Columbus Estates offers an independent, maintenance-free lifestyle with access to support services whenever necessary. Enjoy three chef-prepared meals a day, engage in activities, and explore local attractions, all in a homely, pet-friendly environment.
Columbus Estates is a senior living community that provides an Independent Living program with Supportive Services in lively Bakersfield, California.
Place is over charging the elderly! For the amount paid, the elderly should be in better living conditions. No functioning AC, food is not cooked well, understaffed. Poor workers and elderly! I give the workers props for doing what they can with what they have for the elderly.
I had my 88-year-old mom stay here for 5 years, in one of the 2BR 2BA cottages. I only had her move in with me in Texas when it became apparent she would need 24/7 care because of frequent falls and there is no family nearby. I wish I could give it 4.75 stars. The following is probably TMI, but if you’re looking here for a loved one and can’t visit many facilities in person, I tried to make all my comments objective and impartial.
PROS:
* The staff is caring, competent, cheerful and compassionate. I have stayed there with mom for extended periods of time, and they notice and investigate if normal patterns (like showing up for meals in the dining room or answering the door) are disrupted. Alarm bracelets and pendants are provided, but mom frequently would not wear hers.
* There are only two entrances in the main building, which is situated around a very large, park-like atrium. These entrances are either locked or manned at all times. In the main building they have many options – studios, one BR and two BR apartments. Sharing is allowed for an additional fee, making this facility more affordable for middle-class residents.
* During the pandemic, all meals were delivered in order to decrease exposure. They care about the residents’ safety.
* By today’s standards, this facility is outstanding for the money.
I have investigated many, many senior facilities and some cost twice as much, have inadequate staff and are not nearly as comfortable for residents that are not used to opulence.
* The cottages have full kitchens and many have laundry appliances in the units. In the main building, there are kitchenettes and free laundry facilities available on every floor, but their availability is limited (as are public laundromats).
* They allow small pets — this is very important for people who live alone in order to reduce isolation and depression.
* The only expenditures we paid were for Internet and phone land lines. Mom’s mobile phone is part of my own plan, but she wanted her land line too. Spectrum basic cable is provided but premium channels and internet require a Spectrum account, which is billed separately.
* For a very small fee residents can have their included meals delivered to their door, rather than eating in the main dining hall. There are also many restaurants nearby; Italian, American, Japanese, Chinese, Denny’s and many others that deliver, usually with Door Dash or a similar service which have their own fees.
* Online shopping items and other mail that is too large for the boxes provided can be received at the reception area. Also Walmart, Target, Fashion Plaza, etc. are very close; I’m talking within a very few blocks.
* There is covered parking for a small fee and the free, uncovered parking has extra space for visitors and those residents that drive.
* There are exercise sessions with related equipment available; games and crafts; field trips that include entertainment and restaurants. Events and menus are printed monthly.
* There is transportation at designated times for shopping and doctors appts.
* There are personal assistants that often take on part time work for residents that do not need full time care.
CONS:
* I have had several meals there and they were mostly nutritious and varied, if somewhat bland (probably of necessity) and heavier on carbs than protein.
* Employee parking is on Columbus Street and their cars and trucks block seeing oncoming traffic.
* Some amenities like tomatoes for the salads and the serving of yeast rolls have been discontinued.
* Some community activities (like getting local artists to perform once a week) were discontinued when COVID struck, but I’m hoping will be reinstated.
* New Atria management employees should be better acquainted with contract agreements that were put in place before they took over Holiday. I did make some important decisions hastily based on information that was not accurate because Atria’s contracts are different from when mom came to stay.
I miss my grandfather…
Overall I think that the facility is very good and so is the staff. The food is very good and they do offer free activities. My only concern is that they don’t provide a security guard at night to watch over the grounds and for confuses tenants who leave the premises and then they get locked out.