Grande at South Portland

Don't be reeled in by pretty spaces, a sweet coffee shop, and in-progress puzzle and game tables. Notice that those spaces are mostly unused by residents who are primarily in their rooms. Notice that the staff changes A LOT. During Mom's 2.5 years there, there were four directors and countless nurse directors and caregivers. Emails to the Director/Nurse Director were often ignored or answered a week or even two weeks later. After repeated requests about Mom's meal attendance and after being told that she "always is at dinner with friends," their software program indicated that she attended seven meals in one month. SEVEN. Out of ninety. We were told three different times that Mom's controlled medications had expired and disposed of (with no refills ordered) despite the prescriptions having been filled two to three months earlier. We paid $650/month for medication administration, which requires supervision, and we found scattered pills in her apartment. Corporate ownership is out of state. For most of the employees, being here is a job. They are not compassionate caregivers who treat your loved ones with dignity and grace. If your loved one is engaged and self-advocates, maybe this is a better fit. For us, it was neglect and incompetence.

The Grande at South Portland has truly exceeded all of my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the luxurious and beautifully maintained facilities. It's clear that attention to detail is a priority here, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Beyond the stunning physical environment, however, it's the staff that truly sets The Grande apart. They are incredibly caring, compassionate, and genuinely dedicated to the residents. I’ve been so impressed by their professionalism and the personalized attention they provide. The overall vibe at The Grande is one of comfort, respect, and genuine community. It's evident that they strive to create a fulfilling and enriching experience for their residents. For anyone seeking assisted living or memory care for a loved one, especially those with discerning tastes, The Grande at South Portland is an absolute must-see. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Our experience with our mother was terrible. Do not be fooled by their gorgeous building. It's all smoke and mirrors to get families in the door. Money is their bottom line. She was in Assisted Living for 2 years and it was bad from the beginning. They did have a change of ownership during our time, but things got worse under new management. There is a constant revolving door of employees, mom had no one that actually knew her or cared. She never went to meals (that we paid for) and they did not notice. She never went to activities, and they didn't notice. They did nothing to encourage either meals or participation in activities. Her as-needed medication was often missing when I called to have it administered. (Also interesting that it was only her controlled substance that seemed to go missing or expire.) She was wasting away and neglected. Repeated phone calls and meetings with staff did absolutely nothing to improve the quality of her care. When we finally moved her to another facility, not a soul said goodbye or take care to her, that spoke volumes. We have moved mom to a lovely place, and I'm devastated that we didn't do it sooner.

We considered The Grande for a family friend and although we did not end up going this route (needed more advanced care at nursing home) this was our top choice! Highly recommend! Very nice facilities and extremely friendly staff. Angela showed us around and was very knowledgeable and welcoming.