Green Acres Foundation - Garden View Lodge

Awful. Family was lied to and extorted. Don't go here

Family stayed here. They were lied to about how "independent" the living is. They were forced to pay for a meal every day whether they were there or not. They have to be home by 10pm and check in every morning to confirm that they are alive. This is semi independent living at best and they are wasting our family's money. Our family member is moving out and we are very thankful for that. There are better choices for your loved ones.

I am writing this review in response to a previous review. I am a resident of Garden View Lodge. As indicated in this listing the lodge is an "assisted living facility". I would describe it as a seniors' lodge with traditional lodge suites as well as transitional living apartments. The apartments are very nicely appointed one bedroom suites. One must take one meal a day in the dining room - that requirement means one is "forced" to socialize with other lodge residents at that time, which for those who might tend to isolate is a healthy thing. For me it means that, plus it relieves me of all the necessary tasks (meal planning, grocery shopping, preparation and cleanup) which would assure my eating at least one healthy and balanced meal each day. Those in apartments are required to check in by phone each morning which feels unusual for those of us capable of living mostly without aid, but staff in the lodge are responsible for the welfare of residents. It's a good interaction with staff and takes only as long as you want it to. Outside doors to the facility are locked at 10 each night but residents merely ring a doorbell to be let in by night staff - an obvious safety measure for everyone. No one facility can possibly please everyone about everything. In my opinion, Garden View Lodge comes as close as possible to being a great place to live, particularly for an older "single" person. If one wants and is able to be TOTALLY independent he or she should look at a regular apartment, with all the responsibilities, tasks and uncontrolled neighbours that includes. If a family is looking for a safe, pleasant and healthy environment for a senior, in my opinion, Garden View is one of the best.

I am writing this in response to the two negative reviews that were previously posted. I am a resident of Garden View Lodge & have been since December 1st 2016, before this I was a resident of Black Rock Terrace for four & a half years. Both lodges are run by Green Acres Foundation. When I moved over to the independent living apartments at Garden View, I did so because I have a mild eating disorder & I was able to make two meals a day for myself and be able to have my third meal in the lodge dining room. This ensures that at least I have one nutritious meal a day. These apartments are we'll appointed with one bedroom, lovely living room, a beautiful bathroom with a walk in shower and a full kitchen with a full size fridge and oven. I am very happy to have such a beautiful apartment. I was well aware when I moved in that I had to have one meal a day, this being supper and that I had to pay X number of dollars per month whether I chose to be there or not. As for calling down each day and checking in I was also made aware of this, it is for my own safety, if I don't call the staff will check on me just to make sure I haven't fallen or that I am not sick, this is reassuring to know that if something happens to me I won't be lying on the floor for days until someone realizes I am not around. As for the outside doors of the facility being locked at 10:00 pm, this is for our own security, we don't need "Tom, Dick & Harry" as the saying goes wandering in and out of the building at night. Everyone has their own fob which enables us to get in and out during the day and if you get home after 10:00 pm at night, even if it's 2:00 am in the morning, no sweat we just need to ring the bell and the night staff will let us in, it's not a prison we're living in I don't care where you live things are not always perfect. The Management and Staff at Garden View are caring and more than obliging and have certainly gone out of their way on more than one occasion to be helpful. The food is good, the Cooks and the Dining Room staff are friendly and helpful and always have a smile for you. If you want to be TOTALLY independent then don't move here, find an apartment where you are responsible for all of your own day to day tasks, but if you are a Senior who wants to live in a safe, friendly environment then Garden View in my opinion is one of the better places to live.