Fort Valley Health and Rehab

My brother stayed in FVHR for 5 months, coming in with a serious health condition and being extremely underweight. The staff was attentive to his needs and worked hard to bring my brother back from the brink. While the facility and furnishings are dated, what was most important to me was the cleanliness, the attention provided to my brother by the staff, the homey feel, and the fact that any time I visited the interior smelled clean, not antiseptic. I would suggest that, if and when possible, there be daily and weekly opportunities for residents to sit outside in the fresh air and sunshine. I believe this would improve their mental and physical well-being.

Initially, my mother's interaction with this facility seemed promising, but my experience has since raised serious concerns. Despite their apparent assumptions, my mother is capable. She can read, write, and comprehend fully, yet the staff insists on directing all communication and paperwork through me. Beyond this, the facility itself desperately needs an update. The rooms appear to be decades old and are in poor condition. While the nursing staff seemed adequate in the beginning, their care has declined significantly. They have been neglecting my mother's hygiene, leaving her improperly cleaned, which has resulted in painful sores. Disturbingly, she is often left sitting in her urine late into the night, sometimes as late as 10 or 11 o'clock. Furthermore, the nurses have been attempting to dictate when my mother receives her medication, disregarding her knowledge of her own needs related to her rare lung disease. While I may outwardly agree with them, my mother is fully aware of her body and her required medication schedule. Her age does not diminish her cognitive abilities, and it's disheartening to witness her being treated as if it does. I will be relieved when she is no longer in this facility's care. Adding to my concerns, the therapist appeared hesitant to acknowledge my mother's ability to stand independently while using a supportive belt to transfer to her stroller or the commode. It's baffling that they were even considering releasing her this Friday. Thankfully, a doctor intervened and recognized that she is not yet ready for discharge. Overall, this facility has been a significant disappointment. The staff seems largely inexperienced, and the entire place is in dire need of both interior and exterior renovations. It's unacceptable that my mother is receiving this level of care.

No smells, quiet and peaceful, friendly staff.

Very good experience and love the way the staff and other care about patients. I recommend this place.

So this experience is already starting off on a sour note. My mother is supposed to be admitted there for physical therapy but, I am seriously considering and looking for other options already. It takes forever to get someone to answer the phone and when they do they are not very knowledgeable about anything. How do you work for a facility and know know who the administrative staff is. If this is any indication of how the care will be I know my mother doesn't need to be there.