Assisted living facilities questions

[u/eatyourdamndinner]

Update : Thank you all for your insights. Unfortunately, my mother passed away about ten hours ago.

I am trying to look into facilities in the Austin area from overseas in South Korea. I'm finding it difficult to get much information online and am interested in personal experience.

If you have had any experience with the following Type B places, could you please share the good and the bad? I really appreciate any insight you can offer.

The list I have is:

Riva Ridge in Leander

The Primrose in Round Rock

Crystal Oaks in Pflugerville

and in Austin

Family Traditions

Millhouse

Shady Trails

Southern Hospitality

I'm doing all the digging that I can but I would be grateful for your input as well. Thank you in advance.

[u/LoudlyAcridObserver]

My family went through this search a couple years back, and the online info is rough even when you're local. Can't speak to most of those, but we toured Family Traditions and the staff seemed decent, though it was pretty understaffed on the weekend we visited. Might be worth reaching out to a local senior care advisor in Austin who can give you the real scoop on licensing and complaints, since they often know which facilities have had issues that never make it online.

[u/eatyourdamndinner → u/LoudlyAcridObserver]

We do have a case manager in place. However, there are some hiccups that have happened and my sister and I believe in doing research in addition to the advice we've gotten.

The thing is that my sister is there in Austin and handling so much more than her fair share. I was able to be there for a month but had to return to Korea. It sucks being so far away and circumstances make it basically impossible to return to Texas right now. I want to be there more than anything. I hate that the bulk of this falls on my sister's shoulders. Neither one of us are spring chickens!

So I am trying to do anything and everything I can from the other side of the planet. Given how "tight lipped" these places are, I just am hoping others can share any of their experiences with the places that our care manager provided.

[u/fakebluesunlight]

Aplaceformom.com may have helpful reviews

I found that I had to visit each place to really get the vibe of it, so hopefully your sister can do that. No amount of internet research can tell you if the place smells like urine or worse.

Talking to their sales directors/whoever they have to chat with inquiring folks can tell you a lot.

I just did this a year ago so my heart goes out to you.

[u/PlainOrganization]

As someone who went through this, if your sister can take FMLA from her work to deal with getting your mom settled... send her money.

Nothing says I know this work has value and I support you doing it like money.

[u/Facchino-PJJ]

It’s a crap shoot. Even the most egregiously expensive paces are understaffed, broken elevators, broken underground garage door, no health care workers, no kitchen staff, housekeeping hit or miss. But the shiny new place shows well.