Friends Homes at Guilford is independent, assisted and also nursing. It seems to be caring, and it certainly gives you the full benefit with the three steps going down. We did get a complimentary meal, and the food was very good. They seemed caring, and we do know some people that are already there that liked it very much. We only met the one showing us around and she is very good and very capable. She certainly took a lot of time with us. They have several different kinds of apartment. They have a little studio apartment -- which has everything all in one like the bedroom -- but no cooking in there. They do have a refrigerator, and they get three meals a day. They have two-bedroom apartments, and then they have a two-bedroom deluxe apartment, and those get one meal a day, either lunch or dinner. They just have everything. They take them to symphonies, and they take them to the bank, churches, or to the doctors. They have different exercises, and they have movies. We have been here three years, and the ones that we know never mention anything bad that ever happens. It is a very nice facility. It's in a very good part of town, which is very important. The stores are right about a block and a half down. There are stores and banking within walking distance if anybody really wanted to walk.

As soon as I got out of my car, I wanted to get right back in. I knew right away something was going to go wrong and I was right. My medical training, mostly in the military has taught me to be observant of my surroundings and I was. From what I observed, my stomach started turning. The grounds were not all that great. The facility has 52 rooms if I am not mistaken and it mostly smelled like urine or it did to me at least. Do not get me wrong, I know some facilities are reserved for some very sick patients that just do not have the best of care because of money issues. I understand that completely. But the smell knocked me off my feet. Now whether this was one room or all of them was left unknown. No one greeted me at the door, so I was left to just roam the halls. Patients were undoubtedly in discomfort because most of them were wailing. Yes, I am aware that most may have dementia but at least have some staff try to comfort them. I left after about 20 minutes because I became literally disgusted with everything. I couldn't even find the charge nurse. I would not recommend this place to anyone at all.

Friends Homes seamed to be a very delightful place to spend the golden years. Parking was very easy and convenient and located very close the building with lots of ways to enter provided you knew the security code. The walls are painted a nice shade of peach throughout most of the facility. The dining room is very nice with wooden tables and high backed chairs that roll over a thinly carpeted area. Employees seamed to be very nice and helpful when we ate in the dining room for lunch. Hallway's were very wide; wide enough for the residents to stroll amongst at their own passe. Doors to the resident's personal rooms were very homey with flowers outside their doors and sayings hung on the walls. Residents seemed very happy and staff very welcoming. Bathroom's were very nice and well kept up, fresh toilet paper, clean stalls, and very clean sinks. Was a bit warm throughout the facility but I would imagine the residents like it better that way.