[font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4"]To Whom it may concern: (It should concern everyone.) The best kept secret in Spokane, Wa. For Assisted Living, and Retirement is "The Cooper George". (Owned by Emeritus Assisted Living Corp. Of Seattle.) Fine, old, thirteen story high-rise on Spokane's lower South Hill. Close to Hospitals, Doctors, Buses, Downtown shopping, and Parks. Spacious apartments with great views. Unfortunately all these qualities DO NOT compensate for extremely poor management. (Warehouse mentality.) Staff is under paid, under trained, uncaring, surly, and indifferent to needs of Residents. Shifts are under staffed. (Cost effective.) (Highest Employee turnover in Spokane County.) Food is appalling. Three meals per day of tasteless, ill prepared starch, filler and grease. (But the menu looks delicious!) (Staff snacks on the best, especially after hours). Food is used by some Employee's as discipline with Residents. ("Don't complain and we may give you more, and better".) For fear of subtle reprisals, Residents say nothing to outside sources. They just move out. (Those who are able.) Medications are controlled and dispensed by untrained Aides. (Aides train Aides.) Many mistakes are made, but promptly corrected on paper. Theft and street drug use is more rampant than their incompetence. Building maintenance is shoddy, and unprofessional. Heat when needed is sporadic at best. (Consistently too hot or too cold.) Hallways are ill kept, and unclean. Trash rooms are filthy. Elevators are inadequate for heavy use of scooters, powerchairs, walkers, wheelchairs, Housekeeping carts, Maintenance equipment, Medication carts, and foot traffic. How Management remains under state radar is beyond belief. A haunting question persists in one's mind after seeing this building. In a emergency, (As in a fire.) if the elevators are shut down; how do some of the Residents on the upper floors in walkers, and wheelchairs get down? All are supposed to be ambulatory enough to walk down many flights of stairs. But are they? In response to fewer new placements, Owners have added fresh paint, expensive, new outdoor sign, new floor covering, plants, lots of artificial flowers, new furniture, and a lovely water display in Lobby. Funds better used for decent food, and more qualified personnel. These People are prolific prevaricators. Beware of their facade!
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