To Whom it may concern: (It should concern everyone.) The best kept secret in Spokane, Wa.
For Assisted Living, and Retirement is "The Cooper George". (Owned by Emeritus Assisted
Living Corp. Of Seattle.) Fine, old, thirteen story high-rise on Spokanes lower South
Hill. Close to Hospitals, Doctors, Buses, Downtown shopping, and Parks. Spacious
apartments with great views. Unfortunately all these qualities DO NOT compensate for
extremely poor management. (Warehouse mentality.) Staff is under paid, under trained,
uncaring, surly, and indifferent to needs of Residents. Shifts are under staffed. (Cost
effective.) (Highest Employee turnover in Spokane County.) Food is appalling. Three meals
per day of tasteless, ill prepared starch, filler and grease. (But the menu looks
delicious!) (Staff snacks on the best, especially after hours). Food is used by some
Employees as discipline with Residents. ("Dont complain and we may give you more, and
better".) For fear of subtle reprisals, Residents say nothing to outside sources. They
just move out. (Those who are able.) Medications are controlled and dispensed by untrained
Aides. (Aides train Aides.) Many mistakes are made, but promptly corrected on paper. Theft
and street drug use is more rampant than their incompetence. Building maintenance is
shoddy, and unprofessional. Heat when needed is sporadic at best. (Consistently too hot or
too cold.) Hallways are ill kept, and unclean. Trash rooms are filthy. Elevators are
inadequate for heavy use of scooters, powerchairs, walkers, wheelchairs, Housekeeping
carts, Maintenance equipment, Medication carts, and foot traffic. How Management remains
under state radar is beyond belief. A haunting question persists in ones mind after
seeing this building. In a emergency, (As in a fire.) if the elevators are shut down; how
do some of the Residents on the upper floors in walkers, and wheelchairs get down? All are
supposed to be ambulatory enough to walk down many flights of stairs. But are they? In
response to fewer new placements, Owners have added fresh paint, expensive, new outdoor
sign, new floor covering, plants, lots of artificial flowers, new furniture, and a lovely
water display in Lobby. Funds better used for decent food, and more qualified personnel.
These People are prolific prevaricators. Beware of their facade!