Yesterday, Sanders Ridge went above and beyond for our family in a way we will never forget.
My Mamaw is currently a rehab resident at Sanders Ridge and is wheelchair-bound. Her husband—my Papaw—was nearing the end of his life at a hospital in Louisville. Thanks to the incredible staff at Sanders Ridge, especially those who stepped in without hesitation and acted quickly, Mamaw was able to be transported to him to say goodbye.
This was something we weren’t sure would even be possible. But because of the compassion, creativity, and heart of the staff—especially those who helped coordinate transportation and support—Mamaw was able to hold his hand and be by his side as he took his final breath.
Their love story spanned decades. Words can’t fully express what that moment meant to our family. The team didn’t just provide care—they helped fulfill a final wish and brought comfort, dignity, and love to a heartbreaking moment. Their kindness allowed for a peaceful goodbye that brought healing to both of them, and to all of us who love them.
As an employee, I got to see firsthand—from the family’s side—just how powerful our “why” really is.
To my coworkers and leadership team: thank you. You didn’t just care for a resident. You fulfilled a final wish and gave our family a gift we will carry for the rest of our lives. Yesterday reminded me why I do what I do—and why I’m so proud to do it here.
With so much love and appreciation,
Ashley Lewis and Family
Memory Care
From day one, our experience with Sanders Ridge has been disappointing and, at times, distressing—especially when it comes to management, transparency, and the so-called “BFF” (Best Friends Forever) care model.
When I asked for memory care pricing, I was handed a torn piece of steno paper with four room numbers and different prices. There was no brochure, breakdown, or formal documentation—just vague references to room views and proximity to the nurse’s station.
We paid a hold fee for a memory care room and were told we could move belongings in after it was cleaned. Later, during an unprepared care meeting, we were informed my loved one could not go to that room due to needing more than one-person assist. Her condition had declined, making memory care services irrelevant. No one explained that placing her belongings in the room would convert the hold fee into rent. This was only resolved after multiple follow-ups.
She now resides in a rehab hall room, but we are still charged memory care rates—despite her not receiving memory care programming or cognitive therapy. Her condition does not allow her to participate in such services. We have not received any formal pricing or explanation of what the room rate includes.
Each month, unexpected and undocumented charges are added to the bill, including fall mats (used because bed rails are not allowed), oxygen machines (not used), wound care (not ordered by a doctor), wander bracelets (for non-ambulatory residents), and dining transport fees. There’s no transparency or prior notice. Charges seem to appear without explanation.
As her primary caregiver, along with a paid sitter, I help with feeding, dressing, and other support—but we do not do everything. This raises important questions: what care is the facility actually providing? Is she being encouraged to eat or at least drink the protein shakes we provide (not the facility)? We’ve seen no evidence this is consistently happening.
The facility promotes a 'BFF' approach that claims to foster connection and familiarity with patients—even nonverbal ones. In reality, most staff appear unaware of my mother’s history, personality, or preferences. Some nurses and aides go above and beyond, and many of the working-class staff—like maintenance and dietary—show compassion and effort. However, not all do. Leadership has been largely disorganized and unresponsive—with the notable exception of the Director of Nursing (DON), who has shown more competence and care than the rest of management combined.
We are a private-pay family, yet receive none of the clarity, consistency, or quality that should come with such a financial investment. Medicaid/Medicare residents receive flat rates, while private-pay families are charged piecemeal for everything—often without delivery of service.
To date, there is still no written outline of what services are included in the base rate or what levels of care cost. Everything is verbal, handwritten, or unverified.
If this review spares even one family from experiencing what we have, then it serves its purpose. Ask every question. Get everything in writing. Don’t be persuaded by philosophy without proof. Your loved one deserves dignity, and you deserve transparency.
****response from Sanders is to reach out to them, they have been multiple times and still do not present room rate charge sheets defining what is included, much less ancillary list. Ancillary’s are just added, billing does not ask or notify. ****
Provide requested information(simple task) then the discussion might happen. The room this week had major mold issues so much so she had to be moved to another room
