Talamore Senior Living

With the quality of care - Disappointed that mom went into hospital shortly after moving into Talamore. Medical staff at UW hospital found her to be dehydrated. Another trip to hospital resulted from Talamore staff giving her two (one because deemed mom didn't take properly) nitroglycerine tablets. Med staff at UW hospital deemed that may have done more harm than good. She hasn't taken a nitro in over a decade and we have since removed that med from her list with concurrence and advice from UW health. Hind sight (20-20), I would place a high value on a place that staffed a RN (on-site) 24-7, which Talamore does not. Positive side: I feel certain overnight staff (aids) have done an exceptional job easing mom's anxiety and fears the first few nights. Disappointed that no value placed on keeping HFCS out of residents' diet. Example: pop is the default beverage for residents at lunch and dinner (my mom gets MILK, at our request and many reminders). Another example: syrup used for pancakes and waffles has HFCS as key ingredient. Also disappointed that Soup of the Day is not a planned soup made with fresh ingredients, which can then be known ahead of time so I know if my mom will eat it- but is instead a make something with leftovers from previous day- so soup for that day is not known until morning of that day. (When I select meals for my mom, I select a week's worth of meals on Sunday for next Mon-Sat.) Even if I select meals one day at a time, I have to turn in selections by 6:00 pm the night before, so I don't select soup because I have no idea what it will be. Disappointing because my mom would eat a good basic soup, besides the fact that it would further aid in hydration. Finally, it's a bummer that they don't give memory care residents a knife to cut their food. They get a fork and spoon, and are expected to eat a big piece of meat with those utensils. My mom knows how to use a knife and is no danger...so don't understand this. I don't believe it's a state requirement? Great director and Assistant Director of activities! Love it that assistant activities director also is staffed every other Sunday! He does a great job of rounding up residents for "moving and grooving, coming around to their rooms to cheerfully invite them out! [name removed] is amazing! [name removed] also great, and love that she brings her dog, [name removed], to work sometimes! The ratio of 9:1 residents, is tight, considering all they are tasked with, and that the secured MC area includes a number of enhanced care residents requiring two-person assists. Final comment: Overall, Talamore is meeting, but not exceeding, my expectations. I would not move her because the location is the best for all of us in the family that visit her. Wish dining were better and wish there were RN/oversight provided 24-7. I have given the above feedback also to Talamore and the local management appear to respond where they can. Some of the dining issues are also out of their control because of the third party they use, Unidine, which limits what they can order (e.g. maple syrup choices).

There was definitely some miscommunication between the hospice company and the facility. The facility wasn't as responsive to my sister as they should have been. It's a beautiful new facility which is great for assisted living, but I wouldn't recommend their enhanced care to others. I wish we would have taken my sister to an actual hospice facility instead.

Like so many other places right now, they are dealing with staffing shortages and that is affecting the quality of care that my loved one is receiving.

There are only 20 residents at this time. It is new and beautiful. The apartment is very nice for our loved one. If all amenities were available it might be better. Things are starting to slowly open up here.

There was a lot of staff turnover during our time here. There was a major lack of patient visits and over site. The management seemed to be overwhelmed. Based off our experience, I would NOT recommend Talamore St. Cloud to others.

Talamore Senior Living was not the experience we were hoping for, they were not able to meet the expectations we had. The facility is absolutely beautiful and there is good potential there but they fell short. If your loved one needs very minimal assistance this would be the place for them, but anything more then minimal the care lacks.