Commonwealth Senior Living At Charlottesville

Today's experience at the Commonwealth Senior Living was a disaster! I received a phone call from Martha Jefferson that my loved one was there and had been for thirty minutes due to a fall. The hospital was NOT the hospital of our choice. Both the hospital and I tried to contact the Commonwealth with no luck. The nurse had no way to know what meds he had taken and when he took them! I continued to reach out to the Commonwealth throughout the day with no luck. At 5:20 I received a text informing me my husband had fallen, without witnesses, this morning. When Martha Jefferson discharged my husband that had still not been able to contact anyone at the Commonwealth. There are wonderful staff members at The Commonwealth Senior Living but the turnover in Memory Care is high with little if any training in dealing with Lewy's Bodies Dementia!

You asked; so here is an honest answer. I arrived at 1:35 pm for my performance scheduled for 2:00. As there was nobody at the reception desk, I checked the bulletin board to confirm time and place. As the board indicated the location to be 1F, I proceeded there, unloaded and set up my sound equipment, tuned my instruments and waited for two or three minutes until 2:00. Shortly before 2:00 a staff member informed me that I was supposed to be on the second floor. (She did offer to carry some of my equipment.) So I loaded my wagon with my instruments and equipment and made my way to the second floor. The dozen or so folks sitting there had to wait an additional 10 or 15 minutes while I set up my equipment in the new location. My performance began at about 2:20. However, since there was another event scheduled at 3:00 (incidentally in 1F), my hour concert was reduced to 40 minutes. It was a bit awkward as 3:00 approached since some of the folks began to walk out in order to get to the next event. Other than that it was a wonderful afternoon. Folks seemed to enjoy the music we shared together, and that is what really counts here. Thanks for listening.

Leadership is poor driving high staff turnover, low moral and broken promises. The care team who actually assists residents overall is very good.

My mom lived in Independent Living there for about five years. I give 5 stars to the staff, who were unfailingly kind, generous, caring and patient with my mom (kudos to you all!). I give one star (zero stars if I could) to the management, who are completely callous and unresponsive. This was evident throughout her stay but particularly apparent—and painful--at the end. Mom took a fall that put her into the ER; she was subsequently hospitalized and then entered into hospice care. I immediately notified CSL that mom would not be returning to CSL and completely vacated her room before September 30th. Nevertheless, I received a bill for October rent. Not one person—no one at the CSL facility and no one at the headquarters—ever even had the courtesy to respond to my repeated attempts to resolve the situation (phone calls and letters which went unanswered and in-person contacts when those failed). I can only guess that the bill was due to a lack of 30-day notice to vacate, despite the fact that her fall and ensuing downward spiral obviously did not allow for that. I continued to refuse payment and the bill was finally sent to a collection agency. After hounding me for over a year after my mom’s death, the bill was finally cancelled. As heart wrenching as it is to lose a loved one, these vultures made an incredibly difficult situation that much worse. Shame on you!

The Concierge was happy and so welcoming! In speaking with Residents they enjoyed the community, variety of activities, meals, being able to have their pets, Staff and caring environment! I met families who were visiting and brought in their dogs and children to visit and everyone had wonderful things to say about having their loved ones in the CSL of Charlottesville! I liked that they had options such to choose from: completely independent apartment living, assisted living and memory care! I also liked that in the dining area they have a signature program where they are growing their own plants for healthy food! I felt the Staff were caring, sincere and the company provides a quality care program. I see why they are a long time leader in the senior care industry! I loved the one bedroom apartment for me and my dog! If you're considering a change, look no further! Best wishes in your new home!