Overall sentiment: The reviews for Brookdale Edmond Danforth are predominantly positive with repeated praise for the staff, dining, and community atmosphere, but there are meaningful and occasionally severe negative reports that potential residents and families should investigate further. Most reviewers highlight compassionate caregiving, good medical coordination, and a homelike environment. At the same time, multiple reviews cite understaffing, billing disputes, and a handful of alarming incidents involving slow responses and poor personal care that make consistency and oversight important concerns.
Care quality and staff: A major, recurring theme is the strength of the caregiving team. Many reviewers describe staff as caring, friendly, and knowledgeable; several specific staff members and nurses are singled out by name for exceptional care. Families frequently report good medical coordination, proactive communication with doctors, quick hospital transfers when necessary, and a nurse-on-call/weekly-doctor model that provides clinical oversight. Personalization and family-style relationships are emphasized: staff often take time to learn preferences, dietary needs, and individual personalities, and this contributes to residents feeling known and comfortable. However, there are multiple reports of understaffing and long waits for assistance, variable performance among temporary or agency staff, and at least a few cases where staff response was slow or dismissive. These inconsistencies range from frustrating (missed housekeeping, delayed help) to grave (slow response to a resident in distress and a reported fall followed by a stroke).
Facilities and apartments: The facility is described as clean, well-maintained, and tastefully decorated with pleasant communal spaces (courtyard, solarium, patio, family and TV rooms). Apartment features were praised by some reviewers — a 350 sq ft layout with a walk-in shower, kitchenette with sink, microwave and mini-fridge was specifically noted — though many reviews also point out that studio rooms can be small and walker mobility might be challenged in tighter layouts. The community size is described as comfortable and intimate by many, though a few people noted concerns such as elevator access for upper floors and proximity to train tracks or a high school (potential noise). A handful of repair/equipment issues were reported (e.g., a refrigerator failing to keep temperature and replacement not fitting), suggesting occasional maintenance or procurement hiccups.
Dining and activities: Dining receives consistently high marks across reviews; residents and families rave about the food (award-winning meals, special mentions like tender roast beef and popular desserts), and many residents look forward to mealtimes. The activity program is also a clear strength — reviewers list a wide array of offerings including exercise classes, bingo, painting, nail services, church services, animal visits, live entertainment, museum and aquarium outings, bus trips, and themed social events (wine tastings, dominoes, cards). The activities director is frequently praised for engagement and personalization. Some reviewers asked for even more activities, but overall participation and programming are highlighted as important positives.
Management, communication, and administration: Many families praise responsive, accessible management and clear communication — administrators are reported to give frequent updates and to resolve issues quickly. Several reviewers praised long-tenured directors and a welcoming office that met families’ needs. Conversely, multiple reviews express distrust of leadership around financial practices: allegations include extra charges, price gouging, arbitrary director rules, and even charging after a loved one’s death. Some reviewers reported problems with visitor access systems and telephone communication during the inquiry process. There is a mixed picture: strong relationship-based management for many residents, but occasional perceived lapses in trustworthiness and transparency for others.
Safety, incidents and consistency concerns: The majority of reviews emphasize safety and proactive clinical attention, but the presence of serious negative incidents cannot be ignored. A few reviewers reported dangerous lapses — delayed emergency response, a resident left in soiled clothing, and a severe fall/stroke — and at least one report of COVID transmission from staff. These instances appear as outliers in a body of largely positive comments but are severe enough that families should ask direct questions about protocols, staffing ratios, emergency response times, infection control, and incident reporting. In addition, issues such as inconsistent housekeeping and variability in staff competence (especially with temporary staff) are common enough to warrant checking daily operations during a visit.
Pricing and value: Opinions on cost vary. Several reviewers state the community was reasonably priced or within budget and praise billing accuracy, while others allege overcharging, extra fees for medications or bathing, and exploitative pricing for skilled nursing. Given the mixed feedback, families should request detailed written cost breakdowns, ask about 'a la carte' charges, and clarify how billing is handled if a resident’s care needs change or in the event of death.
Who this suits and final recommendation: Brookdale Edmond Danforth appears to be a strong choice for families seeking a warm, community-oriented assisted living environment with robust dining, engaging activities, and many compassionate caregivers and managers. The most consistent strengths are interpersonal — staff warmth, personalized attention, and good clinical coordination for many residents. However, potential residents should tour the community, observe mealtimes and activities, ask for staffing ratios and emergency response protocols, inspect an intended apartment for size and accessibility, and review the fee schedule and past inspection reports. Because there are documented lapses in housekeeping, staffing consistency, and a few serious care incidents, prospective residents and families should verify current staffing stability and financial transparency during their selection process.
Bottom line: The dominant pattern is positive — excellent food, an active programs calendar, and many caring staff members create a supportive, homey environment that families often recommend. But variability in staffing, housekeeping, billing practices, and isolated but serious care failures suggest due diligence is required: ask specific operational and financial questions during tours, and consider direct observation and references to ensure the community meets your expectations and safety needs.
