Brighton Gardens of St. Charles

Our visit to this facility was terrible. When I called to set it up, the individual, I spoke to seemed to be talking to me from corporate; she didn’t know anything about the actual facility, although I cannot be sure she was from corporate. She seemed to be reading from a script. When we arrived, we were greeted by a young woman wearing tennis shoes with a shirt that was riding up so that we could see her stomach; it was incredibly unprofessional. She had so much makeup on, she could have been walking the streets. She had worked there for four months and didn’t know the difference between a studio apartment and a one bedroom apartment. She took us to see a studio when we specifically asked to see a one bedroom and then argued with me claiming that it was a one bedroom. It was completely empty. It had horrible looking carpet and the walls were colored an institutional white. It was depressing beyond words. She could not answer some of the most basic questions and kept saying that she would have to ask a sales person. I assumed we were going to be meeting with a sales person since we had taken the time to schedule a tour two weeks in advance. She took us to a private dining room and stated that residents could host their families there to have a special meal. She mentioned that we would have to rent it. I questioned her on that because no other facility we visited made you pay to use the private dining room, and she then began asking other staff members if she was right or not. She couldn’t find a staff member who could answer that question! To her credit, she did discover that I was right about what a one bedroom apartment actually is, and apologized that she had been wrong. She did not, however, offer to show us a one bedroom apartment. I asked for floor plans with room dimensions for a one bedroom apartment, but she couldn’t provide those either. My wife and I could not wait to get out of this place. I would never recommend it because if this is the kind of person they hire to sell you on the facility, you can only imagine what kind of care is being given to the residents.

When mom needed to move to a facility we felt BG was the best fit for her. She was welcomed and quickly became involved in many activities. She became friends with many residents and staff members. We always felt she was well cared for and respected by staff. Whenever we voiced a concern it was quickly addressed. During mom’s last days, it was obvious how much staff truly cared.

The staff and facility at Brighton Gardens in St. Charles is wonderful. Everyone is always pleasant and attentive with the residents. There are many very nice activities and programs to enjoy with the residents and their families. The food is good, and the main dining room is beautiful.

Every time I walked in to Brighton the residents were always engaging in activities or some type of social hour. Staff was always present and engaged. Residents were happy. The facility was always clean. The dining room is resort style dining and the food always seems appealing. Very dignified. My mother received the best care the few months she was here. My only regret was not bringing her to Brighton Gardens sooner. Don't look further. It does not get better than Brighton.