The Rehabilitation Center At Sandalwood

I find it very interesting that the last ‘two’ reviewers happened to be two ‘different’ people on the very same day.
Here’s my experience:
When we were given notice of discharge from Lutheran, you have to move quick to find a rehab facility. So, we immediately took our list and were off to find the best. We toured 3 facilities before we found Sandalwood. Unfortunately, Sandalwood was full and we put ourselves on the list to get in as soon as they had an opening. Brenda (admissions) at Sandalwood is amazing! We ended up getting her in at Arvada rehab, and although the staff was very nice to my mother in law, we literally felt like we went ‘dumpster diving and came out with the cleanest trash’. As soon as there was an opening, Brenda called us and got the paperwork together and sent a van to bring my beloved mother in law to Sandalwood. WHAT A GODSEND! It’s literally like we left Motel 6, and checked into the Four Seasons! Now, I know you should never judge a book by it’s cover… but, Sandalwood is not only beautiful… the staff is AMAZING and the PT’s, OT’s, ST’s really have passion for what they do! They WANT your loved one to get better. My mother in law, Jeanie, is still at the facility and is making incredible strides EVERYDAY! She suffered a heart attack AND while in the ICU at Lutheran suffered a MAJOR stroke. We were told to call family to fly in and say goodbye. She’s still here and she’s fighting! Now, I know that most of the healing is in her strength and spirit and will to live, but EVERYONE at Sandalwood has done nothing short of a miracle to inspire her, cheer her on, work with her daily, make her feel special!
What makes Sandalwood stand out above the other facilities we toured, is not only the staff, but the fact that it feels like a nice hotel, it’s dignified, it makes the patients feel special and NORMAL. The other facilities were depressing (picture ‘one flew over the cuckoo’s nest’ with elderly people slouched over wheel chairs everywhere). They have happy hour for patients and family in their ‘bistro’, a beautiful dining room, a FABULOUS therapy room (that’s not hidden in a corner like at other facilities)…as you are touring or walking, you can see all of the therapy and stimulation going on, they aren’t hiding anything! I can’t say enough good things about this place! Favorite everyday caregivers… hands down… RUBY, ANGELA, and nurses Susan and Megan!!! LOVE!!!
DO NOT hesitate! If you can get in… grab a room STAT! They are fabulous and you will feel safe leaving your loved ones in their care! ~Beth, Wheat Ridge

Be advised if you are considering the Rehabilitation Center At Sandalwood.
They claim to have «therapy animals» that interact with the «guests». We were told «They will even bark at a guest’s door to alert staff if they find that the guest has fallen!»
The Center has 2 dogs and one cat, all of whom are staff members personal pets, not certified therapy animals. The cat is simply aloof, but both dogs are NOT FRIENDLY or interactive. They follow their owners around, and if you mistakenly interact with the dogs under the assuption they are friendly, beware! On 2 seperate occasions, we had family members growled at! This is NOT what therapy animals do, and it’s only a matter of time before a guest or family member is bitten!