Morningside of Columbus

Just finished a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with my mom and my dear friend Dot and Aunt Erris. The food was top notch and the staff,as always, was very cordial, helpful, and attentive. Thanks for a good memory Morningside.

Scary place. There is no way I could agree that this is a compassionate facility that has the highest of standards. There are certainly some wonderful Resident Assistants that work there and the Dining Facilities are well run and managed. But there are some scary people there. Sadly, elders live here and are depending on staff who are glued to their phones and/or have headphones in their ears. Residents asking for assistance via the signaling system go unanswered. After complaining, one resident even had her personal sign/name cut through with a razor knife or other sharp instrument. It appears to be retaliatory for the complaint. The state needs to go ahead and shut this place down. There are some good employees though. Director Melissa isn’t one of them. She is ineffective and only concerned with outer shell appearances. A puppet that allows substandard care.

A total nightmare ! Biggest regret ever and I ALWAYS tried to do my best for my mother. They ignored my mother in every way possible and she had Alzheimer’s. There is no oversight; medications not properly managed— my mother rarely got her pain meds ; they allowed my mother to remain in urine soaked bedding and develop HORRIBLE pressure sores . Yes they did. Left her food on bedside tray to get cold — knowing she was helpless and could not feed herself; allowed her to become dehydrated; facility employees too often complain of being understaffed * CAUTION* Understaffing equates to someone is not going to get enough attention!! Very few activities other than bingo maybe once or 2xweekly — I often took paint “projects” for donations as I felt the “coloring book pages” and a Box of crayons was insulting to many of the residents. Personal items “disappear” and housekeeping is not on their agenda. If they do residents laundry, it is returned 2 sizes smaller/shorter as there is no “care” The dining facility is very good and dining staff excellent. Most of resident assistants are “mediocre” a small number are very good — like maybe three— and two should never have been hired.... even the director admitted that one “just doesn’t know how to communicate well”. ?? I agree- nor can she do anything else well. She was Observed on a dozen occasions sitting around with her earphones on while residents were requesting assistance. Yep, she is still there!! And Melissa Ryland probably thinks that particular employee should be employee of the month — which speaks clearly of the Director’s judgement! . I am not the ONLY one who complained about this “headphone issue.” . DO NOT place a loved one there unless the person is fairly independent — seriously. I filed a complaint with DCH about this facility. Ms Ryland, the director, is out of touch when it comes to quality care. Proceed with caution — go elsewhere after doing your homework and be sure to examine all their annual inspection reports . Doing so will keep your loved one healthier, happier and maybe extend their life.

The team at Morningside is amazing. Melissa Ryland and Alice are wonderful. The assistants are also wonderful women and men. They have really cared for my parents and I am so thankful that my parents are in a place where they can be taken care of and I am not worried about them. An example of the great care was experienced when my parents first arrived. Sadly, my dad had to go to the hospital for a few days without my mom. My parents have never been apart from one another. The staff from Morningside made sure that someone came by my moms room and visited with her while my dad was not there. The staff even encouraged her to attend many of the activities while my dad was away. I was so thankful to them for doing this. I love Morningside and I think you will too.

Yes I,m a Resident Assistant in Vestavia, Alabama very nice and good communication.