Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine
Gordon G
"Caring Staff and Good Amenities Make a Great Senior Living Choice"
The folks at Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine really care about the residents and take good care of them. The rooms and amenities they offer are decent. Overall, I would suggest this community to others looking. It's a great place to live.
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Charles
"Disappointed with The Ballentine’s Care and Management"
I waited a couple of years before writing this review because I wanted to be fair and not let my sadness over my relative’s natural passing affect my thoughts. Now, I can say for sure that I wish I hadn’t picked The Ballentine for them. When we first visited, they told us one thing, but on the very first day, things didn’t go as promised. To make matters worse, my relative’s clothes and stuff went missing not once, but twice, within the first day. There were more problems too, and when I tried to talk about them, the answers I got were confusing and unclear. I felt like I had to be there all the time to make sure my relative had what they needed. Luckily, I was able to visit often. I do want to say thanks to some of the workers there who were truly kind and helpful.
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anonymous
"“Friendly Staff, Food Needs Improvement”"
The staff is super friendly and takes time to know the residents. However, the food could be better—more fresh fruits and veggies, especially seasonal ones. Overall, I’d recommend The Gardens of Virginia Beach.
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Anonymous
"Comfortable and Familiar Place for Loved Ones"
We knew about the Ballentine before, which influenced our decision to choose this place. Another reason was that she had friends there too.
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anonymous
"Mixed Feelings About Commonwealth At the Ballentine"
Our tour at Commonwealth At the Ballentine was great! I really liked the facility and the staff. However, it’s downtown, so there’s a lot of traffic and limited parking. It’s also more expensive than other places we considered.
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Gordon G
"Great Care and Highly Recommended"
I am really happy with how they take care of everyone here, and I would tell others to choose this place.
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anonymous
"Not our first pick due to size and age."
Commonwealth at the Ballentine seemed older and smaller, so it wasn't our top choice.
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Anonymous
"Virtual tour impressed with cleanliness and welcoming staff, especially Amy."
I only saw it online because of COVID, but it looks nice and clean. The staff are friendly. Amy, the marketing director, has been great! She's easy to talk to and really supportive. Even during COVID, she texted me to check on us because my mom lives with me. She's been super helpful.
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Anonymous
"Helpful and Informative Staff at Facility"
I didn't get to visit this place. My 94-year-old dad is really sick, so I don't need to look anymore. The person I talked to at the facility was very nice, gave me a lot of information, and was really helpful.
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LINDA BALDWIN
"Outstanding Care and Kindness from Ballentine Staff"
My family has gotten through these past few months thanks to the amazing and caring nursing staff taking care of my parents. The kindness of everyone at Ballentine is impressive. From [name removed] who set up my mom’s room, to the cooks who remembered her food likes, and the activity directors who got her involved in more activities than she has been in the last decade, everyone has been wonderful. My dad was able to pass away with dignity thanks to their great care. Thank you all.
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Anonymous
"Disappointing Experience at Assisted Living Facility"
This place was okay at first, but then it got worse. They didn’t have permanent staff at the front desk, and there weren’t enough people working on weekends. They didn’t take good care of our loved one, and when we told the managers about our concerns, they didn’t do much to help. We decided to move our loved one out after just a few months. Also, the prices were high for the bad service we got.
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Jeff Evans
"Negligence and Lack of Care at The Ballentine Facility"
My mom recently lived at The Ballentine, but I had to move her out. The people there do not pay attention to the health problems anyone might have. She ended up getting a very bad infection in her eye and no one noticed. She lost vision because of this. On top of that, she had a stroke and again, no one detected it. I got told that the people who work there don't check on the residents. I really advise everyone not to trust this place with caring for your loved ones.
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Anonymous
"Beautiful!"
Beautiful! This place is home to a happy and caring crew of staff. Both the outdoor and indoor surroundings are lovely.
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Anonymous
"What my dad needs: Safe, caring, good communication, activities."
We chose this place for Dad. Gives him proper care.
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Anonymous
"Cozy Assisted Living Hub with Friendly Staff and Activities Galore"
This assisted living spot is lively and cozy. The staff is super nice and welcoming. The folks living here are neat and involved in activities. They have plenty of things to do, and they really encourage connections with the community. The only downside is that the rooms are a bit small.
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Anonymous
"Renovated, friendly, great staff—a nice place to live."
The place is completely renovated. Friendly people, great staff. Nice living environment.
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anonymous
"Absence of professional conduct amidst management at assisted living facility"
Reconsider before moving your loved one into this facility. The certified nursing assistants are superb and extremely amicable. However, both the Executive Director and Sweet Memory Director are anything but understanding. If you need to discuss something with them, they just brush you aside without a care. Their time is spent behind the closed doors of the Executive Director's office, and when they do come out, their conversation with the staff is quite harsh. Their conduct appears highly unprofessional to me. My mom has been residing here for quite some time and I've observed the facility's conditions getting worse. Discussing issues with the head of maintenance is like hitting a dead-end - he tends to dismiss you as ignorant and does nothing to rectify the problems. When you take the next step and reach out to the corporation, they offer empty apologies and vague promises to investigate the issue.
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Anonymous
"Consider Relocating Loved Ones: Subpar Management Overshadows Great Staff"
The certified nursing assistants at this assisted living facility are amazing and work tirelessly to make the residents comfortable. However, the management leaves a lot to be desired as they're consistently rude and dismissive towards the staff. During family nights, the management team prefers to stay secluded in their office, displaying an unapproachable demeanor. The manager is especially distant, always keeping her door shut, leaving no opportunity for families to engage in meaningful conversation. Similarly, the program coordinator is rarely seen doing anything other than sitting idly in the office. The management's attitude gives off an unfortunate air of superiority over the residents and their loved ones, which is completely out of line. I'm seriously considering relocating my family member elsewhere because, despite having some remarkable staff on board, the management team is a huge letdown.
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Anonymous
"Urgent: The Ballentine Needs Management Overhaul and Respect Training"
The Ballentine may not be a good choice for your family...in the recent months, it's like a sinking ship... The Ballentine desperately needs fresh leadership, the current manager needs to learn more about respect.
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Anonymous
"Ballentine Assisted Living Declines in Quality and Respect"
Ballentine Assisted Living facilities, where my mom lived, has really disappointed me in the last few months. The place now lacks basic principles that it once held high. It's no fun to visit anymore; all you see is sadness on everyone’s faces. I'm starting to think about moving mum elsewhere. I’m always there so I've seen the downward spiral. The events department isn't fun anymore since Karen left and I really miss that nurse from the nursing team; she was perfect. The dining area is under-staffed with only two people serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, which means meals take an eternity to serve. Worse still, they seem to constantly run out of food and the food quality is terrible. The senior management need some serious lessons in treating both residents and staff with more respect. So, if you have family there, visit them unexpectedly to ensure they're treated properly, fed good food and kept in a tidy environment. Don't forget that respect is paramount.
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Anonymous
"Steep Decline: "Once Welcoming Ballentine Loses Heart""
The Ballentine used to be a fantastic assisted living facility, but that all changed with the new Executive Director. This new leader is consistently rude to residents and staff alike. She even fired most of the old staff, who were pillars of this community. Instead of being accessible to residents and families, she barricades herself in her office with other head personnel, leaving no room for private communication. Additionally, the new Sweet Memory Director does little to interact with the residents and often hides in the executive office. I'm upset to say, The Ballentine has ceased to be welcoming for our loved ones. Food shortage has become a routine issue. We sorely miss the devoted activities coordinator, who took genuine care of the residents and their families. Her absence left the place in a steep decline. I was compelled to move my mother to a different facility because of these unsettling changes. In light of these reasons, I can no longer recommend The Ballentine as a home for your loved ones or a workplace for anyone.
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Laurie Henry
"Great Care for Mom, Gentle Approach, Helpful Staff"
Review: Everyone has really worked hard to keep my mother safe and happy while taking care of her needs. She’s a private person, and they’ve been great about giving her space. They haven’t rushed her into activities but are taking their time to understand her. The other residents seem well cared for, and some are very helpful as both Mom and I get used to everything!
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Sally Arrington
"Beautiful and welcoming facility, helpful staff, hopeful for adjustment."
I recently placed my family member here, so some details are unclear. Despite initial financing struggles, staff like Stacy and Melissa were very helpful, going above and beyond to ensure my loved one felt welcomed and engaged. I hope she adjusts and enjoys her time here, with comfort in her remaining years.
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Patricia Martin
"Good value and caring staff, room for improvement in food."
The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is pleasant. Mom moved in August and has settled well, thriving here. Would like nursing staff to ensure she drinks more. Recent turnover in management and kitchen, food needs improvement, more red meat and better coffee. Plans for improvements are underway. Overall, good care, kind staff, responsive to concerns. Good value, could be great with adjustments.
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Anonymous
"Comfortable and welcoming assisted living with excellent memory care services."
I really liked this place because it had nice vibes, lots of sunny spots, gardens outside, things to do, a good location, and friendly staff. They really pay attention to helping people with memory issues.
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Customer
"My mom spent 3-4 months there in 2008."
My mom stayed there for 3-4 months in 2008 but left because she felt she didn't need that much care.
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