The Cottages At University Place

Hugh B.

2020-11-13

Great facility with an awesome staff.  I would strongly recommend the Cottages.  They have done a wonderful job during COVID.

Cheryl H.

2018-10-15

When we were researching a memory care home for our loved one we were so impressed with what we were told the Cottages offered. Things such as individualized memory care plan, homemade bread baked every day to give the residence the feel and smell of home, daily activities the residents would participate in, showers 3xs a week, delicious sounding meals. It sounded perfect. What we experiences was the total opposite. We were told that at this time they really didn't have individual memory care plans, that they were "working on" getting daily activities set up. Her sheets were not changed for a month and then changed only when I complained. One time I checked her bed only to find no sheets and a urine soaked bed pad and blanket. There were next to no activities for the residents. Urine soaked laundry sitting in rooms. Her "clean" laundry smelled of feces and urine. I had to start taking her laundry home and had to throw several items away because the smell would not wash out. Most every time we visited, which was at least 4 times a week, many residents would sleep with their head on the dining table. Residents were too often ignored by the caregivers. Residents were left in their beds  because there wasn't a worker there that could lift them. Many of the caregivers were so unfriendly.  Residents had nothing to do but sleep or watch tv. For the amount of money we spent every month we thought she'd have better meals that a frozen pot pie for  or a bowl of soup. She often was covered in the food she'd spill on herself because no one bothered to clean her up. Her hair was often so greasy it was plastered to her head as were many other residents. She sat in her own urine, her teeth were not brushed. One caregiver was so harsh with the residents, putting them to bed for the night at 6:00 if she got angry..another thing we witnessed more than once. I was leaving one evening, after dark and found a resident sitting in her wheelchair in the rain crying because she couldn't find her way back to the cottage. I brought her back to her cottage where that harsh worked scolded her and told her to get a grip and calm down.  She shouted at those sweet residents many times in our presence.  Residents that hit other residents and visitors was something else we witnessed. The caregivers never once intervened, I had to stop the hitting. Our complaints to director Mary Susan Lotte were met with nothing but excuses time after time. After 4 months of this, seeing our loved one become increasingly depressed and withdrawn we moved her to a new facility, Hearthside Manor where she is so well cared for. I witnessed her laughing for the first time in months.

Adam B

2021-07-01

My mom is in this facility and the staff has been wonderful to her. She has lived at the cottages for about three years. The facility is beautiful and I especially appreciate the fact that the residents can go outside and relax in the beautiful outdoor area. The food is very good and the portions are appropriate for each person. I especially appreciate the fact that snack are provided throughout the day. I would strongly recommend the cottages for your loved one.

John Tevis

2021-01-01

Echoing comments from another reviewer, we recently moved our mother to the Cottages from another memory care facility in the area and the difference is like night and day. The administrative staff are super attentive, the buildings and grounds are home-like and well-kept and the care-takers seem to really care about the residents. And though I haven't tried the food, every time I've been over there the cooking odors coming from the kitchen smell delicious. Bravo.

R Lad

2021-01-01

What an amazing, compassionate facility. We had to move my mom because of lack of care she was receiving at another Assisted Living. The Cottages were so kind and went out of their way to make this upsetting situation as stress free as they possibly could.We are able to FaceTime with our Mom and can check on her at any time. Our family can now be assured our Mom is in the best possible situation.Thank you to the Cottages for their support and reassurance. Our family appreciates you!

Always Epic

2021-01-01

I have been to several Memory Care communities and this one always smells clean and has attentive staff. They continue to maintain a great reputation in the Tacoma area! Thank you for serving our seniors with compassion and grace!

vanessa Becker

2021-01-01

This community has the potential to be an amazing community as it once was. High turn over within the last few months in the administration office. The LPN they hired for the nursing director is a joke and falsifies care and tasks that has been done. The administrator they last hired is more interested in making friends in the office then actually doing her job. As I've seen all of this first hand and was eventually terminated for it as well as a fellow coworker. Hopefully someone who knows what they are doing will take over the positions very soon. The direct care staff is amazing. Most of the med techs do an exceptional job.Overall a good place to put your loved ones as long as you are on top of the director's and are verifying everything.

Julie Bailey

2020-01-01

Thank you, thank you, thank you Cottages at U.P. The administrative team is excellent. You made a very sensitive transition so easy. You all the have biggest hearts for the family's that unfortunately have a family member going through this memory disease. And to the caregivers,, your compassion is unmeasurable. Mom is adjusting so well. We as a family can realax in knowing she is cared for and loved. Your entire team is a Blessing in our world. Thank you♡

David Epler

2019-01-01

First time ever writing a lengthy review. I feel it is necessary. My mother lived with me and my sig.other for three years. Mom's Dementia got to the point we could not properly care for her at home. We toured several facility's and chose The Cottages at University Place. Moved Mom in on Halloween of this year after an eleven day hospital stay. Mom is doing excellent. My partner and I did have an issue and it is being taken care of. Bottom line is my Mom is happy there. She is being taken care of by a staff of devoted workers. I have no doubts this is where my Mom needs to be. I would recommend anyone looking for a memory care facility to take a tour, and see for yourself. The place is beautiful and the simple layout makes living there easy for someone suffering from dementia.

Devon Smith

2019-01-01

I’m currently looking for a memory care facility for our grandma. Not knowing where to start, so I looked to google. I read through these reviews and there seems to be a lot of drama. The time frame shows that a negative review was done a few days ago and then a bunch of reviews about Mary Susan being wonderful followed. One person went so far to slander the person who wrote a negative review. This and the comment about harassment leads me to believe that Mary Susan is fueling this flood to drown out the bad review. We have enough going on and don’t need this. Very unprofessional.

Dan Beckman

2019-01-01

Marysusan is an incredible director, and will ALWAYS be an advocate for her residents!

Mike Auvil

2019-01-01

Marysusan is an amazing and compassionate person, this facility, it’s residents and their families are so lucky to have her caring for their loved ones. She has helped my friends and family on many occasions!! #Marysusanrocks!

Armond Moore

2019-01-01

Very nice facility ...Marysusan one of my favorite administrators ever i had a chance to work with her for sometime at another facility she always spoke to me kind and with good intentions accepted me to be apart of her team and her facility as an employee of hers i just want to say you do a really awsome job i would not trade her for anyone else .You are very professional and the best at what you do when it comes to the residents and staff as well anytime im allowed a position to work for her or just stop in and check in on her i will always take that opportunity your the best and keep up the good work ...

Luke Courtney

2019-01-01

I have known Marysusan both personally and professionally for many years. There is no one I trust more to care for my loved ones than her. Her compassion and integrity are unmatched and she ensures those traits shine through in the staff that she works with.

Lancy Canley

2019-01-01

As a current employee of the Carepartners team for the last 7 years I have worked at most of our buildings and I am fortunate to be able to say that I have worked closely as a family and team member with Marysusan, as a boss, and now friend.We share the same beliefs and values when it comes to our residents and it sincerely comes from the heart.As we all know taking care of the residents takes a lot of time and patience and and it shows in The Cottages Of University Place, the staff are happy to work as a team and Marysusan works very hard to interview to make sure that those she hires want to work for her and the Carepartners team as a family and not just as a job, that is very important because we are in the home of the residents that we take care of and are with the majority of the time. A lot of planning goes into the activities along with daily meals and sometimes even changes to the current plan to fit the residents needs.I am proud to have worked very closely with her and all of the staff at The Cottages of University Place to make life as easy and happy as we can for such an important time in the lives of those we care so much for.

Danielle Christianson

2019-01-01

Marysusan Iotte is a tremendously ethical, wonderful, and thoughtful individual who is highly proficient at her work. I appreciate her heart for those she serves and cares for.

Susan Chittenden

2019-01-01

After much research, my Dad and I decided to move my Mom to The Cottages at University Place. We are so happy we did! The staff was amazing and caring, and we knew she was well cared-for and loved. Between my Dad, daughter and I someone was there to see Mom every day. We knew she was safe, respected and attended to. Last Thanksgiving they served a wonderful dinner to families who could not bring their loved one home for the holiday. They also made sure Christmas was festive and enjoyable for the residents. When Mom had a stroke and was moving through the final month of her life, Marysusan and her staff looked for ways to ensure she could get the nutrition she needed when she was unable to eat solid food. They were kind and compassionate and took amazing care of my Mom, as well being kind and supportive of my Dad and I during our loss. I am so glad she lived there and would wholeheartedly recommend this residence for anyone looking for a wonderful place for their loved one to be safe and cared for.

Linda DeVoe

2019-01-01

It’s all wonderful, as long as you don’t report a problem...

Cynthia DeMulling

2019-01-01

Mary Susan is a wonderful director and so helpful when I needed additional information to help me be successful with my decision making. She showed the utmost compassion to me in my time of need and I can highly recommend this community. I felt unsure if I was making the right decision and she helped me see that it would allow me to be a daughter again and not a caregiver, more time that my mom would appreciate instead of being frustrated. I felt so relieved and have found the care staff loving and attentive to my mom and her needs. I'm glad I took their advice and would highly recommend this community.

Lynessa Stone

2019-01-01

The Cottages of U.P. is run by a very caring staff and manged by people I have known within the senior care community for many years. Mary Susan and Susan are wonderful, caring, and competent people who actively advocate for seniors and those living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I have never seen anything but them putting the needs of their residents first. They are adamant about giving the best possible care to their residents and support all families and potential families in making the best possible decision when it comes to their loved one; even if it means the answer is not their community. Talk to any current families who have loved ones there and see - this is a great community.

jan sylvester

2019-01-01

My former neighbor's family selected The Cottages at UP when the progression of her dementia meant the need for specialized care and accommodations. It is a wonderful place with caring and capable staff!