Birchaven Village

Let me preface this review by saying that I wrote to the administration on June 2, 2023, and have not had a response regarding the review I proposed to write. As it has been over a month without any response, here's what I have to say about living in the "independent" part of Birchaven. The landscaping is immaculate; it is beautiful and serene here. The food in the dining hall is very good, and the prices are decent for a full meal. The residents are very kind and friendly, and maintenance works hard to try to keep up with all of the many projects around the grounds and in the buildings. There are, however, lots of things that make this less than an ideal retirement community. In The Oaks, independent living, there aren't any activities provided by the facility. Residents have taken it upon themselves to organize things to do, but having only a small community room with a few tables and chairs, the majority of activities centers around card-playing. And, residents were chastised for trying to create a calendar of events/ helpful hints brochure about The Oaks and for putting things out on the tables for other residents. It seems that some administrators forget that these seniors are not just adults but customers. There is a small workout room, but not really a good exercise facility. There is a pool, but 1) it isn't open, and 2) when it is open, the public has access to it. So, what is the benefit of being a resident here if I can live somewhere else and come use the pool? The apartments themselves have lots of problems: broken window panes and gaps that allow debris and snow to blow into the residences. There aren't any thresholds under the entry doors to the apartments, so you can hear EVERYTHING in the hallways in your living room. The walls are thin. The washers and dryers are tiny. The AC/ heating units don't always function properly, and the wifi is pretty bad. I suppose if you've never lived in any other retirement community, you might think this place is ok. However, having lived in a place in which there were several living areas (a library, craft room, game room, movie theater, pub, billiards room, card room, full workout facility, indoor pool, woodworking room, BBQ area, garden center, internet cafe, and family dining area) with administrators who knew every, single resident and provided activities that were engaging and exciting, I feel that this place is just substandard. Birchaven may know assisted living and rehab, but they know nothing about creating an active senior living environment conducive to maintaining health. This place almost seems like the transitional housing to prepare you for assisted living, which is not what I wanted for my mother or myself.
Jul 2nd, 2023

Mar 8th, 2023

Helpful staff, clean and warm
May 27th, 2022

Some of the employees here should learn more about how to treat others. Including their co workers. Im appalled at how this place runs its business.
Dec 26th, 2020

Oct 6th, 2020