SaraBella Senior Living

The Executive Director and Nursing Director lack empathy. My Mom was suffering from shortness of breath when walking. I told the Nursing Director of my concerns and was told that Mom "needed to walk more." I asked the Bluestone Physician's CNA about Mom's blood oxygen being low at 93, she said it was fine. The Empath Nurse noticed my Mom's shortness of breath and brought it to the Nursing Director's attention. When I asked what was being done, I was told that it was being treated at a "low level" by her cardiologist. One week later, on New Year's Eve, I was on my way to visit Mom when I called her and she could not breathe at all. I had to call an ambulance. She ended up in the Emergency Room with pneumonia and extreme edema. No one at Sarabella noticed. She is now in Hospice Care at Sarabella and the Executive Director will not allow me to stay overnight in her apartment even though I have been FBI background checked multiple times as a Senior Center Volunteer and former teacher.

I can't say enough about Sarabella Senior Living. My Dad is & always has been very independent & active, he was still golfing 2x a week just last year, but then things started to change after he fell, then lost his lady friend, then fell again & we were so nervous to have him live alone. We had to figure something out since he wanted to continue to live alone but he lived in Hudson, FL, I live in Massachusetts & my brother in Missouri. My husband & I have a home in Punta Gorda but aren't there full time, my Uncle, my Dad’s brother, who’s 87, lives in Sarasota. I found out about Sarabella through Ryan at Assisted Living Locators (that's another raving review!!) & I was very impressed. My Uncle visited it the day after after I did & met with Esther & he really liked it, so we decided to bring my Dad so he could decide if he could envision living there. Thank goodness he really liked it, because our minds were pretty much made up. I had no idea what it entailed or cost & the people at Sarabella helped me with all of my questions. I had originally met with Brandie (who was informative & helpful without trying to sell me on anything) but Esther quickly became my go to (& she STILL IS!!). If I was/am a pain, she never lets on & is truly beyond amazing, even getting in touch with me on her day off. I am back in Massachusetts & have had to call a couple of times (help retrieving a message from my Dad’s cell phone etc.) & Dawn at the front desk is beyond wonderful. She is sweet & kind & caring & more than helpful whenever she helps me or my Dad. Natalie, the move in coordinator, was wonderful to get everything situated when Dad moved in. She is always so helpful when my Dad changes a button on the tv & can’t watch it or needs help with his telephone to call Ireland & is so much more available than just when he moved in. The nursing staff is so very helpful & kind & does way more than just give out meds. They take the time to talk with my Dad & answer any of his questions & helps with little things he may need help with. They never tell him they cant do something because they’re short staffed or too busy. Carol, the executive director, took time to meet with me to go over a few concerns & made a point of finding time that worked for me, even though she was extremely busy. There are quite a few activities that are available, art classes, bingo, movie nights & weekly outings. My Dad enjoys breakfast, lunch & dinner in the dining room & happy hour every day (2 beer/wine limit)! They have sitting areas in the front (rockers) & back (tables & chairs & benches) & my Dad enjoys both of them. He even told me that he was going to Publix with everyone. I love that my Dad has a beautiful brand new apartment with some really amazing people that I know we can count on to be there if we need them but more importantly I love that my Dad has started “living” again & the piece of mind that comes with that is priceless.

This was, by far, the best community for my mom in the area. It is clean, no odors, bright and roomy. The gardens and courtyard are gorgeous! The Executive Director and Director of Nursing are very active in the community and engages with residents and their families. We have had some great talks about their desire to always provide great care for the seniors living in the home. They have hired strong directors and each department is run efficiently and they are always welcoming and ready to assist as you need them to. We love them and their team. This has been a great move for my mom and one I am sure i will never regret when it was time to make this tough decision for her to live in assisted living.

My Father & Mother had lived there for more than 4 months. The prices are high. Facility is ok as average. The service were very bad. The Executive Director was very rude & unprofessional to my folks. I had to relocate my folks back home to Washington. If you are looking for a place for your folks, please do not put them there.