Sand Sage of The Highlands Senior Living

I made the very hard decision to move my Mom into a memory care facility. I chose Sand and Sage because it is in the same town my parents lived in and my Dad could visit Mom daily. The staff in memory care showed my Mom so much love and care. They were amazing to my Dad everyday when he came to eat lunch with her. I visited often and saw how they cared for the residents there. My Mom passed away a month ago due to congestive heart failure. Sand and Sage was so kind and helpful during her last days. It meant so much to my family to see the genuine care they had for my Mom. I still go visit the residents and staff of memory care because I got to know them so well and want to keep those connections. I so appreciate the care Mom received there.

My review is for the memory care wing only. I am not familiar with the Assisted Living Side of this facility. I admitted my husband with Alzheimers in January of 2025. His 1st month was somewhat uneventful. By February his decline was rapid and alarming. His behaviors were ever changing and I began making notes and paying very close attention to his environment. I was told that they had regular activities in memory care however in the 4 months my husband was there I never witnessed any activities at all. Every time I went there the residents were seen in the hallway or common area room just sitting there watching something on TV and sometimes sleeping. Often times the lights were off , even in the middle of the afternoon. I witnessed no staff interaction with the residents at all. It was not uncommon on the weekends to not even see any staff anywhere. You know they are there somewhere?? Staff turnover was extremely high and very few wore name tags so trying to know even the names of people caring for your loved one was difficult. By mid March my husband would sometimes be in a zombie like state, would not speak, just staring into space, unable to communicate. Other days he would be better but his joy was zapped right out of him. Spent countless hours in his room with no one checking in on him and I know this because I had a camera in his room. I had to wake up a staff member sleeping in the dining room to get out of unit. I had to bang on a locked door with no response to leave the unit. I have had to hunt down someone to let me in. I had to supplement his bird size meal portions, i brought cleaning supplies to clean his room. I know my husband was in constant pain from advanced arthritis in his hip and I pleaded multiple times to try some kind of pain management. Making an alzheimers patient request pain meds is like expecting an infant to request a bottle. In April i had to go out of town and upon my return the water in his bathroom was disabled because he put paper down the sink supposedly and flooded his room. So for almost a month he could not wash his hands after toileting, brush his teeth or wash his face. When i asked staff how he could wash his hands or brush his teeth they said good question. Really, good question?? NO DIGNITY IN THAT!!! Imagine the horror when i found my husband had wiped himself with his hand and was desperately trying to turn on the water.to wash his hands. NOT ACCEPTABLE. I immediately started looking for a new facility. My husband's behaviors finally became unmanageable for the facility while I was still looking bit it became imperative to find a new facility and within a week i was ready to leave. Since moving him his bad behaviors are almost eliminated, he is feeding himself again, he can get as much food as wants, his room is cleaned daily & he participates in activities and smiles again. Sandsage memory care was a huge disappointment and I suffer from guilt in buying into there hype. I don't blame staff, I assume they are not really well trained in dementia care and the unit is understaffed. I blame management. Finding a place for your vulnerable loved one is very hard and personal. I have shared what my experience was.

I cannot be happier with my experience with Sand and Sage! They made a hard decision so much easier. I am confident that my mom will be safe AND happy with her new “adventure”. Thanks to the staff for all your hard work. Putting your residents needs first tells me all I need to know. I will be recommending your facility and services to others.