Overall sentiment and tone The reviews for Maplewood Care Center are highly polarized but heavily weighted toward severe negative experiences. While a minority of reviewers describe the facility as caring, therapeutic, and improved in some areas, a substantial portion of reviews allege systemic problems that affect resident safety, hygiene, financial integrity, and staff professionalism. The negative reports are not minor complaints — they include serious allegations such as abuse, neglect resulting in bedsores and untreated wounds, medication and feeding-tube mismanagement, theft of residents’ funds and valuables, and potential regulatory/financial wrongdoing. These are repeated across multiple summaries and indicate patterns that families and oversight agencies would consider high risk.
Care quality and clinical safety A major theme is inconsistent and often poor clinical care. Multiple reviews describe failure to provide basic nursing tasks (missed vital signs, missed baths, missed feeding/dining assistance), delayed or absent physician response, and inadequate skilled nursing services after surgery. Several reviewers report bedsores developing while in care, neglected wound treatments, and dangerous PEG-tube incidents (a resident left with a hole in the PEG site). Medication practices are repeatedly called into question, with allegations ranging from insulin administration without proper documentation to reuse of an insulin pen across residents. Falls and safety incidents (including a resident reportedly falling onto concrete) are cited alongside claims that incident reports and appropriate follow-up were not always completed. These reports collectively point to lapses in both direct care and clinical oversight.
Staff behavior, culture, and management Reviews contain extensive and recurring claims of unprofessional, abusive, or neglectful staff conduct. Complaints include aides using foul language, verbal and physical abuse, staff stepping over residents, and staff distracted by phones or video-chatting while supposed to be providing care. Several reviews describe a hostile workplace culture: managers or HR reportedly yell at employees, staff who complain may be terminated or escorted out, and whistleblowers face retaliation. Multiple reviewers allege racist language or discriminatory behavior by staff or leadership. Conversely, other reviews praise particular staff members (nurses, therapists, SLPs, activity staff, and some leaders) as dedicated and compassionate. The juxtaposition of these views suggests significant variation in staff performance and possibly inconsistent leadership influence across shifts or departments.
Cleanliness, infection control, and environment A strong, repeated concern is facility cleanliness and infection control. Numerous summaries describe pervasive odors of urine and feces, roach infestations, bodily fluids on floors or linens, filthy carpets and bathrooms, open ceiling tiles, and trash accumulation. Several reviewers were alarmed by pest encounters (including a roach in a resident’s ear) and by records of unsanitary nursing equipment or soiled bedding. These reports raise red flags about housekeeping reliability, infection prevention, and general maintenance. That said, some reviews report renovated areas, fresh paint, clean dining rooms, and rooms that smelled fresh — reinforcing the impression of inconsistent conditions within the facility.
Financial, legal, and documentation concerns There are serious allegations around theft and financial misconduct: missing cash, stolen debit cards, forged documents, unauthorized charges, and claims that checks were taken for deceased residents. Some reviewers alleged overcharging for skilled therapy or billing for longer periods than services provided. Others mention that complaints attracted poor administrative responses and sometimes retaliatory actions. References to Adult Protective Services involvement, state complaints, and even an IRS investigation appear in the reviews; while these references are claims from reviewers and not confirmation of outcomes, their recurrence indicates families perceived potential regulatory or legal wrongdoing and that external investigations were of concern.
Facilities, dining, and activities On the positive side, multiple reviewers praised the therapy teams (physical therapy, SLP), the dining experience (three meals, good food, pleasant dining rooms), and activities (bingo, holiday parties, social programming). Some reviewers highlighted a fenced courtyard, scenic views, and a welcoming atmosphere on initial tours. However, other reviewers reported dark rooms, locked or prison-like doors, non-working bathrooms, and photos online that did not match reality. This split suggests that certain areas or programs are well-run while others suffer from neglect or are poorly maintained.
Variability, patterns, and credibility considerations One of the clearest patterns is wide variability in experience: several reviewers describe excellent, caring staff and strong clinical leadership, while many more describe abusive, neglectful, or unsafe conditions. Reports of management encouraging or posting fake five-star reviews and allegations of employee coercion to leave positive feedback complicate the evaluation of online ratings. The coexistence of glowing praise for specific clinicians or departments (notably therapy staff and some named leaders) alongside repeated allegations of abuse, theft, and systemic neglect suggests either uneven quality across shifts and units or a facility undergoing significant turnover and instability.
Recommendations and summary judgement Given the frequency and severity of the negative themes — specifically neglect (bedsores, missed care), medication and feeding-tube safety issues, chronic sanitation/pest problems, theft and billing allegations, and claims of abusive management practices — prospective residents and families should exercise strong caution. If considering Maplewood Care Center, important steps would include: visiting multiple times at different hours and days, asking to see recent state inspection surveys and complaint histories, speaking directly with current families and staff (not just administration), verifying therapy and nursing coverage for the needed level of care, checking financial/billing practices carefully, and confirming infection control and housekeeping processes are functioning reliably. For regulators and advocates, the reviews contain repeated, specific allegations (some naming practices and individuals) that would warrant thorough investigation and verification.
Final note The review corpus shows a facility with real strengths — dedicated clinicians, effective therapists, and meaningful activities reported by some families — but also many recurring, serious allegations that impact resident safety, dignity, and finances. The balance of documented complaints and the gravity of issues reported (abuse, neglect, theft, unsafe medication and wound care) make the facility a high-priority candidate for careful scrutiny by families and oversight authorities. Potential residents should prioritize direct verification of the concerns above before placement and maintain active family involvement if a loved one is placed at Maplewood Care Center.
