Overall sentiment across the reviews for Ridgeland Place is mixed but leans toward generally positive experiences with important caveats. A large number of reviewers praise the warmth and compassion of direct-care staff and activity leaders, noting that many employees ‘‘go above and beyond.’’ The activities program receives frequent positive mention: residents enjoy a variety of social events (bingo, wine socials, ice cream socials), devotional services, frequent outings and transportation to medical appointments. Many families cite peace of mind, friendliness, and that their loved ones have made friends and settled in well. Facility features repeatedly praised include clean common areas, porches and courtyards, a home-like living room with a fireplace, accessible walking paths and outdoor gardens. Multiple reviewers also point out specific strengths such as weekly laundry and housekeeping, three meals a day, helpful nursing/physical therapy in some cases, memory-care options (including private memory-care rooms), and that the community can be a good value for certain budget levels.
However, there are consistent and significant concerns that appear across many reviews. Staffing levels and consistency are the most commonly cited problems: under-staffing, especially on nights, weekends and holidays, leads to delayed responses, reduced engagement with residents, and variable care quality. Several reviews describe high turnover in management and nursing, which contributes to uneven service and communication difficulties. Medication handling problems are highlighted in multiple comments, including missed doses and the need for families to remind staff about medications. Safety and protocol issues are also raised — examples include reports of staff not following glove or identification protocols, falls that family members were not told about, items reported stolen, and in rare but serious instances, threats from an employee and instances of poor hygiene (reports of feces in bathroom fixtures). These are described as isolated by some reviewers but are serious enough to affect trust for others.
Dining and housekeeping elicit mixed reactions. Many reviewers enjoy the meals and report adequate portions and variety, while others describe poor, unappetizing food, tiny portions, or unhealthy choices at certain hours. Housekeeping is often praised as ‘‘very clean’’ or ‘‘spotless,’’ but there are notable exceptions describing sticky floors, urine odor, dirty chair arms, and rooms or dining areas needing better cleaning. Maintenance and facility condition are similar in that some reviewers find the building well-kept and attractive while others see areas in need of renovation: scuffed doors, tarnished brass, small/tiny elevator, and indications that cosmetic upkeep is inconsistent.
Communication and management issues are another recurring theme. Several families want more consistent, daily communication and a family newsletter; others have experienced billing issues, unclear extra charges, and rent increases with little help finding affordable options. The transition from former management to new (Brookdale) and a new director has been reported as a source of instability by some but promising by others who see post-COVID improvements and more reliable services. Reviews reflect a split: some administrators and directors are singled out for being responsive, personable, and hands-on, while other accounts describe administration as money-focused, unresponsive, or not following up on complaints.
Memory care and accommodations produce specific, actionable feedback. The memory-care program and activities are cited positively in multiple reviews, though there is a repeated complaint about the layout of some double rooms where bathroom access creates conflict — families report that a waiting list for a single memory-care room is preferable. Room sizes and layouts vary: some residents have praised spacious two-room suites and courtyard views, while others find studio rooms small or oddly configured. Accessibility issues — such as long waits at the bell-entry for memory care and only one small elevator — have practical implications for daily life and visitor access.
Patterns and recommendations for prospective families: the strongest, most consistent positives are the compassion and dedication of many direct-care staff and an active activities program that supports resident engagement. The most concerning and frequent negatives are understaffing, inconsistent clinical and medication practices, communication gaps (particularly on weekends/after-hours), and management/maintenance inconsistencies. Given the mix of strong praise and serious concerns, families touring Ridgeland Place should: (1) ask about staffing ratios and weekend/night coverage; (2) request specific policies and recent records on medication administration errors and incident reporting; (3) tour memory-care rooms to evaluate bathroom layout and privacy; (4) clarify billing, extra fees, and policies on rent increases and deposits; (5) evaluate food by arranging a meal visit; and (6) speak to current families about recent post-COVID changes and the impact of recent management turnover. Many reviewers report that recent leadership changes and active activity staff have driven improvements, so monitoring ongoing administrative stability is also advisable.
In summary, Ridgeland Place offers a warm, activity-rich environment with many compassionate staff members and features that families and residents appreciate (clean common areas, transportation, social programming, and memory-care options). At the same time, recurring operational problems — especially around staffing consistency, medication handling, communication, and some maintenance/cleanliness lapses — are significant and have led to serious isolated incidents in a minority of reports. The facility can be an excellent fit when staff stability and management responsiveness are strong; prospective residents and families should investigate the specific concerns above during a visit and seek recent references to assess whether improvements are sustained.
