6 Independent Living Communities in Independence, Missouri

Melanie

When looking for a community for my mother, I found The Fountains to be heads above any other facility. The activities, security and safety were key issues for me. What ended up impressing me was the atmosphere. When walking through, almost every resident said hello and had a happy demeanor. The staff as well seem to be genuinely happy. My mother, who was not keen on leaving her home, spent a couple of trial nights. She loved the experience, and chose to move in. She commented as well on how happy everyone was, and that she felt safe there. They truly seem like a family. In talking one evening during the trial with the administrator and other residents, the administrator took a resident’s tennis shoes home to wash them. The interaction between the administrator and the residents speaks volumes. If you think a senior community is for people just biding their time, you’ll find this place to be the opposite. The residents are vibrant, interested in many things and as engaged as they choose. Safety, programs for health/security and the atmosphere made our decision easy. I wouldn’t have my mother just anyplace, and I feel she couldn’t be in a better place.

Karen

The rehab facility at Monterey Park Nursing Center wasn't the greatest, but they did what they were supposed to do. Most of the staff members were really nice. All the rooms were private. She should've been on a special diet, but they didn't have anything to offer for that. They were overpriced.

Emalee

Villages of Jackson Creek was a lovely place. It was just a little bit out of our price range and a little further from home. My mother-in-law was not ambulatory there for the longest time, so she wasn't participating in activities. They didn't make her get out of her room. Her room was very clean, and she never complained about the food. The staff was very friendly, caring, knowledgeable, and encouraging. I saw her trying to bring herself from chair to bed and get to the bathroom on her own. They did a lot for her.

Emalee

I would like my mother-in-law to be at The Fountains at Greenbriar; however, she wouldn't have been able to afford the a la carte services that she needed. It's a beautiful place. The one-bedroom apartment had a kitchenette, a nice-sized living room, and bedroom that could've fit a queen-size or even a king-size bed. It's newer, well kept, and overall very nice. They had a movie theater, movies going all the time, popcorn every afternoon at 1:00, and had a little afternoon activity like bingo or a tea party, and they provide transportation to the grocery store. The staff I met was very nice. They had various assistance that you can pay for like if you need help in the shower, get dressed, or get your medicine. It's a very nice facility. Everybody seemed happy and engaged.

Beverly

I was staying at the The Fountains at Greenbriar. It was bug ridden and I got food poisoning, so they had to close down the kitchen completely. They also were very cold to residents. I never felt welcome there at all. I paid over $1,600 a month and I got this little bitty room. When I moved in, the first thing I noticed was the carpeting. It was clean, but it looked dirty. I looked out the window and all I could see were big trash cans. I got food poisoning so bad I had to go to the hospital. The reason I know it's food poisoning was because I heard two nurses talking about people getting sick. They had a big TV room, a movie theater, a library, a computer room, and they give you two meals a day. The only staff member that was good to me was the cook. The facility was nice and clean except the kitchen. Up until I got sick, the food was great. I loved every meal I ate there.