Review of Quarters at Des Peres, The

Looks are deceiving “The Quarters at Des Peres” is bright and pretty and the food is good but I would advise any one with serious medical conditions to choose a different rehab facility. It’s hard to find first hand information about patient experience at any physical rehab or nursing home facility—why is this? More people should write reviews that could relieve suffering and potentially save lives. I hope this is what my THUMBS DOWN review of the Quarter in Des Peres will do. My father went to the quarters from Barnes Hospital with some pretty serious medical problems, which we were told they could handle. They couldn’t, and the nurses and assistants seemed to resent the level of care my dad needed and made him pay the price in bad attitude and dehumanizing treatment. After a good first week my dad started sliding due to an undiagnosed infection from the surgery which the nursing staff responded to by giving Tylenol for his fever symptoms. Over the next 2 weeks he gradually became severally dehydrated resulting in dementia like symptoms and plummeting cognitive functioning. This condition also went undiagnosed as simply dehydration and for almost a week he was given daily cognitive tests, which he failed, because his brain was starving for water and glucose. Not a large man to begin with, my father lost a total of 18 lbs. in the 3.5 weeks he was under the “care” of the Quarters. My dad’s “spirit” also became starved at The Quarters largely due to the gruff and inhuman treatment from drone like CNA’s and nurses ½ of which where headsets to dictate their treatment notes—they are so preoccupied with dictating into their headsets they do not stop to make eye contact or ask the patient how they are doing. Finally we took my dad to the ER, the admitting ER doctor took one look at him and said, “he’s dehydrated--dry as a bone!” After 5 days in the hospital with IV fluids and antibiotics he began recovering his mind, body and spirit. We then chose a different physical rehab facility, Barnes Extended Care—the level of medical care was night and day as well as the level of empathy and attention by the nurses and assistants. Most families go into these situations blind and they don’t know how to choose or how to compare. Now that I have had these 2 experiences in 2 different facilities I see there is a VAST difference in medical care and outcomes. These newer corporate facilities such as “The Quarters” that are in the business of grabbing Medicare $ attract patients by the “look and feel” of the place on first glance by hopeful family members. What I can say is that Barnes Extended Care is worn, the patient rooms are small, and the food just so-so but it is medically totally superior and the personality of the place is compassionate. Don’t be deceived by looks! And don’t be afraid to yank your loved one from a facility if you don’t see them thriving. And don’t be afraid to write reviews about what you experience to help others!