The Oaks at Battle Creek

My family and I had to place my mom in the rehab area at the Oaks in because she broke her foot. I was amazed when I first walked in with how clean and beautiful it was! The employees smiled and greeted us every time we visited. Her room was so comfortable and clean! We worked with Brittnay when we switched to respite assisted living and she was kind, thorough and extremely helpful. I am so impressed with The Oaks and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their elderly parent!

My experience with the Oaks at Battle Creek was horrible! I took my mother to the hospital because she had fallen a couple times at home and I noticed some changes that were concerning. While in the hospital the doctors referred her to a nursing home for PT. After PT she was supposed to go to long term care for her dementia. The hospital assisted in finding a facility to accommodate my mother’s needs. The oaks told borgess they had an open bed and could take her. I called the Oaks 6 times looking to speak with someone in admissions. I was told 6 times Sharita would call me back shortly. To no avail she never called me back. The next day we had to move her. Upon arrival at the oaks everything seemed ok. The rooms are nice sized the nurse on duty (Tara) was a sweetheart. I seen Sharita in passing, she said she was super busy but need me to at least sign a DNR before I leave and that she will email me the rest of the docs to sign. My mother was there from May 9 to August 7 and I NEVER signed anything other than the DNR. Not to mention I never gave them a copy of my medical POA. A month into her stay I received a call from Lynn threatening to send my mom to psych because of her behavior. I schedule a meeting for the next day, waited two hours in the lobby. After speaking with Lynn she tells me they don’t have a memory care unit anymore and I should probably start looking to move her somewhere more suitable. At this point I am irritated but understand I am partially to blame because I didn’t wait to speak to admissions before moving her. While visiting with mom I noticed her favorite blanket is missing so I mentioned it and I was assured it was in laundry. The next week I went to visit and she was wearing shoes and pants that didn’t belong to her. I mentioned it to her nurse ( Williams) and her response to me was “ I don’t who clothes she got on I don’t do the laundry” make note that on the inside of all their clothes is their name. So I ask Ms. Williams was she assisting my mother when she uses the bathroom? The response was “ I let her do her own thing”. I am beyond furious! Next week she’s got on the same shoes that I mentioned before. I take them to the nurses station reiterated that they do not belong to my mother and everyone there looked confused. For over a month they kept giving those same shoes back to my mother. I was cleaning up her room and found a few more items that didn’t belong to her. I also noticed she was missing a few things. I filled out a report but nothing came of it. A few weeks went by after the report and we are finally ready to move her out. I call and ask that they have all of her belongings in her room so I can pack her up. She had two trash bags filled with soiled clothes. It reeked so bad of urine. She was still missing items, some of them from my original report weeks prior. I asked Ms. Williams if she knew where her blankets were and of course she responded “ I don’t know I don’t do laundry”. Eventually Genevieve ( the lady that does do laundry) comes down to my moms room. I ask her about my moms blankets, she attempts to find them. I mention that I will let her know next week if anything else is missing and she tells me “ well don’t wait to long because if it’s in someone else room they might move out and take it”. Understandable. I went through the soiled clothes to make sure nothing else was missing. There was a few things. I called first thing this morning to provide them with a detailed list. I left a message for Genevieve but didn’t not receive a return call. I tried again only to be told she’s gone for the day. Majority of the staff at the oaks is extremely unprofessional. The aids and nurses lack empathy and compassion. Except Tara and the young lady with long brown hair and tattoos. Forgive me I can’t remember her name. I am in awe of how poorly this nursing home is run!

I called this facility asking for admissions and was told I would be transferred. Instead, I was left on hold for over 10 minutes, only to hear someone pick up the line and hang up. I called back and spoke with a different person, who told me admissions was busy. Unfavorable level of care and communication. First impressions matter, especially when it comes to trusting others with the care of a family member. This experience did not inspire confidence.

My dad needed a short-term facility to go after an unexpected hospital stay. He needed a rehabilitation facility that would be able to help his specific needs. Elizabeth Schwartz and her team at the Oaks is absolutely, by far, the BEST rehabilitation team in Calhoun County. They are kind, patient, encouraging and most importantly the work is getting done and the results are incredible. My dad enjoyed the staff and really enjoyed the food. The oaks is in the process of remodeling and everyone was accommodating and considerate. Our family made the right choice by choosing the Oaks of Battle Creek. Thank you to everyone who took such great care of my dad!