The Ridge at Miamisburg

The staff at River Oaks, specifically the Executive Director, Tricia Cline and the Director of Nursing, Monica Segrist and the entire team saved my mother's life. My 95 year old mother's has dementia and a tired heart. She was at a different facility. At that nursing home my mother was given morphine for what I can only assume was to keep her quiet. After MULTIPLE falls in a three week period, leaving her at the ER alone, not insuring she ate and being told she was actively dying, I had to remove her from the unsafe situation. I was fortunate enough to find River Oaks and Tricia who took my frantic calls. We were so fortunate they had a room for my mother. When we arrived, EVERY staff respectfully introduced themselves and welcomed her. I watched my mother's trauma from the previous experience begin to melt away. It has been a month and my mother has blossomed. Her skin is clear. Her stitches are gone. Her bruises and skin tears from the other facility have healed. Her mind, though slipping away, is less agitated. And to date, no falls. Why is River Oaks better? Let's start with the culture which begins with leadership. Ms Cline fosters in her team a sense of respect, compassion and fun for ALL residents. Dementia and Alzheimers is hard for EVERYONE. One's tone of voice and demeanor can change the world - especially for one who lives with this condition. There is a specific way to approach a resident and the staff understands and has the proper training. In addition, the work flow is smarter! One example: There is a central desk which is alerted to a need; staff carries walkie talkies; and EVERYONE responds to an emergent need. At the other facility, there was a revolving door of staff; staff would often not respond to calls for care; expressed they did not work on "that hall" when I needed help; and scolded my mother for needing assistance to the bathroom. I hate that we are unable to care for my mother at home. Knowing the River Oaks team is caring for her has not only eased my worry and concern for my mother's safety and well-being, it has given my mother back her life - one that will end when the time comes, but NOT because a staff person neglected her need. No facility is perfect and navigating this end of life and illness is distressing. Find a team and a facility who will listen to and work with you. If you are fortunate, perhaps that will be River Oaks. See you there, as I believe my mom may live to see 100!

My wife has been here for 1.5 years. Things were good when I first moved her in, then kept going downhill. About 6 months in, I gave notice that I was going to move her out at which time I heard that the current Director was leaving and a new one would replace her. So, not wanting to put my wife through moving to a new place, I waited to see if things would change with new management. Our new Director got here last July and I am very glad that I waited. While it has taken time, things have improved enormously, there is still staff turnover, but the better caregivers are staying, unlike with the previous management. Everything is not perfect, but the care team and management do their best to make life better for their residence.