SOUTHERN GARDENS

My experience of being there and visiting was great. The building is really cool and smelled nice upon entry. The staff was really helpful and kind. They seem to really care about their residents.

I recently had the opportunity to spend time at this facility, and I was genuinely impressed by the way it’s operated. Tara, the Executive Director, runs a tight ship while still maintaining a warm, resident-focused environment. The staff were attentive and professional, and you could feel that residents were well cared for and respected. The facility was clean, organized, and had a calm, welcoming energy. It’s clear that strong leadership makes all the difference — and Tara delivers that. This is a place where I’d feel confident placing a loved one.

I first met Regina in September 2019 and I have worked with her to place two close family members. She always exceeds my expectations in every issue we address. She is a kind and compassionate advocate for our most vulnerable population. I wholeheartedly recommend The Gardens of Lake Alfred. Their facility has been remodeled in the last year and everything is new and clean. The staff are committed to assisting residents and their families in any way they can. I have dealt with other assisted living facilities in Polk County and this is one of the most accommodating places I’ve ever worked with.

The Gardens of Lake Alfred is a great place for your loved one. The staff is friendly and helpful, Regina is the BEST!! She is well versed and takes her time with each resident as if they were part of her family. My grandmother is one of the residents for the past 2 yrs and my family could not be any happier with the care she receives.

The place is great unless your loved one has dementia. My family member was having issues remembering to eat & I was advised that they will encourage her to eat & make sure she does. They did not, I'd go for dinner & was told she didn't feel like eating & would take her food away. They act like they care about the residents & get to know them but it is all about money with them. My loved one was unexpectedly was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer & I was constantly being reminding that Hospice could treat her at the facility. Meaning a Hospice caretaker would go there 2 hours a day with my loved one having 22 hours by themselves. I advised them I would be moving her a hospice facility against their opinion, again they see dollar signs. The contact person there that gives you her cell is very efficient with answering any texts & dealing with issues promptly but the day I moved out my loved & I was told she was going to visit my loved one even though they may not remember them, not 2 full days later my loved one passed. I messaged the contact at the Gardens to notify her & got no response. Solidifying the fact that they never cared about my loved one. They just wanted to money & to be a the facility under she passed. Well, even I was a heartless person & had one loved one there until they passed they still wouldn't have had any more rent cause she passed 2 days after moving her out. If your family member is self sufficient & you plan on keeping them at the resident until they pass, great place. After seeing how things transpired with my loved one getting diagnosed unexpectedly with cancer & being in extreme pain & their reluctance to having her discharged & to see the lack of care with her dementia while she lived there I would definitely not recommend this facility to anyone else. Unless their loved one doesn't need any "extra" care or pray hard that your loved one's diagnosis doesn't change cause they will not make it easy to move them out.