Brookdale Orange Park

My mom stays here. She’s made friends and having meals with them each day is the best part of their day. There is a group of six of them. They sit at three tables pulled together longways. It’s been this way since mom moved in. Last week they told my mom and her friends they can no longer sit together. Reason being “it was meant for each table to be separate”. I and my mom asked management not to do this. Today they did it. Im stunned. Caring for their residents is NOT top priority. I would second guess putting your loved ones here. While there are many great employees that do care, their management team does not. Shame on you!

Brookdale Orange Park has an incredible staff, from the line staff through the management team. I am a Geriatric Care Manager and have had several clients who have resided there. They had received excellent care in all areas, mind, body, spirit. The community is cheerful and welcoming while providing the assistance and supervision the residents need. The community focuses on the individual need of each resident encouraging them to stay active, social and involved in life!

My loved one has been a resident for almost a year now. I visit twice a week, at least, and it can vary from morning to a late evening visit. Whenever it is, I'm always greeted by the same warm and welcoming staff. The turnover is almost nonexistent and that brings a great deal of comfort and security to both me and my loved one. They truly care about their residents and the place is managed with care and competence. Executive Director Shelly and Medical Director Fatima are on top of everything! Their doors are always open and two way communication isn't just lip service. It's encouraged and followed through on. I really can't say enough good things about Brookdale of Orange Park. We're very happy with our choice in assisted living residence and it certainly seems like all of the other residents and their families are happy to be there as well.

In 2023, I was diagnosed with brain and abdominal cancer. Unable to continue living alone, I moved into Brookdale Orange Park as an assisted living resident. As a 76 year old spinster, I was hesitant about my ability to cope with any form of communal living. My doubts withered the instant I was wheeled in the door. Two of the support staff high-fived me with smiling assurance that I would "walk out of here cancer free and smiling." They set the tone for the many months I spent in the facility. Following are three examples of the professionalism and personalized care I experienced. (1) When the chef learned I was an insulin-taking diabetic, she went to extraordinary lengths to give me meals that were as protein rich and carbohydrate limited as possible; all this while she trained me in the ins and outs of scrutinizing labels. When treatments required that I miss a scheduled meal, she provided me with take-aways that fit my dietary restrictions. (2) Once a month I was hospitalized for methotrexate treatment which weakened my immune system. Brookdale offered to "isolate" me at a table of my own in the dining room, so I could continue to socialize rather than eat alone in my room. I was always tickled each time I entered the dining room after a week or so away when fellow residents waved and chatted and wanted an immediate update on my "progress." (3) The first week of my residency as I was learning to use my walker, I fell and sat on my butt in the hallway. I pushed my "call for help" pendant and was almost immediately surrounded by staff members. I was impressed with their professional response and their gentle efficiency; I never felt inept or ridiculous. In conclusion, I did leave Brookdale cancer free in the spring of 2024, but I felt I was leaving an extended family. My respect and admiration for the professionals who work there and my affection for the residents has led me to be a twice-a-month speaker for their Guest Speaker series. My Brookdale experience was a blessing-in-disguise during my cancer treatment and continues to provide friends and support.