The reviews for Diversicare of Batesville present a sharply mixed picture characterized by a highly praised frontline staff and therapy program set against recurring operational and safety concerns. Many reviewers consistently applaud individual caregivers — nurses, CNAs, therapists, and activity staff — for being compassionate, helpful, and professional. Physical therapy is repeatedly described as very good, the activities team as active and engaging, and several families singled out the administrator Jackie as knowledgeable and caring. Multiple accounts describe a warm, family-like atmosphere for some residents, positive dining experiences, and effective discharge assistance or communication in individual cases.
Counterbalancing those positives are significant and repeated complaints that point to systemic problems. Understaffing is a dominant theme: reviewers report delayed or absent responses from nursing staff, long periods with no nurse/CNA checking on residents, and staff being too busy to provide basic care. Those staffing shortfalls are associated with concrete safety and quality failures — missed medications, an unplugged oxygen concentrator, unattended low blood sugar episodes, bed sores, failure to bathe or ensure residents eat, and reports that some residents are left soiled. Several reviewers described having to call an ER themselves or intervene because the facility did not provide timely updates or adequate care.
Facility and operational issues are another major cluster of complaints. Multiple reviewers mention a persistent urine or other strong odors, a depressing or nasty appearance, and maintenance problems being left unresolved. There are numerous reports of misplaced or stolen clothing and care packages, as well as frequent or unexplained room changes and discharges — sometimes without family notification despite power-of-attorney status. Some families felt the facility was only cleaned or presented well for state inspections. There are also accusations of extra charges for basic services and cut services, which raise concerns about transparency and billing practices.
Communication and management perceptions are polarized. While some families praise clear communication, supportive administrators, and staff who keep them informed, other families report the opposite: phones unanswered, visitation shutdowns, lack of timely updates about a resident’s condition (even in urgent situations), and being excluded from or misinformed about moves and discharges. This inconsistency suggests variable leadership or uneven implementation of policies across shifts.
Taken together, the reviews indicate a facility with many strong, caring employees and programs (notably therapy and activities) but also recurring systemic failures largely associated with staffing levels, cleanliness, safety practices, and communication. The most concerning patterns are those that imply risk to resident safety — missed medications, medical equipment left unplugged, bed sores, and delayed clinical response. For prospective residents and families, the pattern suggests the importance of: visiting in person, asking specific questions about staffing ratios and recent incidents, verifying how personal items are secured, clarifying billing for basic care, and confirming how families will be informed about clinical changes. Current strengths (committed caregivers and good therapy/activities) may provide excellent care when staffing and management practices align, but the repeated serious complaints warrant careful, up-front evaluation and ongoing oversight by families and legal representatives.
