The reviews of Preakness Healthcare Center show a facility with strong physical attributes and active programming but with highly inconsistent service and staffing. Many reviewers praise the building and grounds as recently remodeled and attractive, with large rooms that can feel private due to dividers, sparkling cleanliness, pleasant courtyards and gardens, and on-site amenities such as TVs in rooms, hair styling, and manicures. Activities are frequently noted as a positive: bingo, game rooms, a library, monthly trips and outings, and other social events contribute to a family-like atmosphere. A number of families report excellent, even life-saving, medical and rehabilitation care — timely physician transport, effective physical therapy, a pulmonary/trach unit, and attentive clinical staff who alerted families to health concerns. Several reviews singled out exceptional aides and nurses and described compassionate, respectful interactions that gave families peace of mind.
However, these positive experiences sit alongside numerous and serious concerns that create a polarized picture. The most consistent negative theme is understaffing and inconsistent staffing coverage. Reviewers report long response times, empty nurses' stations, difficulty reaching staff at the front desk or by phone, and staff turnover that appears to affect continuity of care. This inconsistency is connected to a range of adverse outcomes described in multiple reviews: infrequent bathing that allegedly contributed to bed sores, medication mistakes or medications administered without notifying family, and situations where residents were left insufficiently assisted with feeding or breathing difficulties. One review mentions a state report and allegations of abusive or neglectful practices, and others warn of aggressive or unprofessional staff behavior. These reports suggest a risk of neglect when staffing is insufficient or when particular staff members are disengaged.
Dining and food service emerge as another mixed area. Some reviewers describe meals as healthy and the dining room as nice, and a few say meals were excellent. Yet several reviewers criticize the kitchen for poor execution and not following the posted menu, with examples of incorrect meal items being served. Opinions about food quality therefore vary widely by report and perhaps by shift or unit. Similarly, while many reviews praise cleanliness and accommodations, others point to practical facility problems: certain wings reported being extremely hot, which residents found uncomfortable and potentially unsafe, and there are complaints that hospital-style beds and mattresses need improvement.
Communication and administrative processes are a recurring concern. Multiple reviews cite rude or unresponsive front-desk staff, lack of voicemail or returned calls, and poor or dismissive communication about health incidents. Some families experienced admission delays tied to Medicaid or felt the facility questioned its ability to care for handicapped residents, resulting in stress and confusion. Visitor access and security also produced friction for some families — one account describes guests waiting in a parking lot due to visitor-only signage and security presence. At the same time, other families praise the administration and note helpful, responsive communication, indicating variability dependent on staff, time of day, or individual administrators.
Taken together, the reviews paint Preakness Healthcare Center as a physically appealing and activity-rich facility with demonstrated clinical strengths in nursing and rehabilitation for many residents, but with significant variability driven largely by staffing, communication, and management consistency. For prospective residents and families this means that experiences can be very positive when caring, competent staff are on duty and when units are well-staffed, but there is a nontrivial risk of poor outcomes during understaffed shifts or with problematic personnel. Important practical steps for families considering Preakness would be to visit the specific unit at different times of day, ask about staffing ratios and turnover, inquire about how medication and family notifications are handled, verify how heat and environmental controls are maintained on each wing, and discuss roommate and private-room options. Monitoring care closely after admission and maintaining regular communication with nursing leadership may help identify issues early given the inconsistent reports across reviewers.
