Overall sentiment in the reviews of Brookdale Findlay is mixed but leans strongly positive in aggregate, with many reviewers praising the staff, activities and dining while a minority report severe problems related to staffing, management and safety. The dominant themes among positive reviews are consistent: compassionate caregiving by nurses and aides, a highly praised Activities Director and program, good meals (including garden/farm-to-table references), and a clean, comfortable facility that feels like a small, family-like community. Multiple reviewers specifically named staff members (for example Beth, Alyssa and Deb) and described staff as going above and beyond, responding promptly to call buttons, and providing individualized attention that made residents feel known and cared for.
Care quality receives frequent positive remarks: reviewers cite highly trained nurses, attentive aides, effective dementia reminders, proactive family communication, and instances where residents improved mobility or quality of life after moving in. Laundry and daily living assistance, hospice support and strong COVID precautions were also noted as contributing to family peace of mind. However, the reviews also reveal variance in care experiences. Several strongly negative reviews describe understaffing, missed care (residents left in soiled clothing or sitting in their own mess), unexplained weight loss, and even health department complaints. These reports suggest that while many residents receive attentive care, a subset experienced lapses severe enough to cause hospitalizations or serious family distress.
Staffing, culture and management are recurring, polarizing themes. On the positive side, many reviewers praise approachable leadership (including the Executive Director), clear and frequent family communication, and helpful admissions/tour staff. The Activities Director is repeatedly singled out for creativity and personalized programming. Conversely, multiple reviews accuse management of unprofessional behavior, hostile interactions with families, withholding belongings, inconsistent explanations, and in at least one case, alleged failure to comply with guardianship terms. There are also mentions of employee mistreatment and morale issues. This dichotomy points to inconsistent leadership experiences — some families feel supported and informed, while others report confrontational or opaque management interactions.
Facilities and dining are another area with mostly favorable commentary but some critiques. Many reviews describe Brookdale Findlay as clean, renovated or well-kept, odor-free, and comfortable, with a pleasant courtyard/garden used for activities and fresh-ingredient meals. Meals are often described as home-cooked, balanced, plentiful and accommodating of special requests, with some reviewers praising a chef and holiday meals. Nonetheless, there are complaints about limited meal variety, wish for healthier snacks, occasional concerns about food quality, and practical facility drawbacks such as small apartment sizes and lack of central air in some units. A few reviewers said the building felt dated or under-maintained despite other positive cleanliness comments — again indicating inconsistency across units or time periods.
Activities and social life are among Brookdale Findlay’s strongest and most consistent positives. Numerous reviewers emphasize an active calendar with crafts, bingo, music, exercise programs, planned and spontaneous outings (some families cite several road trips per month), social dining, and pet-friendly policies. The Activities Director receives repeated, enthusiastic praise for tailoring programming, engaging residents (including those with dementia), and creating opportunities for community and friendship. This area appears to be reliably strong and a major contributor to resident satisfaction.
Costs, policies and operational details generate mixed feedback. Several families appreciated assistance from staff with billing or financial aid options, but others reported sudden price increases shortly after move-in, a guarantor requirement that was burdensome for some, and disputes over billing. Pharmacy and medication issues appeared in a few reviews (for example, an unfilled maintenance prescription for several days), and there were isolated reports of laundry or meal accommodations not being provided as expected. Prospective families should review contract terms carefully and ask about recent rate history, guarantor requirements, and pharmacy/medication processes.
Safety and serious incident reporting are important concerns raised by a minority of reviewers. While many reviewers explicitly stated that falls were not the staff’s fault and praised fall prevention efforts, others reported serious incidents: falls (one described as near-fatal), pneumonia hospitalizations, and allegations of regulatory or health department complaints. These reports, combined with notes about chronic understaffing from some reviewers, indicate potential risk for residents with higher acuity needs. Several reviewers recommended Brookdale Findlay for residents who do not require a high level of medical care; others explicitly stated it was appropriate for dementia-focused assisted living with active programming.
In summary, Brookdale Findlay receives broad praise for compassionate frontline staff, an exceptional activities program, good meals, and a clean, small-community atmosphere that many families found ideal. At the same time, recurring negative reports about understaffing, inconsistent management behavior, maintenance and safety lapses, and administrative/billing concerns introduce significant caveats. The reviews reveal substantial variability in resident experience: many families report excellent, family-like care, while a smaller number report serious problems that warrant careful inquiry. Prospective residents and families should prioritize an in-person tour, ask specific questions about staffing levels and recent health inspections, verify medication and pharmacy processes, review contract terms (including guarantor and fee increase policies), and speak with current family members or residents about consistency of care across shifts before making a decision.
