Overall sentiment across the reviews for Cherrywood Advanced Living - Big Lake is mixed, with consistent praise for many front-line staff and the physical environment, but strong concerns about management, staffing levels, and consistency of care. Several reviewers emphasize that caregivers are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable; multiple comments describe the staff as excellent and caring, contributing to a welcoming, home-like atmosphere. The facility itself receives positive remarks for cleanliness, a pleasant layout, and attractive outdoor grounds — a park-like setting with trees, birds, and a stream — which some families and residents appreciate. Amenities cited positively include private bathrooms in larger rooms, in-room refrigerators, a landline phone option, and an on-site barbershop. A few reviewers also note structured activities such as twice-daily exercise and afternoon activities, which contribute to engagement for some residents.
However, there are recurring and significant concerns about care consistency and management. Multiple reviews point to staffing shortages that leave staff overworked and unavailable at times, which reviewers link to a reduced level of care. Some families reported admission misrepresentation and difficulties with management, including a lack of a full-time nursing manager and what they describe as difficult or unclear leadership. Communication problems appear frequently: reviewers mention horrible communication, unclear or unhelpful desk staff, strict visiting hours, and at least one instance where a family member could not visit their relative despite traveling a long distance. These operational and communication issues combine to create frustration and distrust for some families.
Several reviewers note policy and care-mix concerns. Specifically, the presence of memory care residents mixed with the general population and a locked-in policy were called out as problematic, particularly for residents who are more active or who require different levels of supervision. These policy and placement issues contributed to statements that the facility is not suitable for active residents or that families would not recommend Cherrywood locations. Ownership and financial motives are mentioned as perceived priorities over resident care by some reviewers, amplifying concerns about staffing and resource allocation.
Dining and activities show variability in experience. While some reviewers reported good food and enjoyable activities, others described meals as minimal and not nutritious and said there were no activities most of the time. This inconsistency suggests that day-to-day resident experience may vary by shift, staffing levels, or specific unit. Room size also varies by unit or building: some reviewers describe very spacious rooms with private baths and ample storage, while others note small rooms with no kitchenette. That inconsistency can affect satisfaction depending on which unit a resident occupies.
In summary, prospective residents and families can expect a clean, attractive, small-facility environment with many caring and friendly staff members and some useful amenities. At the same time, they should be aware of recurring complaints about staffing shortages, management and communication problems, inconsistent meal quality and activities, policies around memory care placement and resident movement, and potential mismatch between admission promises and actual conditions. Those factors have led some reviewers to refrain from recommending Cherrywood locations, while others remain pleased with the staff and parts of the facility. Visitors should ask specific questions about staffing levels, nursing management, activity schedules, dining menus, visitation policies, and resident placement to assess whether this location will meet their or their family member's needs.
