Bickford of Raytown

I wish there was an unlimited amount of space to talk about the horrible conditions and care that my mother-in-law received in the almost 1 1/2 years she was with Bickford of Raytown. We were finally able to travel to 'rescue' her from Bickford even during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of the issues we had at Bickford were: not getting meals (sometimes not at all) and not getting medicines (sometimes not at all... this is dangerous for someone with diabetes and high blood pressure!).There were times that my mother-in-law went 3 weeks without a shower (she paid extra for this help and did not receive it). The staff refused to help her with her CPAP machine even though she is going blind and couldn't really see to do it right. Her laundry was not done frequently and when it was many times she was given other people's clothes and her own clothes went missing. She never got many of them back. She had money stolen twice from her room and she had over the counter medicines taken from her (that she had permission to have). She suffered from both verbal and mental abuse from many of the staff including the manager who ran the facility. I personally witnessed a 'nurse' man-handling her while taking her blood pressure. I was shocked and thought, if they do that in front of me, what are they doing when no one is around. She paid to have her room/apartment cleaned and yet in the 1 1/2 years she was there, it was only truly cleaned about 3 times. The bathroom remained disgusting (biohazard) and I cleaned it myself when we would visit, taking pictures to show the director. She claimed that they would keep it clean and yet did not. Bickford has an ongoing problem with bedbugs that they can't seem to get rid of- they had been battling them for months and months when my mother-in-law left. All of these issues were brought to the facility directors (there was a change in directors while my mother-in-law was there). Both directors promised change, neither followed through. We had hoped that when Valerie Reece came on as director, things would change. But they only got much, much worse. Valerie berated both the residents and the families. She lied to both the residents and the families. She refused to return calls. She became the root of many of the problems. We called the corporate offices to raise complaints and have filed a complaint with the State of Missouri for elder abuse/neglect. Because COVID-19 no one can get into the facility to check them out right now. Because we live out of state, it was even harder for us to check on my mother-in-law and to find out what was really happening. Please, do not trust this company and do not place your loved one in Bickford of Raytown. While there are many nice people at the corporate office (we had two women who really tried to help us), please know that the care at the Raytown Bickford is not only substandard but downright abusive. Please do not put your loved one in this facility.

Bickford was a good place for my mom at first but most of the employees dont care about the residents and many times are just plain mean to the residents. The building is dirty with no housekeeper. Things that were promised never occurred. You have to ask over and over to get any help or even have anyone walk your dog. Andrea was an awesome activity director but left and there is no activity director. Constant turnover of staff-most of the good ones leave. Food is very inconsistent-good one day and horrible the next. Complaints and concerns were voiced to deaf ears all the way to the top. It appears everyone just makes excuses but changes never occur. Many residents have not had good care-some not getting needed medicines, emergency cords pulled are ignored, bed bugs in several apartments several times-they cant seem to get rid of them. Then when we decided to move my mom they made it very difficult for the family. So sad as we thought this was the place and my mom had made many friends with other residents:

We couldnt be happier with Bickford of Raytown. The caregivers are very compassionate and my father absolutely loves living here. The administrative and management staff is also wonderful and very attentive to our needs. Thank you for taking such great care of my father!

Great!