We chose Northlake House for my father after he suffered a mild stroke and began dealing with dementia, largely because of its close proximity to our home and the fact that it was initially more affordable than other nearby memory care facilities. In the beginning, our experience was positive. The staff emphasized their activities program, activity director, and the ways they would help keep residents engaged, active, and socially involved.
Unfortunately, over time, the experience declined significantly.
My father spent the majority of his time isolated in his room watching TV. Staff often described him as “one of their favorite residents because he keeps to himself,” but that was deeply concerning to us, not comforting. We repeatedly expressed that it was unhealthy for him to remain isolated all day and asked to be informed about activities so we could personally encourage him to participate. While staff stated they could not force him to leave his room, it felt like very little effort was made to truly engage him in activities that matched his interests. We were never contacted about extracurricular activities that he could partake in.
When we first moved him in, they offered more enriching outings and experiences outside the facility. Over time, activities became limited mostly to bingo, prayer groups, and walking. While those may appeal to some residents, they were never things my father enjoyed, so naturally he withdrew even more.
What ultimately pushed us to move him, however, were concerns surrounding his meals and overall care. My father sometimes avoided the dining room because he was uncomfortable around certain residents. Staff noticed when he missed meals, yet they would not bring food to his room unless specifically requested. This led to several situations involving low blood sugar and falls when trying to stand up and EMS being called. When we asked if occasional room delivery could be accommodated for his health and safety, we were told it was considered an “extra service” that required additional payment, even though this was not a daily request.
Administrative issues also became a constant frustration. Insurance paperwork was repeatedly lost or misfiled, forcing us to spend countless hours resolving billing issues, paying out of pocket, and waiting for reimbursement. In addition, the front desk was frequently unattended during normal daytime hours, often requiring nursing staff to come from the back to assist visitors.
There was also a persistent odor throughout the building that became difficult to ignore. After moving my father to another memory care facility, we realized this is not something that should simply be accepted as “normal.” His new facility is clean, welcoming, odor-free, and most importantly, engaging.
Since moving, the difference in my father has been incredible. He now participates in cornhole, coloring activities, social events, and regularly interacts with other residents. The staff even take residents on drives around town so they can stay connected to the outside world. He genuinely seems happier, more active, and more alive there.
I truly wanted Northlake House to work because of the convenient location, and there are staff members there who clearly care. However, between the constant staff turnover, administrative disorganization, lack of engagement, and what felt like reactive rather than proactive care, I ultimately cannot recommend this facility for memory care unless families are prepared to be heavily involved and constantly monitoring the situation themselves.
Our loved ones deserve more than simply being housed. They deserve to feel cared for, engaged, valued, and encouraged to live life to the fullest extent possible.
Our family has had a wonderful experience with Northlake House. My husband, who has Alzheimer’s, has been living there, and the care and compassion shown by the staff have been truly incredible. They treat residents with kindness, patience, and genuine respect, which gives our family so much peace of mind.
One thing that really stands out is the variety of activities offered every day. The staff works hard to keep residents engaged, active, and socially connected, and it’s clear they truly care about each individual’s quality of life.
I am so grateful for the loving environment they provide and for the dedication of everyone on the team. I highly recommend Northlake House to any family looking for compassionate memory care for a loved one.
