Avalon Care Center - Honolulu

Nursing facility in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii...

When my auntie was discharged from Pali Momi Medical Center, she was brought to Avalon Care Center. I had never heard of it before, so I went to visit... several times.

Parking was tight, but I was lucky to find a space every time! Maybe I visited at unpopular times?

I was given an option for the orientation. In person or by phone... I chose a phone interview because I wasn't sure about the parking. Staff seemed competent, and they offered options and let me ask questions.

Inside, the facility was clean, and the staff were friendly and had good communication skills. Auntie even commented that the food was tasty!

When auntie was discharged to home, I asked if she could go back to Avalon because she had Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, exercise activities, BINGO, etc.
Shucks... there are no Long Term Care beds there. Awww...

I was able to attend a Caregiver Training to see how auntie transferred from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to toilet, wheelchair to car, and auntie even walked with a walker! What progress!

Thanks for all you did for my auntie! She enjoyed the facility!

Was debating on whether or not I should do a few reviews on a few care centers we had family member and close friends stay for a short period of time for rehab.
I decided to put 2 stars instead of 1 star to get people's attention and also for the staff that actually do good here.
Our family member was sent here as they are the only few that would take patients in after the hospital with the needs and conditions medication etc. So our choices are limited compared to a better condition person.
The outcome was to be rehabilitated back into walking condition after a medical condition that made em sleepy.
Well come to find out they do things on a set schedule. Food for instance, if you're sleeping you miss out. Important meds, not awake you miss them as well.
After a few weeks of ups and downs, minimum PT. BTW the pt was great did do good when was able to. Few of the nurse and Dr was informing.
Well time was up and was being released. Go there to pickup and patient was practically out cold. Like not normal but can't do anything as they were released and if they were to take them back you'll be charged out of pocket.
Called our PCP Doc about the situation and told us if next day not the same go ER.
They released the patient who was practically almost unresponsive like they were sedated. We had such a hard time taking them out the car and into the wheelchair like dead weight
Next day at ER they told us he had multiple bruises. One on leg and had a blood clot that needed to be treat. Also had a big bruise on body near kidney and was told kidney was failing, probably from not taking the medications needed as well.
I know a lot of these places are all similar. It's your job career choice to want to help people. Not be in it for only the money. Makes your think would they do the same to their own family member?
Even the competent roommates were saying how terrible the place is. People always screaming like they want out
So my thing for people out there. Research and read into places before sending loved ones there. Unfortunately the good places out there are usually fully booked or cost way too much for normal everyday people to make it in there.
If you do have to send someone places like here. Check on them daily, talk to others around there to let you know what's going on when visiting hours are over!

They have the most terrible care.

They don't answer calls.

They don't answer patient calls.

They leave them freezing and sitting in shit.

If I could give 0 stars I would.

If you don't care about your family me member then send them here.

One star is generous

My mom was sent there via Pali Momi today. Why? Because there are limited beds to service people in this State. My mom is being cared for by a ruthless condescending Nurse or aid. Spoke with the nurse manager about her rude employee and it went in one ear and out the other. We asked to speak with the Director of Nursing - no call! My mom wants to leave. She's there to get better. NOT TO BE TREATED LIKE A DAMN PRISONER ‍If your nurse /aid hates her job, tell her to QUIT!! This world has enough assholes! My family DOES NOT NEED this bonehead caring for my mom!! Avalon ~ put your staff in check

One star for the overworked and fantastically good and caring social worker Chanelle. (I think that was her name, sorry if I got it wrong, but she's truly amazing; if this review was only for her, 10/10.)

Otherwise I'd give this facility negative stars. My mom was sent here after a surgery to recover. No PT unless I called multiple times and they finally begrudgingly helped her for about 5 minutes one time. They did not help her shower even after we all asked several times. They put her in a room with a roommate who had some serious mental problems and tried to attack another roommate with a broken pair of glasses, the cops came, my poor mother was terrified, the whole shebang.

"Visiting hours"... they give you about 20 minutes crammed together on a patio in the parking lot with all the smokers. Gross and scary in Covid. Staff is irresponsible and lazy and "lost" the cash my mom had them hold for her.

Please stay away. This is more like a long term board and care for elderly with mental illness than for sweet little old people recovering from surgery. I could not spring her fast enough.

Don't send your loved ones here, unless you want them to feel abandoned.
This is how I felt and wrote this line immediately after my grandmother passed away in Avalon.
After some time I am able to write this with a more objective view and not so emotionally.

My grandmother had been here for 2 years and passed away while in the the care of Avalon.
My mom and aunty were main contacts, but due to COVID were not able to be in contact with my grandmother as frequently as they'd prefer. Yes, they'd have a Facetime session here and there. Prior to COVID, my mom and aunty were there pretty much everyday. If it weren't them, it would be one of their other siblings. Bottom line, someone went to see her everyday, if not twice a day. We'd have lunch and/ or dinner with her. She was never lonely.
I get it, it's COVID and there are restrictions. It was a very lonely time. Within the 1 year of COVID and visitation limitations, it was pretty evident that my grandmother was looking "older." Her hair had gotten longer, her nails weren't as well groomed and cleaned, and her face looked aged. My mom and aunty always made sure that my grandmother was well groomed, because honestly, my grandmother was that way. She always had her hair nicely trimmed and combed. Her nails were always cleaned and painted. Including her toenails. She always put face cream on too! It was important for my grandmother to always feel and look well kept, like she cared about how she looked. Cause, she really did. This made her feel good.

We did not see this being done. It may or may not be a part of their duties there, but if they won't do it, then allow convenient access for a family member to come in to do so.

Prior to coming to Avalon my grandmother didn't speak too much, but she was getting better. She would talk, even if it was just little sentences. During this time, she would hardly say anything. She would just look at you on FaceTime.

Appointments are difficult, because you may or may not get to see your loved ones right away. That is what happened. My aunty had an appointment, she went. During that visit, she could tell my grandmother was declining. She could go any moment. My aunty insisted my mother go right away. My mom tried to get an appointment, but it wouldn't be for a couple of days. Even with the pleading that my grandmother could go anytime, it was not gonna happen. So when she passed the following day. You can imagine the hurt, the anger, the everything a daughter/ son may feel when they can't be there for their parent. The crazy part is they allowed 20+ of us to go in to see her in her bed after she passed to say our goodbyes. Yes, we could only go in pairs, but that's still 20+ of us going in and out of Avalon.

Don't get me wrong, according to my mom and aunty there were a few good nurses here, but they aren't always going to be the nurse who's with your loved one.

To my husband - Please don't send me here. To my mom - we won't ever leave you here alone.

Never in my life would I recommend this facility, or its sister facility Hale Nani Rehab., to anybody with a loved one needing long-term care.

Here are a list of reasons why this place is severely lacking professionalism, empathy, and basic healthcare skills:
(1) My LO has lost multiple valuables while here (dentures, cell phone, cell phone charger, hearing aids). Staff do not take responsibility either.
(2) Getting ahold of staff through the phone is IMPOSSIBLE. Lines are always busy. No call-backs. Because of COVID you have to call to set up an appt. to visit your LO -- takes us two or three days of calling to do that. High staff turnover means no one is available to answer you.
(3) Lack of attention or urgency when it comes to care. LO has sat in their filth multiple times, call light unanswered. This resulted in my LO falling multiple times (bruises to prove it) trying to go to the bathroom. Its something new every time we visit! We dont always get a call from the nurses either when a fall occurs!
(4) Staff here are not friendly. They dont greet you or give you updates on your loved ones. Just another person to them. We dont get updates on medication changes, incidents (like falls), or overall well-being for our loved one unless we actively ask the questions.

Its been a very disappointing relationship with Avalon since admitting our loved one here. Plans to move them are in place as this facility only diminishes the quality of life for them.

A few months ago Avalon took care of my Friend and let me tell you they did an excellent work! They got him home smoothly. The day he checked in from QMC till he got discharged out of Avalon was very smooth and easy for him! Without avalons help he would of been in the hospital still.
I'd love to thank Dio at front desk and along with the receptionist staff for always being there for us.
Also I'm not sure but I think his name is Nai? He's the administrator, thank you for always addressing our concerns.
Although due to Covid restrictions (pandemic) we were very glad on how they handled things. Being very concern at times they really made things at ease for us knowing my friend is at safe!
When you have visitation outside you know very well they take Covid restrictions very serious and that's why I gave this place a 5 star!
Thank you again Avalon for the big help I really appreciate it.
I am writing on behalf of my best friend and I. George T.

I really appreciate all of the staff's attention and care they provided my family member. I can't thank them enough.

This is an institution folks! Some of the nurses care and some don't! My gripe is really about management they treat the staff poorly and expect good moral. The turnover rate is horrendous! The only very good thing about this facility is the food they cook for their patients, that's about it! The nurses are either overworked which leads to patient care being compromised or just plain don't have any common sense. They worry about freeing up a bed as my mom had to go to the emergency room and they wanted us to clear her things out on the same day! Unbelievable!