The reviews of Friends Care Assisted Living present a strongly mixed picture, with a substantial number of positive comments about the facility, grounds, and many staff members, alongside several serious complaints about care, communication, and operations. The facility is frequently described as beautiful and well maintained: reviewers repeatedly praise the semi-wooded setting, well-tended grounds, and a pond that residents can walk around. The small-community feel (noted as roughly 20 rooms in one summary) and clean, comfortable rooms contribute to an overall home-like atmosphere for many families. Physical amenities such as spacious, easy-to-use showers, a nice rehab area, and a juice-bar/family dining area are repeatedly mentioned as positives.
Staff quality and responsiveness appear as a major theme with divergent reports. Numerous reviewers describe staff as loving, friendly, warm, and attentive; specific staff members are named positively (Hannah the supervisor, cook Noel, therapist and staff like Brandy), and people compliment the administrator for keeping families informed. Praise also focuses on good staff-to-resident ratios, an attentive physical therapist, and staff meeting residents' physical, dietary, and mental needs. At the same time, several reviews allege serious problems: rude or disrespectful behavior, refusal to provide medication information, differential treatment of residents, and in the most concerning accounts, apparent neglect (failure to bathe or assist, leaving residents in hospital gowns, not helping into vehicles). These negative reports are strong enough that one reviewer gave a one-star rating and suggested legal action; another mentions that one staff member was fired, which may indicate corrective action but also points to past staff issues.
Dining and activities show similar mixed patterns. Many reviewers praise the meals as delicious and note dietary accommodations such as gluten-free options and a variety of activities including bingo and family events. The cook and dining setup receive positive mentions. Conversely, there are reports of denied vegan meal requests and commenters who say the food could be better, indicating inconsistency in menu accommodation and satisfaction. Activities and family involvement are highlighted as strengths, with regular events and opportunities for social engagement noted as well received by residents and families.
Operational and management issues deserve attention. Positive feedback about management includes an administrator who communicates well and staff who keep families informed. However, recurring operational concerns appear in the reviews: delays in arranging home health referrals, unexpected billing for transportation, and the need for clearer shift-change directions for incoming staff. These process problems can lead to frustration and may be linked to some of the negative care experiences reported. The presence of both high praise for certain employees and allegations of neglect or rudeness suggests variability in staff performance and possible turnover or training gaps.
Overall sentiment is polarized. A majority of comments focus on a beautiful facility, caring staff, good programming, and family-friendly activities; these are compelling positives for prospective residents who value environment and community feel. But the negative reports are serious and specific — medication information being withheld, dietary requests denied, and allegations of neglect — and therefore cannot be overlooked. They suggest that care quality may be inconsistent and that individual staff behavior or procedural problems have, at least occasionally, resulted in poor outcomes.
Recommendation: Anyone considering Friends Care Assisted Living should weigh the facility's evident strengths (grounds, small-community atmosphere, certain well-regarded staff, rehab resources, and activity programs) against the reported risks of inconsistent care and operational lapses. Before deciding, prospective residents and families should: (1) visit multiple times, including mealtimes and activity periods; (2) ask management directly about policies for medication access, dietary accommodations (including vegan options), transportation billing, and home health referral procedures; (3) request recent inspection reports, staffing ratios, staff turnover data, and references from current families; and (4) inquire about staff training, supervision, and any corrective actions taken in response to reported incidents. These steps can help confirm whether the positive aspects highlighted in many reviews are consistent and whether management has effectively addressed the serious concerns raised by other reviewers.
