So I gotta visit ManorCare Lynnwood last Tuesday for my grandma’s placement check. Figured I’d share the messy truth, cause nobody tells you this stuff up front.
Getting There & Parking
First thing hit me? That parking lot. Pulled in expecting easy street parking or something. Nope. Tiny lot jam-packed with staff cars. Circled twice like a idiot before spotting two visitor spots tucked in the far corner, right next to a big sign screaming “15 MINUTE LIMIT! VIOLATORS TOWED!” Seriously felt like I was parking in a war zone zone.
Signing In at the Front Desk
Walked inside to this little reception area. Lady there looked stressed. Asked who I was seeing, shoved a clipboard at me with maybe five forms clipped together. “Sign everywhere flagged yellow,” she said, already looking past me. Took me ten minutes just to find all the yellow flags. Felt rushed the whole time. Tip? Bring your own dang pen. They had one plastic junk pen chained to the desk. Barely worked.
What Actually Matters Inside
Saw a few folks visiting in the main area later. Couple on a bench near a window looked okay, but staff kept hovering around them. Overheard the nurse say “visiting hours technically end at 7:30” to someone who got up – it was 7:10! Seemed harsh. Later asked about the bathroom for visitors. Massive shocker: it’s not near the lobby. You gotta practically walk halfway to the nurses’ station. Took ages to find.
Also, tried asking about basic comfort stuff for grandma – like, does she need her own pillows? Nurse kinda brushed it off with “We provide all necessities.” Didn’t really let me ask. Frustrating.
That Thing About Comfort
My uncle met me after. Asked about his sister-in-law staying here. He just sighed. “Bring tissues,” he mumbled. Saw the coffee machine later. Looked more complicated than my router setup. Water cooler was tucked away. Just weird.
The Quiet Extra Fee
Right before leaving, grandma casually mentions they “help get her things from storage.” Sounds nice, right? Turns out they charge $25 every time someone fetches her own photo albums from the locked cabinet down the hall. Nobody told us upfront. Found the fee schedule buried in the admission papers I signed near the bad pen.
Wish someone gave it to me straight before going. So here’s my boiled-down mess:
- Parking is basically Hunger Games. Get there early, watch the clock.
- Bring your own pen for paperwork hell. Theirs sucks.
- Find the visitor bathroom FIRST. Trust me.
- Push back if they rush your questions. You’re allowed to ask about pillows and stuff.
- Ask “Does this cost extra?” about EVERYTHING. Storage? Yup.
Walked out feeling tired, not reassured. Hope this saves someone the headache.
