Serenity House - VNA Health

Suzanne Latti

My sister spent the last few months of her life at Serenity House. She passed in 2018. At the time the place was like a Heaven on the way to Heaven. The place had a extraordinarily beneficent energy. I can tell you a lot about Serenity House then because I was there much of the time for those months. The doctor and staff was incredibly compassionate and kind and went out of their way to be there for her. Volunteers came almost daily to offer song or energy healing or a host of other wonderful services. In contrast to many medical facilities where the staff are rushed and jaded and uncaring and disrespectful and the atmosphere is corporate or noisy, Serenity House was truly SERENE. There was a grand piano in a beautiful large living room where the library was house. And if you wanted to play the piano, you were welcomed to. Where else on earth could you find such a magnificent place to depart this earth from?

Sylvia King

My father recently had a 5 night stay at Serenity House. It’s a beautiful location and property and he got his own room. He was left alone most of the time with nothing to do. There is a library which he went to the first day, but didn’t like the 2 books he chose and no one thought to ask him if he liked them or provide him with anything else to do. I visited daily, and the first day the staff delayed my visit for 30 minutes attempting to get him in a wheelchair “for me.” Though I appreciate the gesture, it delayed my visit by that long while I stood waiting in the parking garage. After that, they kept him in his bed for the next 4 days, so he arrived back home with bedsores. It’s not an ideal place to house someone for respite care who’s mental state is sound enough to be bored and who needs a little physical and mental stimulation. My mom, his caretaker, now feels incredible guilty she took respite time off because he’s in a worse state than he was before admitted.

Clara H

Serenity House over-charged for my family member. My family member stayed one night from 3:30pm in the afternoon to 2pm the following day. The cost should be one night but they charged two nights. They said it counts two nights because of afterwards midnight. I don’t see the clear description on the agreement I signed. It is unreasonable charge, and I am told even if I agree or not, that’s their policy. Ridiculous experience!!! In addition, the social workers are the worst social worker in SB. I emailed and called them several times and requested to help to complete my State Paid family leave form from the doctor. It took 20 days to send back to me, and it has already passed the deadline to submit the Physician certificate. Very disappointed and frustrated !I met Cottage hospital social workers and Patient Service social workers in SB, they are very supportive and helpful.

Kelly Mahan

Beware of their visiting rules during Covid: their website says the pandemic has caused them to limit visitors to “2 visitors per room” (understandable), but when you arrive they tell you that it’s actually “2 visitors per room PER DAY” (and they do not budge on this policy). They also only allow those 2 visitors between the hours of 1-5 pm, so patients are alone the majority of the day/night during their final days, which is heartbreaking. Had we known this we likely would have opted for in-home care so we could spend more time with our loved one. We’ve asked them to update the website with this info so people can have all the info before deciding on Serenity House, but so far it has not been updated so I thought it was important to write this review.