Senevita Residenz Bornblick

The care staff deserve five stars. Management doesn't deserve any. My parents spent their final years at Senevita Bornblick in Olten, and the way Senevita handles a death is unacceptable. The assisted living lease says the full rent is still due for three months after someone dies. We were charged CHF 5,000 each month for an empty two-room apartment, CHF 15,000 in total. This is Olten, after all. Luckily it was rented again after two months, so we "only" paid CHF 10,000 for nothing. There's another issue: residents in assisted living get almost no supplementary benefits (EL) when they need them. People in traditional nursing homes can receive these benefits, but residents of assisted living places such as Senevita can't. If their savings run out, they have to move to a nursing home or rely on relatives to pay. Think about what putting a loved one in a Senevita facility can mean. It can get very expensive.

We considered assisted living at Senevita Olten for my father, but the boarding contract changed our minds. The prices and terms suit people who don't have to think about money. He's now happy in a "normal" retirement home.

What stands out most is how professional and warm the staff are across the facility. Whether in nursing, the kitchen, or maintenance, people are friendly, and residents are treated with dignity. Their autonomy, wishes, and preferences are respected. The place also has a beautiful atmosphere. I especially want to praise the whole management team. From the most junior staff member through to the director, they show professionalism and integrity. Their commitment to residents' well-being comes through in their decisions and personal dedication. Please keep up the great work!

The nursing, service and kitchen, and housekeeping teams deserve far more praise than they get, but the managing director overshadows everything. He's been in the role for two years and comes across more as a manager than an empathetic leader in a place for elderly people. His predecessor was much more present, spent time with residents, and cared about their needs. He was wonderful and truly human, just as it should be.