The reviews of The Hermitage HealthCare are highly polarized, with distinct clusters of strongly positive and strongly negative experiences. On the positive side, many reviewers praise individual caregivers — particularly CNAs, some nurses, therapists (PT/OT), social workers, and kitchen staff — for being compassionate, hardworking, and attentive. The facility’s Alzheimer’s unit is repeatedly praised for thoughtful design elements (disguised exits, warm décor, enclosed courtyard) that reduce anxiety, and reviewers often note pleasant touches like seasonal decorations, window views with a bird feeder, and private rooms for special occasions. Rehabilitation and communal spaces (therapy room, cafeteria, community room) receive favorable mentions, and some families report the facility feeling safe, welcoming, and clean. When staffing is adequate, the staff are described as striving for high standards and families express gratitude for the care provided.
However, a substantial and recurring set of negative themes appears across many other reviews, indicating significant inconsistency in care and operations. The most serious concerns are about sanitation and basic resident safety: multiple reports describe residents left in urine or feces, blood on toilets left uncleaned, manure or other unhygienic conditions in bathrooms, and residents being dirty or naked. Several reviews allege neglect so severe it led to hospitalizations (wounds, UTIs) and there are claims of abusive treatment and theft. Many reviewers report staff that are rude, unprofessional, or inattentive, with particular criticism aimed at nursing staff and management. Short-staffing is a frequent explanation for failures in timely care: delayed bathroom assistance, unanswered call buzzers, late or missing medications (compounded by pharmacy/insurance processing problems), and inadequate nighttime attention are commonly cited.
Safety and clinical-care lapses are also recurring concerns. Reviewers describe poor wound care, inadequate pain management (residents left in pain for hours), delayed or withheld medical information, and instances where hospital transfers were refused — sometimes resulting in police or ambulance involvement. The short-term/subacute rehabilitation unit is specifically called out for incidents and substandard care in several reviews, suggesting variability across units. Language barriers among staff and perceived administrative indifference (including comments that the Director of Nursing is not responsive) compound family frustrations. Multiple reviewers urge potential residents and families to read external sources (Google, Medicare, Department of Health, news articles), check licensing or regulatory history, verify current and prior business names, and visit in person before deciding.
Facility and program-level observations are mixed. The Alzheimer’s unit and activity programming receive praise for thoughtfulness and warm, homey decor; yet several reviewers say afternoons are quiet and not very interactive. Dining is often noted positively — kitchen staff are described as diligent and meals as excellent — but there are also isolated complaints (stained clothing from meals) that point to inconsistencies in assistance during mealtimes. The building’s age is mentioned as a challenge: some see it as a charming, home-like environment while others cite infrastructure problems (shared bathrooms, reported water outages) and an overall “old” appearance that can exacerbate cleanliness and maintenance concerns.
Taken together, the reviews point to a facility where quality is highly dependent on specific staff members, units, and shifts. Key strengths are compassionate frontline caregivers, a thoughtful Alzheimer’s program, and good food/amenities when operations are functioning well. Key risks and red flags include recurrent reports of neglect, severe sanitation lapses, medication and clinical care failures, alleged abuse/theft, staffing shortages, and managerial shortcomings. For anyone considering The Hermitage HealthCare, reviewers strongly recommend an in-person visit, reviewing current regulatory records and online reviews, asking detailed questions about staffing levels and incident history, observing multiple shifts (including nights and afternoons), and monitoring care closely after admission. The polarization of reviews suggests that experiences can range from exemplary and deeply appreciated care to serious neglect and safety failures — making thorough due diligence essential before placement.
