Revera Riverbend - Edmonton

If you don't hate your parents, don't let them live at this place. Staffs are not professional (managers included). Although the facilities and decorations look okay, there is no warm-heart at this place. Parents need us to accompany them, not the non-professional staffs to scold them (this is particularly true for the dementia patients).

THE WORST/ MOST DANGEROUS memory care unit we used!! DO NOT SEND YOUR LOVED ONES HERE!! This is the first memory care unit we brought our Grandma to when her Dementia was to a point where she could no longer be safely cared for in her home: she thankfully only stayed here for several months. I'm sure that Revera attempts to have negative reviews flagged or removed so GOOGLE: feel free to contact me about this review I would be happy to vouch for it. I could write an entire book about this experience but, for the sake of brevity, here are instead the highlights: - The staff are unwilling/ unconcerned with basic hygiene of patients: these units have lockable (not common practice on a dementia unit for obvious reasons) studio style suites and within several weeks her unit had a saturated and PROFOUND urine smell throughout which we could never find the source of and were essentially told that was our problem to source and clean which we tried to without much success. We frequently helped her change into unsoiled depends and to the bathroom so we suspect that she was left to sleep all night and probably had accidents at night. Staff/ Management did not seem to care when this was raised to them - My Grandma went MISSING on the unit (and no one cared!): It took 20 mins of pleading and me threatening to look in other patient's rooms for her before even ONE staff would GET UP from the nursing desk to start looking for her. They didn't even know if she was on the unit or off (couldn't find her on a list). Finally she was found in another patient's (thankfully female) room, again, the staff were completely unconcerned with my distress or her safety. The impression was very much that patients could wander freely in and out of rooms. Anytime we would open the door to her suite my Grandma would be AFRAID until she could hear our voice, again, this increased my suspicion that patients would enter her room randomly. - The unit was long and narrow and largely out of view from the nursing desk where (as above) staff would congregate and chat for what seemed like 90% of their shift. (As time went on family members would check in and visit multiple times a day because we were so concerned about her welfare, so we were on unit a lot). Several family members are RNs so we have a sense of what is appropriate and what is not. -Anytime we helped her with meals (she was total assist by this time) she was ravenous and would clean her plate but despite this, she lost a considerable amount of weight (was otherwise healthy). By the time she was transferred out, none of her clothes fit her at all. The next facility she gained all of the lost weight back. -We had to BEG for her to get assessed by the MD for any changes or increases in medications. She was under medicated and up almost every night. When staff would see us they would complain to US about this as if we could do anything about it. There are better facilities out there! She is now in a great place with a private (but safe!) room and very competent staff.

If I could give a -15 stars I would. I picked this place thinking that it would be fantastic, from the way they boasted and dealt with myself in the beginning while arranging a room and help for my grandmother. Let me tell you it's all an act. My grandmothers monthly bill is never the same sometimes it 2 thousand dollars more and we have to go question why and no one ever has an answer. The staff do not make the normal amount of check in rounds like they are suppose to. My 93 year old grandmother passed out several times, and they just took her back to her room. It wasn't until she passed out again that they decided to call and ambulance only after they had decided to call my mother. Her room smells terrible, they make her bed once in a blue moon but it is suppose to be made daily. She sits in urine soaked depends and pants because the staff don't come and help her like they should. Horrible place wouldn't this place for anyone. Cant move my grandmother fast enough.

Choosing a retirement home for our mom was overwhelming, until we toured Revera at Riverbend. She has just recently settled in and already I feel confident and at peace, that we made the very best decision. Every staff member goes out of their way to make each and every resident feel acknowledged and special. People are smiling and socializing as they engage in so many different activities. The transition moving from your own home to a new residence is not without its challenges. However, I can honestly say that Revera goes above and beyond in creating a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. It is secure, professional and compassionate and we are very grateful that this is the place where our whole family can enjoy spending time with our mom.

My father was fortunate to live here from Sept 2018 until Feb 2021. He required a higher level of care and is now in LTC. We were very fortunate because shortly before his move there RRR had a change in management and Violette has been an excellent DOC for this site. She is a great communicator, bright and on top of her game. Her leadership really showed itself as the pandemic entered into the world for all of us, but most especially our seniors. My father was very disappointed to be unable to return to the site. He was in a private suite with Home Care services. The nursing staff were marvelous, kind, sweet, and caring. The site meals were wonderful according to my father but this was interrupted by a change in the chef and by COVID and the required isolation routines. I know they hired a new chef just after my father left the site. The dining room staff were really delightful. They had a wonderful recreation program that was severely curtailed by COVID. So I would highly recommend this site for consideration. Barb is a wonderful and sparkling person who first reviewed and tour the site with us. Liz at the front desk and Helen at the helm of site operations were also great to work with. Thanks to all the great staff at Riverbend for your dedication, and commitment to providing excellent care. Virginia Allarie

Riverbend Retirement Residence (RRR) review update. I would like to update my previous 5 star review of this retirement residence. First, I commend the Revera management and staff for their efforts to keep the Covid virus out of the building! When there have been cases, the handling of the situation has been excellent. As well, the RRR has a fabulous new chef who is providing greatly improved meals to the elderly. I have two family members living in the residence who have had the pleasure of eating his meals. A great plate of food is always appreciated and this is one of the most important aspects of good living! I think that it would also be a good idea if management could arrange for the servers to ask residents what they would like rather than just putting the plate down in front of them. In earlier times there was a menu on the tables that allowed residents to choose a bit more according to their likes and dislikes. While my family members enjoy living at Riverbend Retirement Residence there appears to be an issue with communication and organization. First, the communication with residents needs to improve. If an event is scheduled and delayed or canceled it should be communicated to residents. Staff also need to remember that not all residents at the residence have dementia. There are many elderly individuals who are as sharp as a tack and should be treated as a respected older person by all staff. While we greatly appreciate the laundry services I notice my father's non-iron dress shirts come back looking very wrinkled and crumpled like they have sat in an overloaded dryer for a period of time. I have to smell them to check if they are clean. Laundry services cost $120.00 a month so it would be nice to have the shirts come back with significantly less wrinkles and perhaps have the top button closed to keep them on their hangers. Elderly residents still need to look good in their clothes. There is a lack of interesting activities for people living there – perhaps some more thought could be given to making their days more interesting. Bring in more music and more speakers to talk about issues that are interesting to the residents. These issues can be resolved easily. Perhaps a stakeholder meeting held now and then could be a good idea for future – where the designated support persons could attend and suggest some improvements or changes. Organization is the key to making the Riverbend facility a great place to be!!

Revera Riverbend has been a blessing for my family. There is evidence of a strong and resounding ethic of care upon first arrival onto the property. Well maintained greenery creates an astounding setting for residence. Cleanliness, organization and most importantly compassion resonates throughout the building. The care and attention to detail both with their residence and the families offers comfort and trust. I cannot say enough about the staff! Professional, caring, compassionate and friendly qualities are embedded into their practices! Thank you for creating a home for both of my parents, and making them feel like family!

Met with Charlene D. who was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in our search for my dad's next steps. She was patient with our timing and provided an excellent tour for myself and other family members. Could not ask for a better experience.