Harmony at Harbour View

This place is absolutely unacceptable, especially considering the amount of money residents are paying. Families are being charged over $5,000 a month, and in return, seniors are being treated with a shocking lack of care and respect. The food being served is terrible—completely unappetizing and not suitable for elderly residents who need proper nutrition. On top of that, there was no hot water for almost an entire month. That alone is inexcusable for any facility, let alone one responsible for vulnerable seniors. The staff’s attitude is just as concerning. Many of them are not kind or attentive, and when serious issues are brought up, they are dismissed. There are even rats running throughout the building, and when staff were asked to put out mouse traps, the response was basically “it’s life, they’ll be okay.” That kind of response is disturbing and shows a complete lack of accountability and compassion. To make matters worse, the price keeps increasing while the quality continues to decline. No one paying this kind of money should have to deal with these conditions. I would strongly advise anyone considering this place to think twice. The residents deserve dignity, cleanliness, proper care, and basic living conditions—none of which are being met here.

It has been 6 months since my mother passed away from Alzheimers. She became a resident at Harmony at Harbour View in 2021; and lived in the same room with my father in Memory Care. My father did not need memory care but refused to leave my mother. He passed away in 2023. My father had a cell phone and was able to call me and share accurate information on the lack of care at Harmony at Harbour View. For 4 years, I met continuously, regarding issues, with each new director (5 total in 4 years), spoke with individuals from the regional corporate office, and had one discussion with someone at the corporate office in South Carolina. Essentially nothing changed over the 4 years. There were a few staff members that were excellent (Keisha, Farrah, Shontae, Debbie, Tiffany, Isa and Irma; and a few I did not know the names). Harmony at Harbour View looks nice, but what you are told will be done, and what actually happens are 2 different things. Medication was not given for multiple reasons including lack of staff, medication not available, and/or staff documented medication was given when it was not given. Family members fill out multiple pages at the time the family member moves in, but this is a waste of time. It is filed and no one reads the information. My mother had orders for her food to be cut up, and it was not. I have a video that shows her trying to stuff a full pork chop in her mouth. I have pictures of my mother trying to eat a Styrofoam box because no one checked on her after she was given a boxed meal in her room. Frequently my mother was sitting in urine and feces soaked clothes, as she had not been changed in hours. I had to hire a personal attendant to stay with my mother for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, because Harmony at Harbour View was not providing the care that was listed in the contract. Administrators did not answer many emails. Administrators would not provide copies of information that I was entitled to have as my mother’s POA. In my mother’s final week of life, when she was in significant pain, there were continuous issues with her getting medication, including someone intentionally withheld her medication, as well as when medication arrived from the pharmacy, it was not placed on the med cart, and was missing. I had to demand that someone go and find the medication. Keisha was my angel at that time. I sent a 16 page document through the complaint line that is listed on the Harmony website with a list of multiple examples of the negligence. No one contacted me regarding the complaints. After 2 months of no response, I called the corporate office in South Carolina, stating I had submitted this formal complaint but had not heard from anyone. The corporate office referred me to a “specialist” in my area to obtain follow up. That “specialist” asked me to email the 16 page document to the regional director which I did. After one week of no response from the regional director, I sent another email. Again no response for another week. I then called the “specialist” back. Of course, after that phone call, the regional director responded to my email with an apology. People would ask all the time why I did not move my mother to another facility. I learned over time, there were issues at all the memory care facilities in my area. For people reading this, what I hope you learn is just because a facility tells you something is happening – it does not mean it is happening. If you are not at the facility on a regular basis, or you do not have a private caregiver, then you don’t know what is happening. If you want to know what is happening at mealtime, you need to be there at mealtime. If you want to know if your loved one is getting their medication, you need to be there around at the times medications are administered. If your family member has dementia, they will not be able to tell you what is happening, and the staff knows that. One of the most honest comments said to me from one of the directors was: “we will not take as good of care of your family member as you would”.

When my Mother in law first moved into Harmony, she loved it. But something has certainly changed. The meals are ridiculous now, more of a toddler trying to fix a meal if you can call what you serve a meal. Its more of a uncooked or over cooked snack. Now, I'm learning that 3 that I know of.... 3 different times they have not had WATER!!! This is not acceptable. I've tried to find who I can speak with that is not at this Facility about many issues that are going on there, but am told its "family' owned and if I want to speak with someone I have to go within the business. I am not happy with the increases in Rent but the care has become horrible. Very upset and looking into this future.

I spoke to my mother tonight. They have had no hot water for about a week?! They are old people who have accidents and are having to deal with taking spit baths with cold water? Unacceptable..Was there a offer of a hotel room to at least bath in? People pay for this type of living for a reason...So they and family members know they have what they need. A week without hot water would infuriate anyone having to smell their selves and how nasty their hair feels. The owner can answer this since no one answered the phone and I could not leave a message..