Monterey Village Senior Living

This place is a scary and life-ending Twilight Zone horrendously mismanaged by Nurse Jessica. Any staff under her management that is worth their salt walks out. All of the high quality senior staff leaves. And no communication or consistency exists in the building. My family resisted placing our sharp mother in assisted living, but after much research Monterey Village looked lovely and inviting with their elegant lobby and dining room, and one of their welcome parties. We wanted to find what was perceptively the best place in Lawrence/KC area, were willing to pay the expensive price for our mother to recover from her stroke and hopefully get back home. We did extensive research at all of the top places in the KC and Lawrence area and chose Monterey Village. After entering Monterey Village my mother’s life was over in 4 months. From the beginning my mother’s care and food quality was horrific. The first week Nurse Jessica mismanaged her insulin that was always stable, not injecting the correct amount to drive my mom into 400 plus reactions…Most likely causing her second and life ending severe stroke. When we inquired on this “horrible” first week at MV, Jessica attacked us for questioning her…and the attacks continued weekly and the hostility towards the children paying top dollar when walking in the door was unbearable. Multiple times she reprimanded and berated us for making sure quality care was happening, and even when asking if mom was receiving her supplements she had taken for years to keep her healthy and fit. When we set up meetings to see what we could do to keep her digestive system and body healthy with whole foods and greens and supplements we were literally screamed at and berated for 10 minutes by Jessica in a tiny closed room. The third month at Monterey Village which was the beginning of the end of my mother’s life was complete mismanagement and incompetent, non existent care daily for someone who was extremely ill. She had impacted bowels from the poor quality processed food and no staff could figure out this common issue with seniors. Nurse Jessica remained locked in her office, never on the floor to assist or to help figure out the issue. Many times she was not even in the building for the entire day/weekend when she was “the nurse on call”. And no one was allowed to give me her number for emergencies. Bonnie, Tam and Rochelle were positive and patient caregivers, doing their best to work with a broken system and zero leadership or communications in the place and I could see their frustration. Before Thanksgiving I rushed my mom to the doctor emailing Jessica about the situation-I Never received a reply to my email from her. Ever for the entire week after the emergency. When I stopped by her office after the long weekend she showed no interest in the emergency nor asked what the status of my mom was. And no recommendations or help. The final week at MV, four weeks into no solution, mom started hemorrhaging badly from severe constipation/impaction,I was told by staff “if I could quietly walk her out the front door and drive her to the hospital and not call an ambulance, as not to upset the other residents”. Jessica never checked on us at the hospital. My mother passed after. A couple of the sweet staff checked in but zero from their managers. Don’t let the pretty lobby fool you. And don’t ever put a family member in here unless you want them gone quickly. My mother was walking up hills and making clever comments at my daughter’s birthday in August. By December she was gone. Mismanaged at all levels, processed bottom of the barrel food causing illness and dysfunctional hostile management and staff that is overwhelmed and have zero communication with one another. A irreversible mistake on our part.

My family and I have loved our experience with Monterrey Village for our mother! It’s a beautiful and lovely place, super clean dining area, easy for our mom to access, awesome and kind nurses, administrators and staff who have been phenomenal. The activities director, Ty, has been so amazing to our mom too with so many fun activities, holiday parties, lots of smiles, they take rides places, play bingo, do puzzles and crossword puzzles, and have regular meals! The residents have been like family to our mom too! We are so grateful for this wonderful home for our mom where we feel welcome too!

We can not say enough great things about Monterey Village. We moved our Mom in about 10 days ago and were expecting it to be a difficult transition for her. Everyone has been so nice and inclusive and caring. She is so happy here! I know we are still in the "honeymoon" phase of this, but I just think it's the absolute best place she could be right now. She loves the meals and has made many new friends already. Thanks to everyone there for all that you do!

Recently had to move my aunt to Monterey Village and the management and staff couldn't have been more competent, professional and compassionate. It's very stressful to make sure that your loved one is taken care of and are in capable, caring hands. If you are looking for senior living, this is a great option. Special shout out to Britte, Anita, Sharon and Paula. Thank you for all of your support.