Charlestown by Erickson Senior Living

Speaking strictly as a guest who has to frequent this community as a Healthcare provider, I dread going to this place. Large buildings with hundreds of residents and only five visitor spots to park far away from the entrance to every building. They are never available no matter what time you arrive morning or afternoon. There is not one designated spot at any building for anyone who is coming to provided medical care. You are forced to park in an overflow lot which can literally be a city block from the building you are going to. You either walk or wait for a shuttle to show up.

I do believe there are many people working at Charlestown to help older people live their best lives. And the community is active. But the cost for the value is too high (and gets higher every year) and the amenities my parents pay for in their monthly fee have consistently been threatened to be charged for per use when my parents use them. In the independent side where my parents live, they pay over $5,200/month for a two bedroom apartment, on top of a >$400K entrance fee. For that they are supposed to be able to enjoy the amenities of Charlestown which includes security if people fall or need help. My dad has memory impairment and has an aide and my mother living with him, but he will occasionally press the security button when he gets confused or believes he needs help - perhaps 1 time every 2-3 months nowadays. When my dad last pressed the button, the security guard said the next time he pressed it he would be charged. So my parents are scared to call security when they need it. That's nowhere in our contract, but just one of the many ways Charlestown appears to offer services but in reality the money they pay covers little. They've also had an unempathetic resident case manager that doesn't know them well but drops by occasionally with bad news or vague threats. Again there are many people there working hard and doing a good job, but there are a few people who aren't empathetic or caring towards older folks and it's just such a high cost for what you get.

Today at 11:45am I arrived at the gate to visit my grandmother. I didn’t have her room number upon entering and the guard was very rude to me. I tried giving her name end he cut me off and became agitated with me saying “doesn’t matter you need to know her room number to get in.” I explained to him it was my grandma’s birthday and only my 2nd time visiting and I couldn’t recall her room number (she is in assisted living and has dementia and can’t work a phone so it’s not like I can call her). He was able to call someone and get her room information in a quickly manner to assist me but he was annoyed that he had to make a call. I told him he was being unprofessional and could come off more kindly. I understand the security concern but more friendly gate staff would be appreciated

Truly a home, a warm friendly place to live

At first I was really happy about this establishment for my grandmother. However I am extremely disappointed with a recent experience. I was on the phone with my grandma she started speaking incoherently and said she was feeling faint and funny. I called the community to get in touch with security so someone could do a wellness check on her. After a half hour, NO ONE had gone to check on her or called to give me an update. I had to call a local family member to go there and check on her. Only when my family member got there, did they get any support. I understand that there are multiple buildings and hundreds of residents but you’d think there would be a faster protocol to provide support for our aging population.