THE BRIDGES AT ANKENY

*This review reflects my family’s experience in late 2024. I had shared this previously, but it no longer appears on the page, so I am reposting it here. I agree with many of the other low-star reviews. I am not one to only leave reviews when I’m upset - I’ve left many positive reviews for other businesses. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to revisit this experience, but I think it’s important for families to know what we went through. A close family member was transferred here for end-of-life care so he could be near us. It was our only option due to being from out of town. He was at the facility for only three days before he passed, and unfortunately the experience still weighs heavily on me. From the first day, communication was almost nonexistent. No one reached out to gather any background information, and when we tried to speak with nursing staff, we were often met with dismissive responses. Staff later claimed they “didn’t know him well,” which was used to explain several issues, despite us being with him every day. During his short stay, we witnessed repeated concerns about responsiveness, basic comfort measures, and overall respect. At one point I found myself providing nearly all of his care for several hours because no one was available, even though he clearly needed support. We also experienced moments where staff seemed impatient or unprofessional during times he was scared or confused. Simple requests for comfort items were brushed off or redirected instead of handled appropriately. Low staffing or high workload does not excuse treating vulnerable people without compassion. I’ve worked in high-pressure medical environments myself, so I understand the challenges — but I also know what appropriate care looks like, even when things are busy. The hospice team we chose was wonderful, and I’m grateful for them. I did share my concerns with the facility’s social worker, who responded kindly and professionally, but the systemic issues were far bigger than any one staff member could fix. I wish our family could have focused entirely on saying goodbye instead of constantly advocating for basic care. I hope the facility takes these concerns seriously for future families.

I know people tend to write reviews when they feel they have been treated wrongly or are angry about something. That is not the case here. The staff was kind, caring, knowledgeable. They were friendly and cared about the residents. The therapy department is top-notch. They encourage you to do your best and applaud your successes. The puppies are an added bonus. The problem is the management of the facility. They are understaffed with one CNA per wing to care for 10 to 20 people. There is often a “ floater” for two wings. That is not adequate. Call buttons are not answered promptly. The information states that call lights are answered in 5 to 10 minutes. That is a lie. It takes 30 minutes if not longer. That happens because there is not enough staff. The lights they are installing above the door to each room is not going to take care of this problem. They will still be understaffed. An inspection report dated February 20, 2025, sited this facility as failing to “provide enough nursing staff to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.” This was also stated in a report dated September 24, 2024. When your priority is showing a profit, resident’s welfare is at risk. The food is AWFUL! They claim the meals are chef-planned. No chef I know would serve such crap. Meals are not served at the listed times, usually an hour or more late. Most are not served at the correct temperature which is a health code violation. Their information states that “dietician services include diabetic management. That is another lie! Meals are all high in carbohydrates and low in protein. It is a shame that management’s top priority is making a profit. There is nothing wrong with that unless sacrifices are made in the resident’s care to do so. Employees should not be blamed for staffing inadequacies which they do not cause. They should not have to apologize for poor management. The care and wellbeing of residents should not have to suffer because of poor management.

Absolutely the worst management I have ever experienced in a care facility. No one smiles or says hello to you- the employees are struggling to provide residents care while all 3 nurses in management are in their offices all day except to take several cigarette breaks or food breaks. The Call lights took so long to be addressed sometimes it’s an hour or more wait. I heard the nursing managers talking badly about their own employees using profanity and laughing about them as I waited to speak with the DON outside her office and that was awful to hear. The corporation lets them run their own employees out by treating them badly - this happened to a friend of mine. Also one of their aides told me that they have lost half their team because they make them miserable and pile on duties that they make mistakes bc it’s too much then they get fired for really no legit reason- so sad. My loved one was miserable there and I was constantly having to find someone to answer her light and that’s while I was there - so it’s scary to think how long she waits when I was not there. I have a few friends that have worked there or still work there and they say it’s only getting worse. I think the corporation hired ups need to really look into who is managing the facility and bring in positive and kind people for their positions because they shouldn’t even be in healthcare. I do not recommend to anyone looking for a care facility. A beautiful building can be deceiving because with a poor team, Executive Directors, Nursing Directors and assistant nurses in charge a beautiful building doesn’t equal good care for anyone’s mom or dad.

The morning, afternoon and evening staff are kind, caring, and compassionate. However, the 12am to 6am nurses are the worst I have ever encountered in all of my hospital and rehabilitation stays. I was born with twisted bones, played sports and had a normal life with pain. In 2008 I could not walk. The wonderful surgeons at Illinois Bone & Joint rebuilt my feet and replaced my knees with artificial knees which are perfect. Now the spine is under the knife. I have been at The Bridges in Ankeny for two weeks now after spine surgery which didn’t go as well as expected so I have a lot of pain. Every night around 2 or 3 am, I ask for my breakout pain medicine. Every night the nurse doesn’t know how to read the chart, will only give me Tylenol when there are orders for two breakout pain meds. I get behind in the pain control, at 6am the day nurses show up, they know how to read the chart. The pain is intense and it takes until around 4pm to get the pain under control, then the cycle begins again. I would love to check the licenses of these night nurses who don’t know how to access the instructions in the electronic chart. In short, I wouldn’t bring my deceased cat here! I will be filing a complaint with Medicare and BCBS Wellmark as their money is not being used to hire proper night staff.

We have been to the Bridges at Ankeny 4 times in the past few years. The 1st 2 times I rated the care a 5. About a year ago we were there the care had taken a bad turn less staff and noticeable changes I would have rated our last stay a 3. Then we had to have skilled care again this stay was noticeably much different. My husband had to wait to have his morning meds till 1120. After he had therapy. No blood pressure meds till then and it was supposed to be given again at 12. The DON her name is Michelle she said we have enough staff. I said than get out of your office and help. She said I have my own work to do. The next day she said if their are over 60 patients I am not allowed to help. They locked all the transfered records in their office. We never saw them all weekend. The nurses on the weekend were to just follow whatever the staff put in on the weekend. The transfer from Mercy was very poor the meds were very mixed up. They staff at the Bridges ignored the call lights and walked by my husband's room several times his light was on for a hour. The nursing staff was doing their best with the staff that they had they were totally understaffed. Those office nurses never came out to introduce themselves ask how things were going or if we had any concerns. The 1st 2 visits there the administrator came out introduced himself and gave me his card to call if I had any problems. The DON on the 1st 2 visits came out introduced herself told us what yo expected for care and come in any time. This time the DON or Administrator didn't even know who I was untill I was so upset with the care I moved him out of that facility. I would beware to ever put anyone in this faceless you can