Overall sentiment: Reviews for Lakeside Manor Retirement center heavily emphasize the quality of care and the dedication of staff while consistently noting that the physical plant is older and in need of updating. Most reviewers highlight staff as the facility's strongest asset — described repeatedly as caring, attentive, prompt, professional, and personal. Multiple accounts praise specific managers and caregivers by name and note long tenure and low turnover among employees. Staff actions that are frequently called out include 24/7 on‑site availability, proactive communication with families, frequent resident checks, assistance during COVID quarantine processes, and an overall watchful approach that preserves resident independence while maintaining safety.
Care quality and safety: The facility receives strong marks for resident safety, infection control and general caregiving. Many families explicitly credit Lakeside Manor with keeping residents safe during COVID, delivering meals to rooms when necessary, and providing vigilant monitoring. Housekeeping and weekly laundry service are commonly mentioned as included and reliable. Several reviewers reported that staff go out of their way to make residents feel at home, respond promptly to needs, and maintain dignity. That said, a minority of reviews recount troubling isolated incidents — reports that staff ignored a resident in clear distress, wandering residents being overlooked, or other lapses in supervision. These anecdotes are exceptions in a sea of overwhelmingly positive staff comments, but they are significant and worth noting.
Activities and social life: Reviews uniformly describe a busy, well‑organized activity calendar. Residents regularly enjoy Bible study, bingo, movie nights, trivia, Wii/online bowling, cheese-and-wine Sundays, bus trips, field trips, walking around nearby Virginia Lake, and frequent social events. The social atmosphere is often described as warm and familial; many reviewers mention residents forming tablemate friendships and being genuinely happy and engaged. Transportation services for medical appointments and shopping are repeatedly praised for reliability and convenience, enhancing residents’ ability to stay socially active in the community.
Dining and food service: Most reviewers praise the food — many note homemade meals, variety, salad bars, and breakfast‑to‑order options. Three meals per day with alternatives are a common positive. However, complaints about dining do occur: a subset of reviewers report food shortages, small portions, inconsistent quality, or even unprofessional kitchen practices (e.g., staff eating before residents). A few reviews mention issues with dining‑room cleanliness and requests for better portion control. Overall, dining is generally a strength but with occasional operational problems that affect some residents’ experience.
Facilities and amenities: A major and recurrent theme is that Lakeside Manor is an older, functional building in need of refurbishment. Multiple reviewers note worn carpets, outdated furniture, popcorn ceilings, dark and narrow hallways, and a heavy need for fresh paint, new flooring and modernized common areas. Apartments are often described as medium‑sized studios with a kitchenette and some nice bathrooms; one‑bedrooms are less common but available in some cases. Amenities such as a library, garden patio, exercise room, salon, two elevators, and activity rooms are appreciated. The property’s lakeside location and proximity to local points of interest (e.g., Peppermill, Virginia Lake) are called out as conveniences and positives. Yet the building’s dated appearance and occasional odors or dirty common areas detract from the overall impression for many.
Management, tours, and admissions: Management and front‑line leaders are frequently praised for responsiveness and personal attention; several reviewers singled out managers and tour guides for being warm, informative, and accommodating. Conversely, there are notable complaints about aggressive sales practices in a few reviews — pressure to place non‑refundable holds and strong‑arm tactics — as well as at least one report of an untruthful tour guide. Communication issues were cited by some reviewers, but most families reported good communication and proactive calls when a resident was unwell or off‑schedule.
Value and suitability: Affordability and perceived value are consistent selling points. Many reviewers compare Lakeside Manor favorably to pricier, newer communities, citing it as a good value for people who want a safe, social independent living environment without luxury finishes. The community fits residents who prioritize staff quality, social programs, and location over modern aesthetics. That said, prospective residents seeking newer construction, upscale finishes, or larger apartments may find the facility less appealing.
Negative patterns and red flags: While the majority of feedback is positive regarding staff and programming, several recurring negative themes deserve attention: the building’s age and maintenance backlog; inconsistent cleanliness in some common areas; intermittent dining issues; occasional staff fatigue or under‑resourcing; and isolated but serious allegations (bed bugs, severe neglect, or strong‑arm sales). These issues appear in a small fraction of reviews but are serious when they occur and indicate variability in resident experience that prospective families should carefully probe during tours and visits.
Conclusion: Lakeside Manor emerges as a community with exceptional heart and strong caregiving practices but with a physical facility that shows its age. If staff quality, safety, socialization, transportation and affordability are top priorities, Lakeside Manor rates highly. If modern finishes, spacious apartments, and a newly renovated environment are important, this community may fall short without planned upgrades. Prospective residents and families should arrange multiple visits, meet staff and residents, inspect specific apartments and common areas, ask about any pest or cleanliness incidents, and clarify admission/hold policies to ensure it meets their expectations and needs.
