Riva Terrace 5

    1232 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, MD, 21012
    3.0 · 4 reviews
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    3.0

    Quiet home, caring staff, limited

    I visit my dad at a small, single-level, nicely maintained home with good-sized rooms and excellent, attentive medical staff who genuinely make residents feel cared for. That said, it's not a friendly or lively place - very quiet with limited activities and uncomfortable visits. The meals are healthy but bland, I couldn't reliably reach Dad by phone, and a language barrier with some staff made communication hard. Best for someone who needs little one-on-one care; not for families wanting social life or extra amenities like a pool or religious services.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    3.00 · 4 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      5.0
    • Staff

      5.0
    • Meals

      3.0
    • Amenities

      2.5
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Attentive, problem-solving staff
    • Residents feel cared for
    • Good medical services and relationships
    • Healthy meals that increased appetite for some residents
    • Small, single-level group home
    • Nicely maintained facility
    • Generous room size
    • Quiet environment suitable for low-care residents

    Cons

    • Very limited or no activities
    • Unfriendly atmosphere or uncomfortable visiting experience
    • Food reported as bland or lacking flavor by some
    • Difficulty reaching residents by phone
    • Language barrier between staff and some families/residents
    • No pool or on-site religious services
    • Too quiet and not lively; lacks social interaction

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment for Riva Terrace 5 is mixed, with clear strengths in hands-on care, medical coordination, and a calm, well-maintained physical environment, balanced against notable shortcomings in social programming, communication, and some aspects of dining and visitor experience.

    Care and staff: Multiple reviewers emphasized that direct care staff are attentive, capable of problem solving, and make residents feel cared for. The facility appears to have solid relationships with medical providers and offers the medical attention families expect. These strengths make Riva Terrace 5 a good fit for residents who need reliable supervision and basic care rather than intensive one-on-one therapy or highly active programming.

    Facilities and living environment: Reviewers consistently describe the home as a small, single-level group home that is nicely maintained. Room size is described positively, and the overall environment is quiet. For families or residents seeking a calm, low-stimulation setting—particularly those who need minimal one-on-one attention—the facility's small scale and quiet atmosphere are advantages.

    Dining: Reports about meals are mixed. Some reviews praise the meals as healthy and note that certain residents showed an increased appetite, suggesting that food meets nutritional needs for some. However, other reviewers found the food lacking in flavor. This split indicates variability in dining satisfaction; while the menu may be nutritious and appropriate, seasoning or palatability may not meet all tastes.

    Activities and social life: A consistent and significant concern is the lack of activities and limited social interaction. Several reviewers explicitly state that there were few or no activities, calling the place "not lively" or "too quiet." This points to a gap in programming for residents who need or want more structured social engagement, recreational activities, or communal events. Multiple reviewers felt the community would benefit from increased opportunities for socialization.

    Communication and visitor experience: Some families reported difficulty reaching residents by phone, and at least one review cited a language barrier between staff and family members. There are also comments about the facility not feeling friendly and visits being uncomfortable for some. These reports suggest inconsistent communication practices and potential cultural or language mismatches that affect family experience. Such issues can undermine otherwise strong clinical care if families feel disconnected or unable to communicate effectively with staff.

    Other amenities and services: Reviewers noted the absence of certain amenities such as a pool and on-site religious services. While not all residents require these offerings, their absence is relevant for prospective residents or families who prioritize aquatic therapy, recreation, or regular faith-based programming.

    Patterns and implications: The dominant pattern is a trade-off between competent, attentive clinical care in a calm, well-kept small-home setting and a shortfall in social programming, visitor friendliness, and some communication/dining elements. Riva Terrace 5 appears particularly suited to residents who value quiet, steady care and a small household feel. Families seeking an active, socially vibrant community or robust communications/visitor experience may find the facility lacking. Addressing activity programming, improving communication channels (including phone access and language support), and refining meal palatability could help resolve the primary concerns raised across reviews.

    Conclusion: In summary, Riva Terrace 5 offers dependable, caring staff, good medical connections, and a pleasant physical environment that favors low-key living. However, recurring negatives around limited activities, inconsistent visitor/communication experiences, language barriers, and mixed feedback on food quality are important considerations for prospective residents and families. Matching resident needs and expectations to the facility's strengths and weaknesses will be essential when evaluating Riva Terrace 5 as a placement option.

    Location

    Map showing location of Riva Terrace 5

    About Riva Terrace 5

    Riva Terrace 5 sits in Arnold, MD and offers a quiet home-like setting for seniors who need help with daily living. The care staff at Riva Terrace 5 provide support with activities like bathing, dressing, and taking medicine, and the place runs with 24-hour supervision every day of the week, so residents can get help any time they need. There's care for folks who need higher levels of medical attention, including high acuity and diabetic care, and the trained staff can help with non-ambulatory needs, incontinence care, and even memory care if someone has Alzheimer's or dementia. They use a WanderGuard safety system and have a Hoyer lift for transfers, so even residents with serious needs have tools in place to keep them safe and comfortable.

    Private rooms at Riva Terrace 5 come furnished and each has a private bathroom, plus telephone connections, so folks can keep in touch with family, and there are photos of the rooms for families to see what's there. Some staff speak Spanish and Filipino, which helps with communication, and the home welcomes pets, so residents don't have to leave their furry friends behind. Meals are cooked fresh and offer choices, with restaurant-style service in the dining room, all-day dining options, and special diets for allergies or diabetes. Housekeeping, laundry, and dry cleaning are available, making sure clothes and rooms stay clean, and the home sets up move-in services to help new residents settle in.

    Community areas have walking paths, a garden, and indoor gathering rooms, and folks take part in movie nights, stay-fit classes, and scheduled social activities, so there's always something to do with neighbors if someone likes to stay busy or socialize. The swimming pool is there for anyone who wants to take a dip, and the on-site barber and beautician can help residents feel their best. For transportation, there are services and parking to help with getting out for errands or appointments. The home uses emergency alert systems and monitors medication, and they help with everything from insulin shots to reminders about medicine times. The staff can handle behavior issues that sometimes come up with dementia, and the facility has relationships with medical services if residents need extra support. Hospice and respite care are available for those needing short stays or special end-of-life care. The overall goal at Riva Terrace 5 is to help residents keep their independence as much as they can, and the staff focus on kindness and understanding, making it feel like a true home for everyone who lives there.

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