Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly mixed but centers on two consistent themes: a highly praised, compassionate frontline team and a physical plant plus management issues that undermine confidence for some families. Many reviewers emphasize that the caregivers, nurses, CNAs, activity staff, therapists, social workers, and certain admissions personnel provide excellent, individualized, and often exceptional daily care. Multiple reviews name individual employees as memorable and caring, and several describe the facility as a lifesaver for Alzheimer s or dementia care. Activity programming, music and art therapy, concerts, gardening, seasonal events (for example elaborate Easter activities), and proactive therapy teams are repeatedly highlighted as major strengths that improve resident quality of life. Hospice and end‑of‑life care, 24/7 family access in some cases, and close communication from particular staff members also contribute to many families reporting peace of mind.
At the same time, a substantial subset of reviewers report serious concerns about the facility building and management. The physical plant is frequently described as old and in need of renovation: peeling paint, dingy visiting rooms, visible defects, and generally run‑down areas came up repeatedly. While some areas and staff are described as clean and diligent, others reported inconsistent cleanliness and maintenance. Room amenities are inconsistent as well; several reviewers noted small closets, bare dressers, or absence of in‑room phones or TVs. Laundry delays and missing clothes were mentioned enough times to be a notable operational issue.
Clinical and safety concerns appear in multiple reviews and range from medication provisioning problems after a pharmacy switch to reports of wrong medications and a lack of comfort meds on site. There are also troubling accounts of incontinence problems, residents being left wet, privacy invasions, and at least one serious injury with poor explanatory communication. Some reviewers described instances that they considered neglect or abuse and cited allegations of administrative mishandling, accusations that a director or DON engaged in problematic behavior, and even mention of a state investigation. These allegations create a sharp contrast with the many accounts praising frontline caregivers and indicate uneven quality control, oversight, and accountability.
Management, policy, and communication show a mixed picture. Several reviews praise admissions staff and social workers for being compassionate, proactive, and responsive; others report poor communication from nursing and administration, messy offices, inconsistent procedures across halls, termination decisions allegedly based on hearsay, and discrimination claims. Staffing patterns are also contradictory: some reviewers note stable, long‑tenured staff and no rotation, while others report high CNA turnover, canceled shifts, and low morale affecting care. These contradictions suggest that experiences vary by unit, shift, or even by the time period reviewed.
Dining, pharmacy, and ancillary services are similarly inconsistent. Food quality was described as fluctuating—some recent improvements were noted, but variability remains. The switch to Omnicare is specifically mentioned as causing medication provisioning problems. Financial and administrative practices also raised red flags for a few reviewers: pressure to pay while Medicaid was pending, an alleged extra relocation fee and alleged kickbacks, and at least one report of misdelivery of a loved one s body with poor accountability. These are serious procedural concerns that some families encountered, while others reported clean billing experiences.
In summary, Garden Terrace at Overland Park receives frequent praise for its direct care workforce, memory care programming, activities, therapy services, and certain individuals who provide compassionate, family‑oriented care. However, recurring complaints about building condition, inconsistent cleanliness, medication and incontinence management issues, administrative and managerial problems, and a handful of very serious allegations (neglect, abuse, misdelivery of remains, and billing disputes) produce a bifurcated overall impression. Prospective families should weigh the strong endorsements for frontline care and specialized memory programming against the reports of facility maintenance needs and management or safety lapses. Visiting in person, asking for current inspection or investigation records, meeting clinical and management staff, and confirming pharmacy and laundry procedures are recommended steps to verify whether the strengths highlighted by many reviewers outweigh the operational and administrative concerns raised by others.
