Bickford of Portage
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Pay My BillReal Residents, Real Reviews
Knowing who to trust in this journey is hard — especially when your loved one’s health and happiness are at stake.
A letter from Andy Eby Andy Eby Caregiver/Sales & Marketing
The decision to consider senior living is never an easy one. You’re looking for caregivers to help with situations that may have you feeling exposed and powerless. We understand that this is a vulnerable time for your family.
Here at Bickford, we believe that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength.
We honor the courage it takes for seniors and families to navigate the aging journey and we believe we owe you our vulnerability in return.
That’s why we display real reviews from our residents, both positive and negative. We’re not interested in cherry-picking feel-good comments from casual visits.
We aim to earn your trust by showing the full spectrum of feedback from internal monthly surveys of our residents and families. This is an uncommon practice in our industry.
Many of the reviews you’ll see are positive, serving as a testament to our “whatever it takes” commitment to helping residents live their best lives.
We interpret negative reviews through two lenses: First, some contain hard truths. It hurts to hear, but sometimes we deserve it. This feedback sharpens us, allows us to see where we fall short, and demands that we get better.
Second, some reviews arise from the unbearable emotional pain families feel as they watch a loved one decline. In these situations, our caregivers may bear the brunt of unrealistic expectations. As the saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.”
We trust your discernment to distinguish between the two. Feel free to ask us about any review that raises questions or concerns. We believe that trust isn’t built on a facade of perfection but on honesty about our successes and challenges.
Thank you for considering placing your trust in us.
Andy Eby
Reviews for Bickford of Portage
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Reviews with Comments
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The aides are wonderful!! They are patient and kind to the residents. There aren't enough of them in MaryB's....they are so overworked due to the residents' needs. The director needs to go! I emailed her on Sunday night about my mom's missing belongings ( they have her name on them) and about when the podiatrist would be coming to trim toenails. It's now Friday and she hasn't responded yet! She is not a good fit for Bickford. The price has gone up and Bickford DID NOT step up and wash my mom's hair on Christmas Eve when Hospice didn't come that day, her normal shower day. The price is going up and the service is going down.
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You made mistakes on the first billing cycle; the family coordinator still hasn't added my email to receive the monthly activity calendar after 2 requests; the TV system was down for a week plus with no communication on that or how that credit would show on monthly billing. And your electronic billing statements arrive less than a week before due date, which is ridiculous.
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Not enough staff in memory care
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Why should I give feedback? Every time I give feedback back on things that aren't right, nothing ever happens. It's a waste of my time
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Glad to see that management is staffed again. I have high hopes for our new wellness coordinator.
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My mom is not being showered on regular basis, her shoes are on the wrong feet with mismatched socks and I see her in the same clothes for days or until I have helped her change them. I have spoke with staff about this multiple times. Besides that most of the staff is wonderful and it is a beautiful facility. I know my mom is safe there.
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The staff at Bickford of Portage is great and show care and concern for my parent. I notice there are only 2 staff (a med tech and care worker) in the memory care area many times when I am with my parent. I wish there were 3. Majority of care homes have 3 dedicated staff at all times in a memory care area. It would be nice if the Bickford of Portage staff were better supported by management. The phone system is terrible! If no one answers the line will disconnect. If someone does answer and I need to be transferred, the phone disconnects. I have called other branches of Bickford and they have an automated system so atleast you can leave a message. I have to call multiple times in order to be able to speak to someone about my parent. If I get a call from Bickford of Portage and miss it, it is very frustrating to call them back. Other care homes have dedicated lines and options to get in touch with caregivers.
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Working hard on new staffing!!! Appreciate many of them. Very disappointed that my mom's pants keep disappearing and we have had to buy more every other week. Keeps happening even though we pay for laundry & nothing ever returns to her room. Have had no resolution to this problem that has been occurring for the past months!
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Score of 3 for Bickford Management | We are disappointed with how overwhelmed the portage staff has seemed with the additional duties and work hours caused by the loss of the portage branch director and nurse. | I would hope you are providing extra compensation or a bonus for the Portage med techs who have to work without leadership during all the transitions. The Portage Mary B staff as well as the Portage Assisted Living staff are excellent and we appreciate them everyday. I hope the Bickford Management does too.
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There aren't enough aides in Mary B's for the needs of the residents. There always needs to be 3 people on a shift. Lacey is wonderful and is vey proactive and helpful. She's very in tune with the residents' needs.
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Very excited about the hiring of our new executive director. We know she is committed to the residents and Bickford. I also believe we will have someone that will stay and is committed. Now if we could just find a good nurse that will stay.
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Staff ignores call bells consistently. Client left with pull ups on and no pants. When discussed with director, she stated it was clients choice. Asked if she talked to her about it she said no. I can absolutely tell you this is incorrect. Client is wheelchair dependent and has limited movement. Staff leaves her sitting forever, up to an hour, after meals then rolls her in front of community TV, leaving her in her w/c instead of assisting her back to her room and her chair. Do not like current director and glad to see her go (name removed) but why is there such a turnover of directors. Call me,(name removed)
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Very very long call light wait times Shortage of staff and staff seemed burnt out not appreciated Newer staff need better training of care plans
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I know it is hard but hopefully Bickford is working on getting back to pre Covid staffing and care
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(name removed), the activities Director in Mary B's is phenomenal. She is so kind and loving to each of the residents. I can tell she truly cares about them.
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Poor management. Complaints about my sister being left without pants on. Director stated that was patients right!!!!! She never asked for that, was embarrassed when family found. I'm certain staff made her uncomfortable to ask for being fully clothed. Many other issues. Very displeased.
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Bickford has been a Godsend to our family! I have been so impressed with the care, communication and concern the staff has shown to my older brother since his arrival less than a year ago. I am more than pleased.
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The Director for Bickford of Portage is doing a great job of making good decisions and creating a good staff. Communication is much better. She listens and takes action. The Happiness Coordinator (name removed) is a blessing, she is always available and works well with the residents.
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The staff does a wonderful job making sure my mom gets her puréed food.
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Mom feels like the staff have favorites. The staff seem not to be as responsive at times or there doesn't seem to be enough staff.
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We appreciate how (name removed), Executive Director at Portage, communicates with the families and the care and concern her team has for the residents.
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I am so thankful mom is staying at Bickford Portage. My wife and I can travel worry free knowing mom is well cared for by Bickford's staff and safe. I was particularly grateful for her safety during the recent tornado's in Portage
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I'm so pleased with the direction Bickford of Portage is heading under the leadership of executive director (name removed). She has made big difference in a short time for this branch. The communication hasn't been this good since my mom's first year there three years ago. With family advocate (name removed) and happiness coordinator (name removed) has a great support team to take this branch to a higher level. Keep up the good work.
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Lack of help
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Bickford has substantially met my expectations in regard to the care of my older brother. They are continually trying to raise the bar for excellence in what they do. I am extremely confident that at this time my brother is in the right place to meet his needs. I would highly recommend Bicford to others looking for a safe and caring place in the realm of assisted living home care. | Oops! Sorry, left the K out of Bickford!
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I really appreciate the improved communication! It started with (name removed) weekly updates and continued with (name removed) weekly updates. It's nice to know what's going on and learn of upcoming events. Thank you, (name removed)
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(name removed) and the other girls in Mary B were so good with my mom in her last days - we are so thankful for the wonderful care she received at Bickford!
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Staff are very kind and patient with my mom. I feel she is well looked after.
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The staff has been doing a great job of taking care of my mom and seeing that her needs are met. We talk often and that helps me monitor her needs and well-being too.
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The staff at Bickford is so amazing with my mom
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Mom would like more activities
Did you know
Most senior living communities don’t share internal reviews
Know the Real Residents, Real Reviews Difference
Our Reviews
Real Residents, Real Reviews
- From verified residents & families
- Unfiltered
- Solicited monthly
- Current, ongoing & up-to-date
Other Reviews
Google, A Place for Mom, etc.
- Can be written by anyone
- Often come from people who don’t actually live there (i.e. just came for a tour)
- Reflect a static, one-time experience
- Partial picture
Why other senior living communities don’t share internal reviews
- Most communities don’t solicit reviews on a monthly basis. Most surveys are annual and used for internal purposes only.
- They’re caring for a frail, vulnerable population 24/7/365. Healthcare, by its very nature, can be messy, especially when you’re on around the clock. Service failures are almost inevitable in this context.
- They know that some of the comments aren’t necessarily accurate
- They don’t have the courage to be vulnerable. They want to control how prospective families see them.
- They’re afraid it would hurt their sales and marketing efforts
- They don’t trust the consumer to be able to handle the truth
Did you know
Bickford Senior Living’s happiness score is 2x the national average
Reviews FAQ
Bickford residents and families have frequent opportunities to participate in providing feedback throughout the year. Bickford sends out a comprehensive annual survey evaluating all aspects of a residents experience. Following this survey, Bickford sends out a monthly survey to see if we are making progress on improving their happiness levels. The responses to both surveys are posted on the website and remain there for a year.
Bickford is committed to transparency. That means posting all feedback – both positive and negative. Every review is included in our overall score (star-rating). However, we do not post comments that are libelous, profane or risk violating the privacy of our residents.
A Bickford Verified Resident Review is a review provided by a resident or family member/significant other that has been verified by Bickford as an authorized individual. Individual names are protected for privacy reasons.
Bickford has developed a program to improve resident happiness based specifically on the scores and comments of the surveys. Each Branch sets goals to improve targeted areas identified from the surveys. The actions that need to be taken are discussed as a part of each shifts daily stand-up meeting.
Due to the unique and personalized nature of our business, responses to reviews, if requested, happen individually.
I would say 4.5. There are so few residents in Mary B right now that the ratio is manageable for the excellent, hard working staff. It's so important for the people working in the memory care area to truly know the residents and all their dementia quirks, and the staff we have now is fabulous!! Please clean the yellow couches though.