Overall sentiment: The reviews for Avista Senior Living Sumner (Franklin Place) are predominantly positive, with repeated praise for the staff, cleanliness, and small, home-like environment. Many reviewers describe the staff as friendly, compassionate, attentive, and family-like; staff are consistently credited with personalized attention, quick communication, and genuine concern for residents’ welfare. Multiple accounts highlight improved health and emotional well-being after moving in, with families expressing trust and peace of mind. The community’s small size (around 48 apartments), single-story and circular layout, and a large central courtyard contribute to an easy-to-navigate, cozy atmosphere that many residents and families find comforting and non-institutional.
Care quality and staffing: Most reviewers report dependable caregiving and proactive nursing, with routine updates and staff who go the extra mile. Management is frequently described as helpful and responsive in resolving concerns, coordinating moves, and answering questions. That said, there are notable reports of variability: some reviewers describe understaffing, inconsistent staffing across shifts (weekday shifts better than some weekend/night shifts), and occasional turnover. A minority of reviews raise serious concerns about management and staff behavior — including accusations of unresponsiveness or rudeness and one report alleging a refusal to call 911. These negative reports are important but appear less common than positive ones; they do indicate inconsistency in performance and occasional lapses in communication or care.
Facilities and accommodations: The physical plant is often praised for being clean, bright in areas, and easy to navigate due to its single-level design. Many residents appreciate the spacious studio options that include a small kitchen or kitchenette, walk-in showers, microwaves, and in-room refrigerators. The courtyard, garden areas, bird feeders, and BBQ space are repeatedly cited as valued amenities that support socialization and outdoor time. However, reviewers also note the building is older in places and undergoing remodeling (partly due to COVID-related updates), causing temporary disruptions for some residents. Landscaping and parking dynamics are mentioned as areas that could use improvement. Room sizes vary and some find studios quite small (reports of ~300 sq ft), which may not suit those needing more living space.
Dining and food: Dining receives mixed but generally favorable comments. Many reviewers call meals homestyle, nutritious, and tasty, and appreciate multiple meal options and the ability to accommodate dietary requests when possible. Several long-term residents and families praise the dining experience and say it contributes positively to health. Conversely, there are recurring criticisms: some reviewers find meals inconsistent, too salty, bland at times, or initially poor before improvement. Food quality appears to have improved over time in a few accounts. A few specific dietary needs (e.g., strict gluten-free) are reported as not fully accommodated.
Activities, social life and services: Activity programming is a clear strength. Reviewers list bingo, dominoes, card and board games, arts and crafts, gardening, baking, puzzles, computer stations, exercise classes, and in-house events. The small community encourages participation and social interaction, which many residents enjoy and credit with increased happiness and regained sociability. Some reviewers, however, note fewer off-site outings and limited activities for certain resident demographics; participation can depend on staffing and resident interest. Transportation to doctor appointments is offered and appreciated, though some mention grocery-store transportation was delayed during COVID. On-site laundry, daily housekeeping, and supportive maintenance are frequently mentioned as practical conveniences.
Management, costs and transparency: Many reviewers commend management for being communicative and supportive during transitions and for helping with financial/placement coordination. Others, though fewer, report management as disorganized, with outdated records, incorrect phone numbers, or variable follow-through. Cost is a mixed theme: entry costs are described as low or reasonable by several reviewers, and some felt the facility offered good value compared to competitors. Yet others warn that costs can rise quickly due to a points-based care system, and that advertised pricing may not include all levels of care, creating the impression of opaque or escalating fees.
Safety, specialized care, and limitations: Reviewer feedback indicates the facility can provide assisted living through end-of-life care and that safety protocols (including PPE use during COVID and controlled family visits) were in place and appreciated. However, several reviewers caution that memory-care needs for advanced dementia may exceed what the community can consistently provide; one reviewer explicitly stated it was not adequate for severe memory impairment. Odor control related to incontinence was raised as an occasional issue. The negative report alleging that staff refused to call emergency services is an outlier but serious and highlights the importance of confirming emergency procedures and staff training directly with management.
Patterns and recommendations: The strongest and most repeated positives are staff compassion, a clean and homey environment, robust activity programming, and helpful transition support. The main patterns of concern are variability — in meals, staff friendliness and performance across shifts, and transparency in pricing — and limitations associated with an older, smaller building being remodeled. Prospective residents and families should tour the community multiple times, meet staff across different shifts, ask detailed questions about pricing and the points/care system, verify emergency protocols, and assess whether the physical apartment size and memory-care capabilities meet their long-term needs. Overall, most reviewers recommend Avista Senior Living Sumner for those seeking a small, caring, affordable assisted living community with strong staff-resident relationships, while noting a few operational and facility updates that would improve consistency and resident experience.
