Overall sentiment in the reviews is mixed but leans positive on facility quality, atmosphere, and activities while showing repeated concerns about care consistency, dining quality, staffing and management/financial transparency. Across many comments reviewers emphasize that Lombard Place is a bright, modern and well-appointed community with hotel-like decor, updated finishes, and a variety of comfortable common spaces (library, bistro, atrium, salon). Multiple reviewers highlighted the appeal of in-unit amenities (washer/dryer, kitchen/microwave, per-room climate control), mobility-friendly bathrooms, and several apartment layouts including studios and one- and two-bedrooms with large porches. Many families reported that residents became more engaged and happier after moving in, citing increased socialization and better overall mood.
Staff and direct caregiving receive considerable praise from many reviewers: words like compassionate, attentive, and loving recur frequently. Multiple families said frontline caregivers, CNAs, and certain nurses went above and beyond, knew residents by name, and facilitated smooth transitions. The activity staff are especially singled out as first-rate — the program is described as busy and creative with music performances, games, art projects, book and gardening clubs, trips, worship services, therapy-based exercise, and social events such as happy hour. Several reviewers specifically credited onsite physical therapy with improvements in strength and balance. Memory care also has many strong endorsements: several families described exemplary, respectful dementia care, good staffing continuity on that unit, and successful transitions to memory care.
However, a notable and recurring cluster of concerns centers on care consistency, medication management, and staffing. Multiple reports describe missed or late medications, medication errors, and uneven attention from clinical staff. Some reviewers reported positive nursing presence (even 24/7 nurse on duty), while others described the opposite — understaffing, management turnover, and inconsistent caregiver assignments leading to lapses in care. At least one detailed complaint recounts severe neglect culminating in a serious gastrointestinal incident, hospitalization and sepsis risk, and subsequent removal from memory care; this highlights that while many families are very satisfied, some have experienced dangerous failures in clinical oversight. Prospective families should verify medication administration processes, staffing ratios, and escalation procedures before committing.
Dining and culinary quality are another mixed area with more negative than positive comments. A number of reviews praise the dining atmosphere, generous portions and some appealing menu options (three-entree choices were noted), but many more call out poor food quality: processed or canned vegetables, repetitive or unappealing meals (hot dogs, hamburgers, overly frequent bacon), undercooked items, small or boring portions, and limited healthy choices. Several reviewers stated the kitchen was poorly managed or short-staffed, and that meal hours or service schedules were inconvenient (examples include early wake-up times for breakfast or bistro areas closed due to COVID). Given repeated and specific criticisms, dining appears to be an area the community struggles with consistency and culinary standards.
Management, contracts, and billing emerge as a third major theme with substantial negative feedback. Multiple reviewers reference a long, strict contract (one mentions a 100-page contract), opaque or retroactive pricing increases, and confusing billing practices. There are specific instances of retained community fees (one reviewer reported $3,000 kept after a short stay) and disputes over refundable deposits (a refundable deposit of $2,400 was mentioned). Other complaints include bait-and-switch tactics, misrepresented services (false transportation or skill-level claims), and difficulty reaching corporate or obtaining satisfactory responses. Several families described abrupt discharges or denials of readmission after hospital transfers. These financial and administrative red flags are significant: they affect trust and the practical security families need when placing a loved one in assisted living or memory care.
Cleanliness and maintenance are generally praised — many reviewers called the building spotless, well-kept and attractive — but there are isolated reports of housekeeping lapses (soiled beds, unclean toilets, sticky floors) and missing personal property. Accessibility issues were noted by a handful of reviewers as well (plush, heavy carpet potentially impeding mobility devices; concerns about elevator/fire safety for long-term first-floor needs). Noise from a busy street was mentioned as a nuisance in some sitting areas.
Memory care deserves a concluding, focused note because reviews are polarized. Numerous families commend the memory care team as exceptional, patient, and highly effective, describing improved resident alertness, happiness, and dignity. At the same time, multiple critical accounts describe neglected residents, ignored complaints, clinical mismanagement, or abrupt removals from memory care. This divergence suggests variability either over time (staffing or management changes) or between different shifts/teams. Families considering memory care should request detailed references, inquire about staff training and turnover rates, and review incident response protocols.
In summary: Lombard Place is frequently described as a beautiful, modern, activity-rich community with many compassionate direct-care staff and an environment that makes residents feel at home. That strength is counterbalanced by recurring concerns about inconsistent clinical care and medication administration, dining quality, staffing levels/turnover, and troubling management/contractual practices (hidden fees, rate increases, withheld refunds or abrupt discharges). Prospective residents and families who value a new facility, active programming, and a strong social environment may find Lombard Place preferable — but they should conduct careful due diligence. Recommended pre-move questions include: current staffing ratios and turnover statistics, medication administration and pharmacy protocols, sample menus and lunch/dinner/meal service hours, contract cancellation/refund and fee policies (including community fee and deposit scenarios), documentation of nurse coverage, memory care staffing and training details, and references from recent families. Asking for written assurances on billing adjustments, staffing commitments, and clinical escalation procedures will help mitigate the most serious patterns noted in these reviews.
