The reviews for Ivy Cottage present a mixed but informative picture. On the positive side, multiple reviewers emphasize strong cleanliness and housekeeping, an active calendar of activities, and staff who are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Several reviewers explicitly describe their experience as wonderful or excellent, note that residents are well cared for and safe, and say they would recommend the community. New residents in particular have reported very good care and a welcoming atmosphere. These strengths suggest Ivy Cottage has solid day-to-day maintenance, meaningful programming for residents, and many staff members who connect well with families and new residents.
However, there are significant concerns raised by other reviewers that temper the positive comments. Medication management problems are described explicitly by at least one reviewer, and there is a reported serious safety lapse in which a resident was left outside. Multiple reviewers note staffing instability and the presence of new or transient staff, and others describe a lack of visible staff on the floor and being left waiting in the lobby for scheduled appointments. Some reviewers called staff unprofessional and described appointment scheduling or reception issues. These operational and safety-related criticisms point to inconsistent care delivery and potential weaknesses in staff training, supervision, or scheduling.
Facility atmosphere and environment appear to be another polarized area. While cleanliness is repeatedly praised, several reviewers noted a dark, dreary interior with residents seen huddled by the front door, which may indicate lighting, layout, or common-space usage issues that affect ambiance and resident comfort. The contrast between being clean and feeling dreary suggests that while housekeeping and physical upkeep are strong, aesthetic or environmental factors (lighting, décor, common-area arrangement) are detracting from a bright, welcoming feel.
Other practical concerns include cost and location: one reviewer mentioned price as a factor and preferred a different geographic area (Ann Arbor). There is an overall pattern of inconsistent experiences — some families strongly recommend Ivy Cottage and report excellent care, while others report troubling lapses and poor interactions. That inconsistency is a key theme: positive reports focus on staff warmth, activities, and cleanliness, while negative reports emphasize safety, medication, staff reliability, and reception/appointment handling.
For prospective residents and families, the reviews suggest important questions to ask during a visit: inquire specifically about medication administration protocols and recent incident/complaint history; ask about staff turnover, staff tenure, and nurse/medication aide coverage; observe staffing visibility in common areas and during high-traffic times; request to see activity schedules and sample daily routines; evaluate common-area lighting and ambiance firsthand; and get clarity on pricing, additional fees, and any contract terms. Finally, because experiences vary, consider speaking with current residents and families and, if possible, observe during different times of day to form a balanced view.
In summary, Ivy Cottage shows clear strengths in cleanliness, programming, and warm interactions reported by many reviewers, but also registers concerning reports around medication handling, safety lapses, staffing instability, and a dim or dreary atmosphere. The overall impression is one of a community that can deliver very good care and a positive resident experience, but where operational inconsistencies have led to serious negative incidents for some families. A careful, targeted on-site evaluation focused on the specific issues raised in these reviews is advisable before making a placement decision.
