Signature Senior Living — Local services in New York

My son and I are so grateful to have found this place for his father, my ex-husband. The search was extraordinarily stressful. C. was in the hospital and pressure was mounting for him to leave, but it was almost impossible to find a place that would keep him safe but not infantilize him. C. is physically healthy and sometimes completely lucid, but was found walking barefoot beside the highway before he was hospitalized. Nursing homes would provide too much care -- bathing, feeding etc. -- but most assisted living facilties allow residents to come and go as they please, which would be dangerous for him. Of course, the place also needed to be affordable.

Signature Senior Living was the perfect situation. Residents are evaluated to see if they can safely go out on their own, and if not, they are kindly but firmly stopped at the front desk unless a family member is with them. In addition, they offer daily activities, supervised outings, common areas where residents can interact, physical therapy, daily housekeeping, and medical attention as necessary. We liked the diversity of the residents and the neighborhood, which is conveniently accessible by subway. The all inclusive price for a well furnished private room was very reasonable. We knew when we saw Signature that it was the right place for C., and Rebecca, the assistant director, made the transition astonishingly, blessedly easy.

C. has now been at Signature for three months. Every single person we have interacted with there has been kind, professional, empathetic, flexible and patient, even in difficult situations. They are excellent at preventing and defusing conflicts with residents whose dementia makes them mistrustful and anxious. Staff see the humanity in their patients and treat them accordingly. In addition, when there has been a problem of some kind, it has usually been fairly easy to get a response and solution.

I considered giving Signature four stars instead of five because I sometimes noticed problems with C.'s room or some aspect of his health before staff did, and sometimes I've had to repeat requests before they were acted on. It's important to visit residents at any nursing home or assisted living facility because staff can't notice everything, and even with the best intentions issues can fall between the cracks. However, my son and I trust the people at Signature to rectify any problem that they can when it is brought to their attention, and to take residents' and their families' needs seriously.

All in all, we are very glad we chose Signature. C's mental health has improved since he has been there, and he is eating better than he did at home. I doubt that any other place, certainly any other place we could afford, would have been better. This is why I give them five stars.

Edit-- The above review was written when C. was staying on the fifth floor, one of the floors for residents who can still take care of themselves to some degree. Eventually his dementia worsened to the point where he had to go to the sixth floor, where things got worse. C.'s possessions went missing several times, and I was not always informed about what was going on with C or changes in his condition. I discovered that the staff who care for the residents are outsourced, which I'm sure makes for less accountability all around. These types of caretaker jobs are difficult and poorly paid, and I am not at all sure that any other place would have been better, but I felt it was important to provide this additional...

Every positive comment about the Signature Senior Living facility seems to be misleading. This facility is truly disappointing and unacceptable. No one should have to live in such conditions. When I visited my father's room, I noticed the furniture was old and in disrepair. The bed was almost on the floor, and the mattress was sagging in the middle, offering no support for sleeping. I saw mold on a box next to his bedside and noticed a lack of space for hanging clothing, as there were only four drawers available. The floors were unclean, and the bathroom was even worse. I am surprised that this facility has not faced scrutiny for treating our loved ones this way. It is concerning to think that hard-earned pensions and social security income are being spent on a place like this. I have expressed my concerns to Director Tatiana and Assistant Director Rebecca. I am appalled that the beds were unmade and looked old and unclean. It is disheartening to think that any elderly person should have to live in such conditions. I left a 1-star review to share my thoughts, but I wish I could give it a...

The rooms are not clean. The furniture is old and a lot of maintenance is needed. Security is poor. Unequall treatment. Very much in need of an honest director and new staff members who are fair and compassionate. The eating menu should accommodate everyone'. A complete new staff is needed. Please Watch your family members finances. Get your love one out of this place.. Watch them while He or She is there. My Brother managed to walk out of this place. He had to o be taken to the hospital after being found on the street. His brand new wheel chair was switched. The first wheel chair was never given to Him. Victoria is the best staff member for contact they have...My Brother has sores on his legs and He has diabetes.The Board of Health need to come in this place. The Department of Social Security needs to make a complete investigation of how the funds are used in this place. Replace the Director of this place. He tells the patients He Is Their Bank, when asking about their finances. The employees knows what is going on but are afraid for...