Overall sentiment across the reviews for Cedarhurst of Des Peres is mixed but clearly polarized: many families strongly praise the facility, staff, amenities and activities, while a substantial minority report serious concerns about leadership, nursing quality, housekeeping, communication and memory-care safety. The results suggest a community that offers a very attractive physical environment and robust programming for many residents, but one where operational and staffing inconsistencies have created meaningful negative experiences for others.
Facility and grounds: Reviewers frequently describe the facility as modern, attractive and meticulously maintained. Positive comments highlight a bright, open atmosphere, well-appointed apartments (often described as large or spacious), a beautiful courtyard, patio, firepit, garden and areas for outdoor activities and BBQs. Several reviewers noted a pleasant, home-like atmosphere and top-notch amenities such as a theater room, exercise and music programs, and ample natural light. A recurring downside related to the physical location is limited natural surroundings and nearby highway noise; a few reviewers also reported occasional odors or rooms that were not cleaned frequently, which contrasts with the many reports of a spotless building.
Staff and care quality: Staff are the single most frequently mentioned element, and opinions vary sharply. Many families praise compassionate, attentive, medically proficient caregivers, nursing leadership (some named staff such as Christa, Andy, Linda, Gina, Cathy and Trista received explicit commendations), low caregiver turnover, and staff who go above and beyond. Those reviewers report smooth transitions, responsive clinical teams, strong family communication, and residents who look well and are engaged. Conversely, another set of reviews raise red flags about nursing leadership, with one reporting the head of nursing as poor and others noting that the head nurse quit and the executive director was out for COVID—signs of leadership instability. Several reviewers reported understaffing, unskilled or inexperienced staff, inconsistent supervision, and examples of staff not addressing family complaints or even retaliating. This split indicates that while some units or shifts may be well staffed and managed, others suffer quality and continuity problems.
Housekeeping, hygiene and meals: Dining and housekeeping are recurring areas of contradiction. Many residents loved the food and menu variety, calling lunches very good and describing healthy, varied options. Activities tied to dining (Happy Hours, family meals) were appreciated. Yet other reviews complained about poor meals: small, unappetizing portions, lack of napkins, hygiene issues such as servers handling food with bare hands, and occasional long waits (up to 30 minutes) for items not on the planned menu. Housekeeping problems were a frequent negative theme—reports of inadequate cleaning frequency, families having to step in to clean, and odor in some rooms sit in tension with other reviews calling the facility spotless. These mixed reports suggest that service quality may vary by staff shift or over time.
Memory care and safety: Memory care receives focused attention. Some reviews praise memory-care activities, organization, and a thoughtful dementia center contact. Others express worry about shared bathroom layouts, wandering risks, and perceived lack of expertise in memory-care staff. There are concrete concerns from families about safety and the adequacy of protocols in the memory unit. Because memory care is critical for many families, these inconsistent accounts should prompt prospective residents to ask specifically about unit layout, staffing ratios, training, and incident history.
Management, communication and policies: Multiple reviews highlight excellent communication—daily updates through an app, proactive family outreach, and a resident advocate who helps escalate concerns. At the same time, several reviews point to problematic leadership and corporate handling: unclear leadership during transitions, reliance on family liaisons, resistance to complaints, and even alleged retaliation or dishonesty from employees. COVID-related policies were handled well for some move-ins (precautions noted), but others experienced limited in-person visits, inconsistent information about protocols, or no tour provided. A number of reviewers recommended caution: ask direct questions about management stability, the current clinical leadership team, and how complaints are handled.
Community size, activities and social life: The community’s smaller size is a double-edged theme. For many families it is a major advantage—intimate, personal, staff know residents, and activities are meaningful and plentiful (bingo, live music, bus outings, religious services in several denominations, puzzles, theater and exercise programs). For others the small population limits friendship opportunities and on-site social variety. Prospective residents should consider whether they prefer a large campus with a wider social pool or a small community with closer personal attention.
Financial and miscellaneous considerations: Reviews mention both competitive pricing/value compared with other options and concerns about high pricing for some. Prospective residents should compare final quotes and unit inclusions closely. Other specific operational issues that appeared in reviews include the pushing of hospice services for some families, wait times for special meal requests, laundry schedules, scheduling flexibility, and occasional lack of Catholic worship or other desired offerings.
Conclusion and recommendations: Cedarhurst of Des Peres appears to offer a very attractive physical environment, thoughtful amenities, and for many families, attentive and compassionate staff who deliver a high quality of life. However, the collection of negative reviews raises important warning signs—leadership turnover, nursing-head concerns, inconsistent housekeeping and hygiene, mixed memory-care safety reports, and communication failures. These are not isolated minor gripes but recurring patterns that suggest service quality can be uneven.
If you are considering Cedarhurst of Des Peres, a thorough, targeted tour and conversation checklist is recommended. Ask about current clinical leadership and turnover; request specifics about housekeeping frequency and infection-control/hygiene practices in dining; tour the memory-care unit and inquire about bathroom layout, elopement/wandering protocols, and staff training; confirm how complaints are handled and get examples of recent improvements; verify COVID and hospice policies; and seek references from current families. Also inquire about staffing ratios by shift, wait-times for special meal requests, and the community’s approach to social engagement given its smaller size. These focused questions will help determine whether your likely experience will align with the many positive reports or the serious concerns noted by other families.
