hallway in front of the nurse's station where they could keep an eye on her and where she could be around other residents so that she wouldn't feel lonely. The administrator Richard Todd and his wife Lydia work tirelessly to get to know each resident by name, as well as their families. They even adjust the decor in the place specifically to remind the residents of their home. After my mom passed, the entire board of directors surrounded us in prayer. Richard and Lydia followed up with song and piano accompaniment on the spot that was so soothing to our souls. Even the residents care for one another. One lady in particular, 95 years old herself, would make my mom breakfast when she was on the independent side and would come to sing to her when she was moved to the Care Center. The setting is so serene, almost hidden from view in a wooded lot, with a pond in the back, places to walk and benches to sit on. It's older and more like a lodge, is very reasonably priced, relatively speaking, with activities on both the independent side as well as the Care Center. They are very easy to deal with. I'll never forget the kindness they displayed toward my mom.