Overall sentiment: Reviews for Hiawatha Care Center are polarized but lean positive overall; many reviewers praise the facility for cleanliness, robust activities, tasty meals, and compassionate front-line caregivers, while a noticeable minority report serious problems including understaffing, neglect, billing confusion, and inconsistent clinical oversight. The aggregate picture is of a newer, well-appointed facility with a strong social program and many satisfied families, but with variability in staff performance and administrative consistency that can lead to critical lapses for some residents.
Care quality and clinical oversight: A large number of reviews describe high-quality, attentive care — residents receiving skilled nursing and rehabilitation in a clean, safe environment with improvements in emotional well-being and recovery noted. At the same time, multiple reports describe understaffing, long waits for help, medication delays (including an account of a resident left in a wheelchair without medication for hours), and in at least one case an outcome described as a death at the facility. There are also specific mentions of clinical oversight failures (for example, a missed thyroid problem by doctors). These mixed reports suggest that while clinical capability exists, care consistency may vary by shift, unit, or staff on duty, and some families recommend advocating strongly for monitoring and follow-up.
Staff, culture, and leadership: Many reviewers highlight hardworking, compassionate nurses and CNAs who treat residents like family and go the extra mile; the Director of Nursing (DON) is mentioned positively. The facility is described as community-oriented, encouraging volunteering and family involvement, and staff are often praised for being friendly and supportive. However, there are repeated complaints about unprofessional or snarky behavior from some staff members, and one reviewer identifies the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) as uncaring and problematic. Administrative communication receives mixed reviews: some families report open, helpful communication with quarterly reviews and ongoing follow-up, while others report poor communication, billing confusion, and policy issues that don't align with outside organizations. The result is a perception of uneven management—capable in some respects but lacking consistency.
Facilities, cleanliness, and environment: The facility is frequently described as very clean, newer, and pleasant, with larger rooms, an open atmosphere, and outdoor features like a patio and pond. Reviewers praise the facility's tidiness, amenities, and the large activity room. These physical attributes contribute strongly to positive impressions and to resident comfort and satisfaction.
Dining and activities: Dining receives numerous positive mentions — meals described as yummy with good snacks and desserts, and improvements noted over time by some families. Nevertheless, a few families reported meal service problems severe enough that they felt the need to bring in food. The activities program is consistently highlighted as a major strength: reviewers report a wide variety of offerings (raising animals, gardening, field trips, movies, games, cooking classes, Happy Hour, farkle), organized events, and volunteer-led programs that boost resident engagement and family satisfaction. The activities seem to be a differentiator and frequent source of praise.
Cost, billing, and policies: Several reviewers note high costs and express concern about unexpected charges (for example, an extra Christmas meal charge), billing confusion, and a perception of money-focused priorities. Policy misalignment with other organizations was also cited, and some families felt the expense did not always match the level of care received in negative cases. These administrative and financial issues appear to be recurring pain points and a source of frustration for families.
Patterns and recommendations: The dominant pattern is one of generally strong facilities and programming with inconsistently applied care standards. Positive reports are numerous and emphasize staff compassion, cleanliness, active programming, and good food, while negative reports highlight serious lapses—neglect, staffing shortages, poor staff demeanor, and administrative/billing problems. For prospective families: the facility shows many strengths that can support a high quality of life for residents, but it is important to monitor care closely, ask about staffing levels, clarify billing and policy details upfront, maintain active communication with leadership, and consider appointing a family care advocate or regularly reviewing care to mitigate variability. For current families: raise concerns promptly with administration, document incidents, and request follow-up or escalation if problems occur. Overall, Hiawatha Care Center appears to offer an excellent experience for many residents but also carries risks of inconsistent care that families should watch for and proactively manage.
