Overall sentiment is sharply divided, with reviews portraying Aperion Care Burbank as either a small, clean, family-oriented facility with compassionate staff and strong therapy services or as a neglectful, unsafe institution with serious clinical and managerial failures. Many families praise the building's cleanliness, the homelike one-floor layout, helpful admissions and administrative staff, and the hands-on care provided by certain nurses and CNAs. Those positive reviewers frequently highlight effective PT/OT programs that improved mobility, varied meal options (including diabetic alternatives), engaging activities (arts and crafts, bingo, musical entertainment), well-maintained grounds and parking, laundry service, flexible visitation policies, and individualized touches such as guest trays and a conference room for family discussions. Several reviews single out specific administrators and directors for excellent leadership, and Medicaid acceptance was noted as an advantage by families seeking coverage options.
Conversely, a substantial portion of reviews recount troubling and, in some cases, severe problems. Recurring clinical concerns include understaffing, inconsistent staffing quality across shifts, and reports of neglectful care: failure to turn immobile residents, missed suctioning, inadequate wound care leading to bedsores and open sores, and alleged denials of necessary medications. Multiple reviewers reported serious medical outcomes attributed to care failures, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, dehydration, hospitalizations, and even alleged deaths. These clinical issues are compounded by allegations of falsified documentation, records deletion, and poor incident reporting, which raise concerns about transparency and regulatory compliance.
Facility and environmental reports are mixed but noteworthy. Many families describe the facility as exceptionally clean with shiny floors and pleasant smells, while others report filthy bathrooms, used urinals left out, roaches, cobwebs, and persistent urine odors. Overcrowding is a common theme: several reviews cite three-person rooms as a major drawback and a safety/privacy concern. Equipment and infrastructure issues were also mentioned, such as outdated beds lacking adequate guardrails or handrails, which can increase fall risk and reduce resident safety.
Staff behavior and management are another major area of division. Numerous reviews praise individual aides, nurses, and therapy staff as compassionate, diligent, and communicative—often going above and beyond. Simultaneously, a large number of reviewers describe rude, unprofessional, or even abusive behavior by staff and supervisors, including yelling at residents, name-calling, rough handling, and general indifference. Communication with families is inconsistent: some report informative, timely updates and responsive administrators, while others describe fake updates, unanswered calls, releases or transfers without notification, and a lack of accountability. Several reviews explicitly accuse management of being money-driven or lacking appropriate healthcare qualifications, and some allege fraudulent misappropriation of funds—claims that, if accurate, would warrant immediate oversight.
Dining and daily living services generate mixed feedback. Positive comments note varied meals, accommodations for diabetics, and family guest trays. Negative comments focus on cold or disgusting food, missed meals left in rooms, and poor meal service practices. Activities and therapy are generally praised where present, with recreational programming and exercise equipment contributing positively to resident well-being; however, some reviewers reported a lack of meaningful activities for particular residents.
A prominent pattern is the stark inconsistency between experiences. Many reviewers position the facility as a "hidden gem" or "best nursing home ever," praising staff dedication and the homelike environment, while an almost equal number vehemently recommend avoiding the facility entirely, citing abuse, neglect, and safety concerns. This polarization suggests variability in staffing by shift or unit, potential management instability, or intermittent operational lapses. For prospective families, the most frequently noted practical concerns to verify in person are staffing levels and turnover, the condition and occupancy of rooms (especially whether private rooms are available), wound care and medication management protocols, infection control and cleanliness, and how the facility communicates with families during incidents.
In summary, Aperion Care Burbank elicits strongly mixed reviews. Positive reports emphasize cleanliness, compassionate and attentive staff, effective therapy, and a small, welcoming atmosphere. Negative reports detail understaffing, unprofessional or abusive behavior, serious clinical lapses (bedsores, missed treatments, medication/documentation issues), unsanitary conditions, overcrowded rooms, and troubling management practices. The breadth and severity of negative allegations—ranging from neglect and abuse to falsified records and calls for closure—are serious and merit careful scrutiny by regulators and by any family considering placement. If you are evaluating this facility, arrange multiple visits at different times and shifts, speak directly with therapy and nursing leadership, request documentation on staffing ratios and incident handling, and monitor family communication practices closely before making a placement decision.
