Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but leans positive regarding direct caregiving and community life, with serious, recurring concerns about cleanliness, staffing levels, and management.
Care quality and staff performance are the strongest, most consistent positives. Multiple reviewers explicitly describe CNAs, nurses, and other frontline employees as phenomenal, caring, and attentive. Families repeatedly say staff go "above and beyond," are kind and respectful, and provide excellent bedside care. Administration, nurses, CNAs, housekeepers, and cooks are all singled out in various reviews as contributing to a warm, friendly environment. Several family members state they feel grateful or "blessed" to have found the facility and would highly recommend it. The Axiom takeover is frequently mentioned in a positive light, with reviewers noting improvements and happier residents since the change in management.
Despite the strong praise for staff, there are specific and serious concerns about facility cleanliness and basic hygiene. Multiple reviewers report fecal matter on bathroom walls, toilets, and bath seats, as well as trash that was not emptied for prolonged periods. Some family members say they felt forced to clean for their loved ones because of these issues. These reports raise significant infection-control and dignity concerns. In addition, some reviewers describe an overall sense of poor cleanliness beyond isolated incidents.
Staffing and management are themes with mixed feedback. While many reviews praise individual caregivers and teams, other reviewers report staff shortages, a small pool of staff stretched across too many patients, and overcrowding that taxes the staff’s ability to respond promptly. One common operational complaint is long waits at the nurses' station before staff acknowledge requests or requests for assistance. Several reviewers explicitly criticize management as uncaring, and a few link those problems to the transition from the previous provider (Westside), noting disruption and initial declines in service during or after the changeover. Conversely, other reviewers say the takeover led to visible improvements, indicating that experiences may vary depending on timing and unit.
Dining and activities are clear strengths. Cooks receive multiple commendations, and family members describe meals positively. Activity programming also receives praise — reviewers mention thoughtful event planning, holiday celebrations, craft activities, and team-driven events that enhance residents' quality of life. These elements contribute to the impression of a friendly, home-like community environment for many residents.
Patterns and actionable implications: reviewers who focus on staff and programming tend to be very positive, often recommending the facility. However, the recurrent, specific reports of unacceptable bathroom cleanliness, trash issues, and families needing to intervene are notable red flags that could affect resident health and dignity. Reports about staffing shortages, long response times at the nurses’ station, and perceptions of poor management suggest systemic operational strain in some units or shifts. The transition to Axiom is a recurring factor: some reviewers see measurable improvements since the takeover, while others report lingering or new problems associated with the change.
For prospective residents and families, the reviews recommend weighing these mixed signals carefully. Strengths include compassionate direct care, engaging activities, and well-liked dining staff. Key concerns to investigate in person or with current families are the facility’s infection-control and cleaning practices, staffing ratios (especially on the relevant unit/shift), management responsiveness, and how the facility has addressed any past cleanliness incidents. Overall, Axiom Healthcare of West Frankfort receives considerable praise for the people who provide daily care and for its activities and dining, but the reported sanitation and staffing issues are significant and warrant direct inquiry before placement.
