Bear Lake Retirement Home

I have researched, met and visited MANY ALF's, Retirements homes in the area and I mean A LOT! This search was for my brother who is in his mid 60's. I had a list of Q&A's for each place I visited in person, and was not afraid to tour, meet the residents, see living conditions & even meet Administrators/owners! Most places I would not put my cat in let alone a human being. Bear Lake is a HOME, with lovely staff, super clean throughout (including bathrooms & showers) residents were out in living area, I saw the meals in person, its family owned and family/friends operated so these ladies care about this family of ppl living here. No place is perfect BUT Bear Lake is definitely rated 10/10. They are willing to accommodate the residents & assist in anyway possible. Where else can you have a relationship w/Administrator/Owner & talk anytime?! We came from a 121 bed facility and that's exactly what it was; a FACILITY not a HOME like Bear Lake. STOP looking if you're lucky-they might have an opening for your loved one!

Having a family member expire in this facility, I feel I have seen all the areas of it . What it was, was a long ranch style home somebody added on to, obtained a business license and various licenses to serve medications and a food tray line and security measures like a alarm system and entrance codes and also verbal codes into an intercom before going in were put in place. It housed 15 to 20 people. Some needing minimal assistance and some terminal. The place was oderless, CNA attended, in a wooded area where if able a person could walk or set outside in little alcoves, ponds, rocking chairs, meals were prepared like a home, clean and good looking, holidays celebrated in groups if desired, medication cart locked at all times, plants were allowed to be in rooms. It was more personal. More like home. If able to drive, your car could be outside waiting for you. CNA's were always on site-not necessarily nurses but it was fine. The people were helpful in billing insurances for the person and it was just like what you would have at home minus the loneliness and plus the help, on the spot if needed. It did however, give you the feeling of being locked in and your independence taken away, which we all come to at some point.