Anthem Lakes

Sadly, Anthem Lakes has proven to be a substandard experience. Those entrusted with the care of my 90 year-old mother have failed on many accounts. After 5 months in residence, my fall-risk mother was unaccompanied while walking around fully-dressed at 4 am while caregivers apparently slept. When she returned to her room alone, she fell & shattered her femur, requiring extensive surgery and never walked again. Mom soon began having seizures when returning to Anthem Lakes, from rehab, and had to be admitted to Hospice or be moved to a nursing home. Three months after the above experience, DCF was brought in as she was solidly bruised from both hands up to her elbows; her skin then began to tear. Nobody on staff noticed or admitted what was happened to her as I continued to inquire. As I continued to press, It was discovered by the best employee ever on staff, that a male night-shift employee was being rough with her as she was uncooperative when being checked during the night; I was terrified that she was being abused and she could not express her experience as she has Alzheimers. The abusive employee was suspended during the investigation but was to my dismay, hired back. The best-ever employee was subsequently fired for a ridiculous reason, perhaps for trying to get to the bottom of Mom's bruises. Although I wished to move Mom to a more responsible facility I felt my hands were tied. I didnt want her in a nursing home nor could I afford an on-site caregiver at AL. I continued to visit daily to keep an eye on her, although 2 hrs daily only showed that she was being left in soiled clothing as were the other residents. Staff was continually asked to remedy the situation & I became a sort of burden for asking them to do their job & take care of Mom, though I paid in excess of $5,000 monthly. Strike 3 was when Moms teeth began falling out because they weren't brushing her teeth. Mgmnt was unresponsive. After 2+ yrs and severe decline in care I knew I had to move her. 30 days notice was given on 8/5/19, hoping to move her to a new ALF being built, however my own life was very busy and 30 days went by. On 8/28 I received a registered letter from Anthem Lakes attorney notifying me they had a waiting list and telling me to sign & return the letter to cancel my notice to move. I didnt sign it, received no call or other communication, other than 2 days later when I received an eviction notice, giving me 45 days to move my mom OR ELSE. I attempted to call the Exec Dir for further information (as I had given several 30-days notices prior to being able to move into the newly- constructed Anthem Lakes without being evicted.) Nobody returned my calls so I emailed, and included the owner in my request for info. The exec dir responded and said the eviction letter was self-explanatory and that residence was month to month. I began to press the new facility for a move-in date. It turns out that the nursing dept at Anthem Lakes told the new facility that Mom was combative and had behavioral issues, & the new facility rejected Mom due to this. When I contacted the owner at Anthem Lakes regarding the rejection and possibility that I may not meet their move-out deadline, they were rude in stating that they absolutely would not extend Mom's residency. Luckily I had her on a waiting list at another facility and was able to move her. I had never expected an ALF that claims to have a passion for the elderly to threaten to put someones loved one out on the curb or have the state come & get them because they had a waiting list. Upon completing the move I began alerting others through public forums, of the poor treatment received by AL mgmnt & owners. Immediately I was contacted by the facility owner, threatening me with legal action for defamation & slander. I informed him that I would not be intimidated by his threats and would tell my story in an effort to help others avoid the heartache I have endured by trusting Anthem Lakes with the care of my mother.

Anthem Lakes is a beautiful community with staff that truly cares. Community holds events on a regular basis and provides excellent food. From speaking with residents and families of the community in AL and MC, they really appreciate the attention to detail and the high quality of care they receive.