Poet's Walk Cedar Park

I am quite pleased with the new director and current staff at Poet's Walk Cedar Park. The quality of care, leadership, and communication with family has improved considerably. This community and others have gone through a difficult time retaining qualified staff, but I am hopeful that the improvements made at Poet's Walk will continue.

There is a difference in whose working and how things are run. At first were so happy, it was amazing and it was everything they said it would be. But now it is a a bit of a mess because of the shortage of staff. They are super understaffed. Almost everyone who was here when we placed my loved one has left. Even leadership. There is no liaison for the residents anymore. The guy who runs the kitchen is such a sweetheart and works so hard, but they had to switch so the main meal is at lunch because they are so short staffed at dinner times. All of the staff are doing a very good job and really trying their best, there is just not enough of them. Overall there have just been a ton of turnover in the staff and that is affecting everything else. I could not recommend them at the moment until they get staffing all figured out.

There is LOTS of turnover. I know that's an across-the-board issue, but it's been alarming how many people only work there briefly.

I would say the friendliness of the staff is what really sticks out about this facility. They went above and beyond to ensure that my uncle would fit in the environment and get the care that he would need. Their willingness to listen to my mother and myself about my uncles emotional and physical state has been amazing. We know that he is safe and well cared for here and we do not have to worry. I would definitely recommend Poet's Walk to other families.

[name removed], one of the directors of residential services was incredibly helpful with the whole transition when my loved one passed away. I really appreciated everything that they all did for her while she was there. I would definitely recommend Poet's Walk Cedar Park to other families.

This is a community of approximately 50 residents. I was pleasantly impressed with the virtual tour and the information provided by [name removed]. I have a few questions about the availability of music for him and other residents. I am concerned about the ratio between caregivers and residents, which I was told is one for every 10 residents. My other concern is his transition specifically with the need to guide him to it. I liked the place very much but I need to have more information on the chef/cook and the quality of the food. I will visit again to clarify and asked specific questions about exercises, activities, and music. Also about the possibility of my volunteering 3 hours or so every day for a couple of weeks to help with activities, and then lower to two for a couple of weeks, then one, and finally stop once we agree he has transitioned. This one is very closed to a 5

My dad can be a handful but Poet's Walk staff has done a beautiful job working with him as he adjusts to his new home. He loves the food!

After much research, interviews and virtual tours selected poets walk for obvious reasons. The facility works very closely with resident, is very clean, they have planned activities everyday and personalized meals for the residence. My dad is new at Poet's Walk but already seems very happy. The staff is amazing and always ready to assist.

This community is unreal, the rooms have a lot of light. The whole facility is bright and airy. They have two courtyards with trees and flowers, they even have a chicken coop and an herb garden. They have activities that every resident gets to participate in. They have little corners in the facility that are decorated with different themes, it may look like a ice cream parlor, or an old fashion laundry parlor with a washing board. They have art and music classes several times a week. They have performers like musicians and dancers come in. They even had a fair last year that they could go to My mom loves it! First thing she said when she came to visit "is there is so much light." She said it was the best "hotel" she has ever stayed at. They throw the residents birthday parties. The staff is amazing, they have been very careful with the residents during COVID, not one resident has came down with the virus.

I visited 12 places in a very short period of time. Ultimately what helped me decide was the staff. They were considerate of the fact that I had to make a lot of tough decision in a short period of time. The office staff were very helpful, and did not pressure me. As I viewed several places, I did not see staff mingling with people like I did at Poet's walk. My mother moved in at the beginning of January. The front office staff always greets me with a smile and kind word. One time, I came unexpectedly to visit and my mom was already visiting with two staff members in her room, and was telling them stories. I heard the laughing before I walked into the room which makes my heart happy. I was so worried my mother would be upset about losing independence. She actually seems happier. She has new routines with her new friends. She told my teenager that she has a "bestie". These ladies really hit it off from the start. I can't say enough good things about the staff. My mother has adopted them all. She is constantly introducing me to my "new sister". The only thing that would make Poet's walk better would be to buy the chef an ice cream maker. (He has some ideas, and I volunteer to taste test.... for the residences of course). Thanks to all the staff for all they do! You are appreciated.

One of my parents has been in PW since last Spring. It started out good, but now I'm really concerned that they have too many residents for the amount of direct care staff (CNA, MA,LVN, RN). Pros: 1. They have some really good, compassionate care givers and LVNs 2. They have some sweet ladies that do activities with them. I have NO idea what the director of activities does--she is rarely with the residents, just her staff interacts with the residents. 3. Its all hands on deck when meals are served 4. Nice variety of foods and its prepared well--I do think they should ask the resident what they'd like to eat though. Cons: 1. Top-heavy (I see 9 administrators and their booklet states this) Not too sure what the administrative staff does. It would be nice if there were fewer administrators and more direct care givers. On 1/22/19 there were 42 residents and during the day and evening there were 4 "care partners" + 1 med aide and 1 wellness nurse, overnight there were 3 "care partners" + 1 wellness nurse. What this means is at bed time there is 1 care partner for every 10 residents to help get them ready for bed. Most times you wait for help. 2. They have a bus, but it is rarely used to take the residents on outings. I know of 2 outings my family member attended, now they've stopped the outings. 3. In the evenings you'll find several residents (one night I counted 9) in the common areas without ANY supervision. 4. Upon putting a camera in the room, we discovered showers were only 1 time a week and transfers were sometimes with only 1 caregiver. The RN writes the care plan based on the level of care needed. In our case, my family member's care plan stated: 3 showers a week, 2 person transfer, etc. We pay for "extended care" costing an extra $700/month. Funny, now we have the help of Hospice Austin (great group) and they provide almost 6 additional hours of care/week (2 caregivers to shower 3x/wk, RN, SW/pastoral care every 2 weeks. I asked if the extended care charge would be reduced and PW said "No". 5. No simple hygiene. Finally, they are now wiping the residents hands before meals. 6. No oral care. Sometimes all the resident needs is their toothbrush prepared, handed to them, and cued. 7. At meals some of the men could use second helpings or at least offered. Their portions are getting smaller. I would say if you put a loved one in ANY community, stay on top of their care and put a camera in their room. You can complain to the management and corporate, but nothing really changes. I hope people read the reviews and the reviews encourage management to make improvements. PW has some really good direct caregivers and some LVNs and Med aides. They need to be compensated well and more need to be hired.

We made a tough decision to move our loved-one from a facility where care giving caused us many concerns. We were frustrated with numerous falls, over several months, resulting in serious injuries. The proposed solution was to hire private-pay nursing, around the clock, which increased care costs tremendously! Moving into Poet’s Walk brought about an immediate improvement! The medical team is alert and engaged. Within days, a speech therapist identified swallowing problems and made recommendations to modify her diet. Physical therapists identified diminished core strength and adjusted her care plan accordingly. The nursing team is alert and engaged, bringing us peace and lifting tremendous worry! [Name removed] is a “hands-on” Executive Director and he can be seen interacting with both residents and staff throughout the facility! Marvin Smith, Lauren Urbanek, and Kelsey Lang are the reasons we selected Poet’s Walk—they responded correctly to the myriad of questions we asked. Further, they went above-and-beyond, working long hours to insure a comfortable and joyful transition between facilities. We can’t say enough good things about our experience!

We made a tough decision to move our loved-one from a facility where care giving caused us many concerns. We were frustrated with numerous falls, over several months, resulting in serious injuries. The proposed solution was to hire private-pay nursing, around the clock, which increased care costs tremendously! Moving into Poet’s Walk brought about an immediate improvement! The medical team is alert and engaged. Within days, a speech therapist identified swallowing problems and made recommendations to modify her diet. Physical therapists identified diminished core strength and adjusted her care plan accordingly. The nursing team is alert and engaged, bringing us peace and lifting tremendous worry! [name removed] is a “hands-on” Executive Director and he can be seen interacting with both residents and staff throughout the facility! [name removed], [name removed], and [name removed] are the reasons we selected Poet’s Walk—they responded correctly to the myriad of questions we asked. Further, they went above-and-beyond, working long hours to insure a comfortable and joyful transition between facilities. We can’t say enough good things about our experience!

I have come to tour this facility twice. The only thing bad is that i am moving away and will no longer be looking in this area. Based on the other Alzheimer's care facilities in the area this one is FAR above the rest. There prices was middle of the road and all the staff i met were very pleasant. While looking for my mother i have seen many false or fake smiles. I'm not sure how to explain it but it looks like people actually love being here.

Poets Walk is always clean and bright, a great environment for seniors. The staff truly care about their reisdents. [name removed] the social worker has a passion for the residents and [name removed] the concierge greets everyone warmly and always with a smile. Highly recommend Poets Walk!

We placed mom here several months ago and we love Poet's Walk. Mom had been in two different facilities before this, and she was not thriving until she got here. What we noticed most was how proactive, attentive and kind the staff is. The building is new, the food is great, the activities keep mom engaged, and the staff is simply incredible. If you're looking for a place, we highly recommend Poet's Walk

I was able to tour this community for the care for my mom. I found it to be clean. The staff was nice and helpful for my questions on the care that is offered. I would recommend this community for families to tour to see if it would be a community for care for a loved one.