Brookdale Spruce Wood

I have been assisted and supported in my process as a person with a progressive diagnosis. Without that support in managing my care I would most ;likely be in a nursing home. I have felt empowered to continue with activities that give meaning to my life.

Brookdale Spruce Wood, and specifically their memory-care wing called "Clare Bridge," gets a mixed review. I'd give the facility and staff that interacted daily with my parents 4 stars, the food 2 stars, and upper management, a single star. The staff that cared for my parents were generally very good to excellent. The food served at Clare Bridge, based on the reviews of my father, was between poor to acceptable. They made zero dietary accommodations with the excuse being that there was no "dietician" at the facility. But the real problem they experienced was that Brookdale did not personalize the care my mother received based on her needs. Brookdale seems to have a "cookie cutter" formula and if you fit into their mold, they would be a good place to live. But if you needed anything outside of their comfort zone, forget it. In our situation, Mom was temporarily confined to a wheelchair because of a recent fall. But instead of helping her improve so she could walk again, Brookdale instead thwarted our every attempt to do so. She had been very athletic and was suffering from Alzheimers, but we knew that it would be her desire to walk, not live the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Yet Brookdale did everything they could to prevent her from seeking to walk again, including cancelling the part-time Physical Therapy that was approved and that we were paying for. We then got approval to bring in a fitness trainer but that was promptly cancelled by the Director after two productive sessions. No follow up was ever given, nor any effort to reimburse us for the wasted expense. Since the Director never explained any of this, even after we gave our notice and moved out, I can only speculate that they were so fearful that Mom would fall again that they were willing to take no risk whatsoever. Perhaps a fall on "their watch" was unacceptable to them even if it was a small risk that we were willing to take because we knew it was what Mom would have wanted. My parents moved into another facility and Mom is walking again, with supervision, after less than two weeks. I can't imagine what her physical trajectory would have been had we stayed at Clare Bridge, but I know it would not have been good.

A senior residential community for independent adults and those requiring assistance with mobility or administration of medications. A memory unit is also available. Staff is caring and superb. Food is excellent. Staff are excellent, caring and competent . Setting, located about 2 mi from Durham. New Hampshire is surrounded by conservation-protected woods and fields. Trails for walking and exploring are available for those with independent mobility.

My family and I researched quite a few memory care units to find the best place for mom. In fact, A Place For Mom is who recommended that we look at Brookdale Spruce Wood. From the moment we first viewed the place, we knew it was right. The best thing is that the cost is a lot less than most facilities in our area. The staff is wonderful! They really try to get to know every resident and figure out how to keep them engaged. Mom is so happy and healthy there and our family can rest assured knowing that she is safe.