Commonwealth Senior Living at Grand Rapids

My loved one had a difficult situation in regards to finding the right fit as far as assisted living communities went. Commonwealth at Grand Rapids welcomed us with open arms and it couldn't have been a better fit for what my loved one needed. It was a huge relief for our family. From the initial tour where Tracy, Jen and Vicki welcomed us to the caring staff that my loved one formed friendships with and whom became like a second family, we couldn't have asked for a better assisted living community. The environment is clean and homey, the rooms are lovely, the grounds are cheerful and most importantly, the residents are cared for. There is a true sense of community at this community! My family is truly grateful for the experience that my loved one had!

I'm so impressed by everyone at Commonwealth. I could tell immediately that they really care about all of their residents. It was clear this was a safe and well cared for place for my dad. Unfortunately, not all places have the standards of commonwealth but I'm grateful that they do and so glad we chose them. The kindness and understanding of the staff shows in the routine daily interactions with their residents and I am so grateful.

When we first visited Commonweath Sweet Memories it was an "aha wow" moment where I felt angels were singing. I am not kidding. My mom needed more than I could provide and this was the place I could see her thriving. A community which offered activities and interactions and aides who greeted us with a smile. The transition was rocky but they were supportive of my mom and me and I finally stopped living in fight or flight mode and could breathe. Irene was a bright light during this tough time and I could not have gotten through it without her. Fast forward 12 months...something changed. Due to my mom's financial situation we needed to change facilities and ended up in a medicaid facility. First thought when you hear "Medicaid facility" is that they are dirty, over crowded and with aides who don't care, right? This new facility where we actually had our name on the waiting list for over 10 months, actually showed me what Commonwealth was lacking. I believe they are doing the best that they can but the residents in Sweet Memories deserve better. 1)The patient aide ratio is seriously lacking. At maximum Sweet Memories can support 40 residents. I know that there are more aides in the building but I only saw 3 aides at a time in SM. Sadly, I often saw them on their phone. One would be watching and the others on their phones. 2)The aide turn over is a lot. I was in once a week to visit and rarely did I recognize the same aides twice. There were a few whose smiling, consistent faces I loved, but not many. With the high turnovers I saw a few (unwitnessed by aides) patient falls and dangerous lifts and I wonder if they have time for appropriate training. 3)Without having a cooking kitchen in SM, food was often served cold. The warming kitchen is not enough for 40 residents. Commonwealth could be a premiere memory care facility with an increase in aides, training and lowering the number of residents. A cooking kitchen where they could focus on the needs of the residents by providing nutritious and warm food would be a blessing to those who are confused and afraid.

My grandpa was moved to Commonwealth's memory care floor after having a bad experience at another facility in GR. It is such a breath of fresh air to come in every time and see a clean space, with happy people, and kind staff who are actively engaged with the residents. I was having a very bad day on one of my visits and one of the staff members stopped and consoled me when I really needed it. I am so thankful that my grandpa is being well cared for by the incredible staff at Commonwealth.