Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls — Local services in Cuyahoga Falls

After extensive research and a two-hour walk-through of Maplewood Assisted Living, our family chose this facility for our grandmother. Many of the five-star reviews seem to have been written shortly after introductory tours or by those affiliated with the facility (which is misleading in itself). It’s important to understand: Maplewood will tell you what you need to hear to get through the door.

Maplewood is a step up from many other options, but it has not fully delivered on its promises.

There are definite strengths: the environment is clean and welcoming; medication management has been consistent; and having a nurse practitioner, podiatrist, and hair care on-site is a real convenience.

However, our family has had many areas of concern.

We will start at the beginning: We were told new residents are paired with a buddy to acclimate. That never happened. Our 98-year-old grandmother, still mentally sharp, was supposed to be placed among similarly functioning residents. Despite assurances, many in "The Tides" (non-memory care) show clear cognitive impairments.

We were told that laundry service was personalized with same-day turnaround. Instead, it has been inconsistent at best. After we raised concerns, Maplewood reassigned her laundry day - but to a day with no laundry staff scheduled. We now handle it ourselves. Confusion about who is responsible for changing bed linens has also meant they are rarely changed unless requested.

We were also told she could get help with showers as often as she preferred, including "right after dinner." In reality, staffing patterns and dining room transitions make that impossible. We were promised four showers per week, but because Fridays are typically understaffed, that hasn’t been consistently honored. Better communication up front would have prevented the disappointment.

Food quality has been deeply disappointing. Meals are often poorly prepared, with tough meats and uncleaned vegetables. Some meals, like the "seafood salad," have resembled pet food. My grandmother resorted to eating two fried eggs every meal until they ran out of eggs, with no alternatives offered. Although there is an alternative menu, wait times for those often reach an hour, by which time other residents have finished eating.

Communication has also been frustrating. Staff often acknowledge concerns but rarely follow through.

The hair salon service was also unreliable; on the day my grandmother was scheduled, the hairdresser (actually an aide, not the contracted, licensed professional) simply didn't show, and no one informed her.

Maplewood does offer advantages compared to many facilities, and we are grateful for the positives our grandmother has experienced. But families should go in with realistic expectations. We were promised over and over that we would see a "night and day difference" compared to other facilities, but that's not completely true. The promises made during tours don’t always match the day-to-day realities. Active family involvement is necessary to ensure consistent care. While still one of the better options, it is not the flawless experience suggested by marketing materials and...

After the passing of my grandmother, my dad and I were charged with keeping a close watch over my grandfather. When grandpas cognition started to change and his cancer diagnosis became terminal, Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls came to the rescue. We initially thought he would stay briefly and return home for his final days, but soon knew that his end of life care was better in the hands of the dedicated staff at Maplewood. The staff quickly became family to my grandfather, learning his routines, preferences, and even special things that made him more comfortable. While my grandpas memory was not always spot on, the impact that the caregivers and nurses made on him allowed him to feel safety, comfort, and relaxation for his final days, and he did even remember some of their names. The nurses understood his care, knew his non verbal signs of pain, and always consulted with my dad before making any medication changes. My grandpa did not want to eat much during his stay, but the flexibility of the kitchen team was evident in their willingness to cook him something simple that would bring him comfort. His suite was kept clean and odor free, and he was able to have his most loved cat, Buddy, in the apartment with him. Though his stay was short, from the front office to the back of the house, Maplewood at Cuyahoga Falls rose to the occasion and provided my grandfather with dignified care during his final days. Truly from my heart, thank you to the team...

We toured and reviewed several Memory Care Facilities before placing my father here. I was impressed by the level of care from the staff. The facility is clean and has a fresh feel to it. The use of linen and good tableware in the dining room makes the residents feel special. The food we have eating when visiting is very good, and beautifully presented. Maplewood provides several presentations on how to understand your loved one and their new challenges. Their staff goes through extensive training, such as I have never seen before. They seem to be patient, kind, and loving with each resident. Each month we are mailed the schedule of that month's activities for the residents. This makes it great if I want to join him to watch a movie in the theater room one night, or ask him about his days activities. The Maplewood staff has made my life so much easier now. There is no way I would be able to provide this kind of care or stimulation for him. Dad is very content here and much more involved...