Overall sentiment in the reviews for Berk's Leisure Living is mixed but leans toward value-oriented, comfortable short-term/respite care with several strong positives and notable caveats. Many reviewers emphasize affordability, a home-like rural atmosphere, and social spaces such as a library and community room. Several accounts praise the presence of dedicated long-term nurse aides (as opposed to agency staff), new management efforts, and an active programming calendar run by activity coordinators. Amenities that draw positive remarks include an on-site salon, visiting foot and family doctors, exercise room, spacious rooms and wide hallways, single-room options, and proximity for family visits. Multiple reviewers specifically call out kind, helpful staff and commend the facility for being COVID-free and doing a good job with dressing and personal care assistance.
However, the reviews also reveal recurring and significant concerns about clinical staffing and management. Several reviewers report that there is no licensed nurse or certified nursing assistant on site and describe the facility as short-staffed; these points are particularly important for families needing continuous or higher-level medical care. There are also reports that the facility operates more as a respite/short-stay option rather than a place suited to permanent placement. Management impressions are mixed: while some mention new management positively, other reviewers specifically criticize the administrator for gossiping about residents and for poor leadership, suggesting inconsistency in oversight and culture.
Staff behavior and reliability are another area of polarization. Many reviews praise warm, helpful caregivers, while other accounts describe staff as rude, mean, standoffish, or spending time on their phones. Several reviewers reported instances of gossip and disrespect toward residents or between staff, and some mention cigarette smoke odor and 'old building' aroma that detracts from the environment. These mixed reports indicate variable shift-to-shift experiences and possible morale or training issues among personnel.
Facility condition and programming also show mixed impressions. On the positive side, reviewers note active programs, entertainment, and lots of daily activities run by coordinators; others state there is a lack of activities. Physical amenities like the exercise room, salon, and communal areas are highlighted as strengths, while décor is described as simple and the building as older by some. Dining likewise receives split feedback — several visitors said meals looked or smelled good, while others criticized the food quality.
Medical access and costs deserve specific attention: there are visiting clinicians (foot doctor, family doctor), but reviewers reported extra charges for doctor's appointments and questioned the availability of 24-hour care. These points, together with reports of no licensed nurse on site, suggest families should verify clinical staffing levels, on-call coverage, and any out-of-pocket fees before placement.
In summary, Berk's Leisure Living appears to be a competitively priced, rural respite-style facility with a homelike feel, social programming, and several helpful amenities. It may be a very good option for families seeking short-term stays, affordable care, or a community with daily activities and on-site services. However, mixed reports about staffing levels, clinical coverage, management behavior, and occasional poor staff conduct mean it may be less appropriate for individuals requiring continuous skilled nursing or those who need consistently supervised clinical care. Prospective residents and families should tour in person, ask for specifics about licensed nursing coverage and staff-to-resident ratios, inquire about additional charges (e.g., doctor visit fees), and observe multiple shifts to assess consistency of staffing and atmosphere.
