melody woods
Feb 2026
My father has been at Vernon Healthcare Facility for several months. I live five minutes away and visit frequently, which I truly believe made a difference in the level of attention he received. I can only imagine what it’s like for residents who do not have family checking in regularly. The facility often smells strongly of urine. Staff frequently do not greet visitors or appear engaged. There is a noticeable difference in cleanliness and attentiveness when supervisory staff are present versus evenings and weekends. I have personally reported concerns about other residents being visibly ill or dizzy. In one instance, a patient next door vomited after complaining of dizziness. I notified a nurse who said she would check on him, but shortly after I saw her outside smoking while he was still unattended. The ongoing issue with my father’s clothing has been unacceptable. When he arrived, he had approximately 16 outfits. I requested a lock for his closet to prevent items from going missing. The lock was repeatedly removed. Despite a sign stating I would wash his clothes myself, they were continually taken and never properly returned. Clothing would disappear and be replaced with items that did not belong to him — including women’s clothing and items clearly the wrong size. Today, I was called around 4 PM and informed that my father was being transferred to another facility at 7:30 PM because the doctor’s patients were being moved. When I arrived, he had only two shirts left that actually belonged to him. Out of approximately 16 outfits, almost everything is gone. A last-minute transfer with missing personal belongings is not acceptable. Families deserve transparency, dignity, and accountability for their loved ones. If you have other options, I strongly encourage you to explore them before placing someone here.
