My Review of Avalon Care Facility, Federal Way, Washington

Avalon is a rehabilitation facility as well as long term nursing facility in Federal Way, Washington. I first heard of it when my mother was placed there after a massive stroke left her hospitalized for three weeks at Auburn Regional Hospital in Auburn, WA. It was determined that my mom needed to continue physical therapy to continue to improve from the stroke. She was wheelchair bound and barely able to move. She could talk and remember some things, like her daughters when we visited. But her long term memory was a little sketchy and her speech was slurred at times. So her family agreed that therapy would be beneficial.

Before her transfer I checked out the facility Web site. The facility is a part of a health care group that has locations in five states, and several locations in Washington State. I was very impressed by the Web site.

First impressions are as vital for a business or facility as they are for people. Avalon presents a very decent first impression. The parking lot is somewhat small but not tiny. The curb appeal at the entry is pretty. The lobby is grand, with a piano and a seating area. After I got past the reception area I felt a little more like I was in a hospital but it was not uncomfortable. The nursing desk was a little bit of a mad house but that seems to be true at most places. My mothers room was fairly clean. Even though she was mostly blind my mom noted on my second visit that the furniture was pretty, but mismatched and a little worn. She thought people using wheelchairs, and maybe learning to use wheelchairs, were hard on the furniture.

My mom spent twenty days at Avalon. The staff was wonderful. They encouraged we bring a few things to make my mother comfortable. We brought her ice cream once. I made her a lapghan from crocheted squares to help keep her warm. We brought her lotion and a picture book of all the family so she could show off her family to staff. That was supposed to be part of her therapy, to be able to recite her family members.

However, she had very little actual therapy. We were puzzled and worried because there was no plan presented for her therapy. When she went to Avalon from the hospital she'd been eating solid foods for almost a week. In her first few days at Avalon she ate solid foods. I was present at some of her meals, like a taco salad on the very first night of her stay. But when her family asked about any improvements they could show us from being at the facility the only one they could list was an upgrade to solid foods. That didn't sound logical.

We grew annoyed because every time a family member went to visit our mother was in bed, usually in a gown from one or two days ago, with her hair uncombed. We never witnessed any therapy going on. It was the wonderful nurses aides or her daughter who made sure she got cleaned up and cared for. Mom never remembered any therapy that she got there. In fact, she seemed to digress. So one of her daughters took her home, set up therapists to visit and Mom started to improve. She sat up, often times in her wheelchair, for hours at a time. Her daughters and grandchildren engaged her in simple games that allowed her to redevelop the use of her right hand enough to feed herself or hold a cup for a few minutes and drink from it. She was washed every day and wore clean, real clothes instead of hospital gowns. Her improvement was amazing. It was what we wanted from Avalon, but didn't get.

As I've said, the facility of Avalon is clean. Once or twice I noticed spots on the floor, but it is a medical facility and a busy one. It presents a good image. I didn't mention it yet, but the food was presented well. My mother enjoyed many of the meals they served. My mother ate in bed at Avalon. Although I didn't see it from the inside, the dining room looked as elegant as the front lobby did. It would be a pleasant place to eat, I believe. I noticed they also have a movie theater. There's a sun room where residents can visit with family that is very pleasant. Likely Avalon would be a good long term nursing facility for somewhat who doesn't have high expectations of improving very much. However, if you're looking for a place to regain strength and skills I would recommend you demand a clear cut plan on how to do that and insist that it be followed, if you can. Otherwise, you might want to compare your options with other facilities.