Concordia at Sumner, located at 970 Sumner Parkway in Copley, Ohio, is a comprehensive continuing care retirement community (CCRC) situated on a beautifully landscaped 64-acre campus. Operated by Concordia Lutheran Ministries, this facility offers multiple levels of care in a resort-style environment that began as the dream of Louise Sumner in the 1870s and has since developed into one of the premier retirement communities in Northeast Ohio.
Types of Services Offered
Independent Living
Concordia at Sumner offers independent living options for active seniors seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle, including both private Villas and Garden Apartments. These accommodations operate on a rental basis with no buy-in required. Independent living residents enjoy services such as:
- Weekly housekeeping
- Campus security with 24-hour monitoring
- Individual emergency response systems
- Access to all community amenities
- Peace of mind with access to higher levels of care if needed
Assisted Living
The assisted living program at Concordia at Sumner provides personalized care for seniors who need additional support with daily activities. Each assisted living suite features:
- Bedroom
- Living area
- Kitchenette
- Private bathroom
- 24-hour nursing coverage
- Medication management
- Locked and monitored buildings for safety
- Individual emergency response systems
Long-Term Nursing Care
For residents requiring ongoing medical supervision, Concordia’s long-term nursing care provides:
- 24-hour skilled nursing services
- Large private suites (reportedly the largest in the region)
- Personalized care plans
- Clinical staff experienced in various areas of care
- Country kitchen and dining room in each of the two Health Center buildings
- Access to garden courtyards
Short-Term Rehabilitation
Concordia at Sumner also offers rehabilitation services for those recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, with specialized therapy services including:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
Amenities
Concordia at Sumner features an impressive array of amenities designed to promote an active, engaging lifestyle:
Recreational Facilities
- Indoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Computer center
- Library
- Activity center
- Movie theater
- Beauty salon/barbershop
Living Spaces
- Variety of floor plans from studios to two-bedroom apartments and detached villas
- Private bathrooms and kitchenettes in many units
- Individual temperature controls
- Cable television
- WiFi/internet access
Campus Features
- Beautifully landscaped 64-acre campus
- Walking paths
- Garden courtyards
- Security monitoring 24 hours daily
- Convenient scheduled transportation
Additional Services
- Emergency response systems in each apartment and villa
- 24-hour nursing coverage in assisted living and nursing care
- Maintenance services
- Housekeeping
- Country kitchens
- Elegant dining rooms
Daily Activities
Residents at Concordia at Sumner enjoy a vibrant schedule of activities designed to promote physical, mental, social, and spiritual wellness:
- Full calendar of cultural, social, and educational activities
- Wellness programs
- Resident committees
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes
- Water exercise in the indoor pool
- Craft groups
- Mystery Dinner events
- Book Club
- Spiritual dialogue groups
- Musical performances (at least one per week)
- Clubs and communities based on shared interests
According to testimonials, residents have ample opportunities to stay active and engaged. One resident mentioned, “Seniors have plenty of opportunities to get exercise by walking indoors or outside, plus participate in water aerobics, yoga, strength training, and utilizing a large workout room and many other physical and mentally challenging activities.”
Testimonials from Residents and Families
Concordia at Sumner has received generally positive reviews, with an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 based on 13 reviews on Caring.com and a resident review score of 5.6 out of 10 on Family Assets.
Positive Testimonials
“My wife has moved into Concordia at Sumner. It is very good. The facilities are excellent. The staff is very good. The food is very good… It is a beautiful place… They have excellent activities. We have gone to some of the musical programs they put on. They put on at least one musical program a week.” – Joe, November 2018
“This is a beautiful campus! The employees are so sweet and truly care about the residents and family’s. This is a community that I definitely would recommend to my family and friends! Only good things to say about Sumner!” – dwlee, March 2018
“I moved my father to Concordia. He’s been there before, and we’ve had other relatives there. The staff is friendly and helpful. He’s going to exercise class once in a while. They serve three meals, and he can ask for snacks. They have a physical therapy room that he can use for exercise, a library, and lounges to work on puzzles, sit on the fireplace, and read books.” – John068161, January 2017
Ted and Linda Oravecz, who moved to Concordia at Sumner in 2016, described it as “resort-style living” and praised the “super supportive” staff and residents. They particularly appreciated the indoor pool, fitness opportunities, and resident-led activities.
Areas for Improvement
Some reviews mentioned potential areas for improvement:
“The only negative is if your relative does not drive, they do not provide flexible transportation. There is a once per week grocery run: they have only 45 minutes to get their groceries, and be back outside for the bus… For such a nice facility, and for the age group they serve, they should have better transport services.” – helpourelders, July 2017
“My only complaint, and I understand that it is an industry-wide problem, is the staffing. Like over Thanksgiving they were short-staffed.” – Joe, November 2018
“Their hallways are very long and it is more than one story. As we looked over the place, I could not see my husband be in a room on the second floor and then having to walk a long hallway to get to an elevator to go downstairs. It is very inconvenient as far as we are concerned.” – Reviewer1192020, February 2020
Pricing Information
Concordia at Sumner operates on a monthly rental model with prices varying based on the level of care and accommodation type:
- Costs start at $2,521 and range up to $7,335 per month
- The average monthly price is approximately $4,928
- This is slightly higher than the area average of $4,786 for nursing homes
- Independent living apartments start at around $2,770 per month
- The community is described as “under $3,000 per month” for some options
The facility accepts both Medicare and Medicaid for eligible residents.
According to resident testimonials, many found the value to be good compared to other options they considered:
“Many people are surprised to find out how affordable our Villas or Garden Apartments actually are.”
One couple who moved there in 2016 created an Excel spreadsheet comparing costs of different housing options over an 8-9 year period, including apartments, condos, and senior living communities. “Concordia at Sumner turned out to be the best choice, financially.”
Quality Ratings and Metrics
Concordia at Sumner has received average ratings from Medicare:
- Overall rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
- Quality rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
- Staff rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Key quality metrics include:
- 57.8% of short-term residents were able to return home (better than the 51.7% state average)
- 0.0% of residents experienced falls with major injury (better than the 1.0% state average)
- 5.9% of short-term rehabilitation stays resulted in serious infections requiring hospitalization (better than the 6.8% state average)
- 8.5% of short-term residents needed to visit an ER during their stay (better than the 12.7% state average)
The facility provides 4 hours and 14 minutes of nursing staff time per resident daily, comprised of:
- 2.0 hours with licensed nurses (0.6 hours with RNs and 1.5 hours with LPNs)
- 2.1 hours with non-licensed nurse aides
Comparison with Similar Facilities in the Copley Area
While specific comparison data with other facilities in Copley is limited in our search results, we can note several distinguishing features of Concordia at Sumner:
Notable Comparisons
- Village of St. Edward at Fairlawn (nearby facility) has higher resident ratings (82% giving 5-star reviews)
- Brookdale Bath offers similar services but has a 7.6/10 review score
- Vitalia Senior Residences of Montrose in Copley has higher ratings (8.7/10) with 64% giving 5-star reviews
Distinctive Features of Concordia at Sumner
- One of the largest campuses in the area at 64 beautifully landscaped acres
- Offers a full continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing
- Features an indoor pool, which is not common in all senior communities
- Provides what they claim are “the largest private suites in the region” for nursing care
- Has over a century of experience serving seniors in Northeast Ohio
Conclusion
Concordia at Sumner offers a comprehensive senior living experience with multiple levels of care on a spacious, well-maintained campus in Copley, Ohio. The community stands out for its extensive amenities, including an indoor pool and fitness center, along with a full calendar of activities designed to keep residents engaged and active.
The facility’s strengths include its beautiful 64-acre campus, variety of accommodation options, robust activity programming, and ability to provide a continuum of care allowing residents to age in place. Residents and families generally report positive experiences, particularly noting the friendly staff, good food, and engaging social environment.
Areas where potential residents might want to further investigate include transportation limitations noted by some reviewers, staffing levels during holidays, and the layout of buildings which might be challenging for residents with mobility issues.
For families considering Concordia at Sumner, the pricing is slightly higher than the area average, but many reviews suggest the amenities and services provide good value. The facility’s quality metrics are average overall but above average in several key safety measures, which may provide additional peace of mind.
Ultimately, Concordia at Sumner appears to be a solid option for seniors in the Copley area seeking a community where they can enjoy an active lifestyle with access to increasing levels of care as needed, though families should schedule a tour and carefully evaluate whether the specific features align with their loved one’s needs and preferences.
