Overall sentiment across the reviews is highly mixed and polarized: many reviewers praise individual staff members, the therapy services and the appealing campus features, while a significant number of reports describe serious care, safety, and communication failures. Positive comments repeatedly highlight a core of compassionate CNAs and clinicians who go above and beyond, good food, on-site therapy and medical coverage, and an attractive courtyard, birds and resident cat that contribute to a pleasant environment. These favorable aspects suggest the facility has strength in certain staffing relationships, rehab capabilities, and amenity offerings that families and residents appreciate.
However, an equally prominent theme is inconsistency in care quality — often described as a strong day shift and markedly worse night shift — leading to delayed responses to call lights, missed personal care (diaper changes, bathing, clothing changes), missed meals, and delays in breathing treatments. Multiple reviewers described situations where basic needs were neglected, family members had to provide food or personal care, and in some accounts neglect allegedly led to emergency hospitalizations or the death of a loved one. These are serious allegations repeated by several independent reviewers and form a major safety and quality concern.
Communication and management practices also show wide variation. Some reviews commend the Administrator and Director of Nursing for being welcoming and responsive (one reviewer notes 24/7 availability), while others report unreturned calls, poor explanations about vitals and checks, inappropriate or upbeat notifications about deaths, and even claims that an administrator threatened a visitor with police. There are also multiple reports of belongings being lost or mishandled after a resident’s death. The combination of inconsistent communication and reports of unprofessional management behavior undermines trust for many families.
Facility and environmental feedback is similarly mixed: reviewers praise freshly painted rehab rooms, a large day room with courtyard views, and overall areas that are well cared for, alongside repeated complaints about cleanliness in certain areas (dirty floors, bathrooms) and building maintenance issues such as lack of central heating/cooling and mold in window units. The presence of pets, gardens, and recreational activities (Bingo, vending machines, beautician) are positive quality-of-life factors, though several reviewers said activities could be expanded.
Clinical and safety concerns are among the most troubling patterns. Reports include delays in breathing treatments, inadequate oxygen management, hygiene and safety lapses (including mentions of blood and unsanitary conditions at the entrance), allegations of abuse or residents being drugged, and missed or ineffective therapy that failed to deliver expected mobility or rehabilitation gains. Multiple reviewers urge investigation or legal action, indicating a subset of families experienced outcomes they consider severe and possibly negligent. These are red flags, particularly for prospective residents with complex medical needs or respiratory support requirements.
In summary, Diversicare of Oneonta appears to offer real strengths — compassionate individual caregivers, on-site therapy and medical services, good food, and pleasant outdoor spaces — but suffers from inconsistent staffing, communication breakdowns, and serious reports of neglect or unsafe conditions. Families considering this facility should weigh the positive personal experiences reported by some against the recurrent themes of night-shift lapses, missed basic care, poor responsiveness, and alarming allegations of neglect. If considering placement, prospective residents and families should: (1) meet direct care staff across different shifts, (2) clarify protocols for call light response, respiratory treatments, and belongings handling, (3) verify staffing levels and training for their specific care needs (especially oxygen/respiratory care), and (4) monitor care closely after admission. The facility may be acceptable for residents who can be matched with and supported by the praised staff members, but multiple reviewers strongly caution against placing vulnerable or medically complex loved ones here without careful oversight.
