Brookdale East Niskayuna

Being a mental health professional and familiar with facilities that provide dementia care, it was challenge to find a place after COVID that was actually functioning safely, especially around staffing issues. Brookdale East has somehow found a way to maintain appropriate standards of care that are put into practice and not just advertising sound bites. It’s a lovely joyful experience going there to visit and feeling comfortable when I leave my mother, knowing she is safe and happily engaged in her world there. Thank you to the Brookdale East Team, you are deeply appreciated.

I don’t understand the positive reviews! Other than the care staff (not management) being lovely, there is absolutely nothing going on for the residents. They even keep the 2 wings separated 95% of the time, the courtyard is locked and no one has the key on the weekends. They are so understaffed that it can take up to 15-20 minutes to find someone if help is needed. Rarely a reception to let you in or out. Any concerns with management falls on deaf ears- even the care staff complained about management. I won’t even go into the laundry system! Everything disappeared! Mom always blamed. Mom now at Perergine in Colonie and it’s fantastic. Both wings open at all times with numerous lounge and dining areas. Everywhere you look there is a staff member. There are activities throughout the day. Her clothes are not missing or damaged. And mom is never blamed for anything. And mom is much happier. An after thought…. Because I’m still so disturbed by the management staff’s concern for the residents: when mom moved out (was asked to leave actually- we believe it was because we complained too much about the care given) the director Elizabeth didn’t even bother to come out of her office to say good-bye or wish mom well. She was right there in her office watching us move mom out. Truly disturbing.

My mom was a resident of Brookdale, eventually moving on to long term skilled nursing. At Brookdale she was treated with love & respect by her aides, and everyone from the director to the cleaning staff. In addition, I was always made to feel welcome on my almost daily visits. It was heartbreaking to have to move my mother from my home to theirs, but Matthew and all the staff helped me deal with the move as much as they helped her. It’s a great place and I had never to worry while she was living in their care.