Overall sentiment in the review summaries for Zerbe Retirement Community is mixed but leans positive in several important areas of resident care and environment while raising significant operational and management concerns that prospective residents and families should note.
Care quality is commonly praised: multiple reviewers highlight kind, compassionate nursing and CNA/LPN teams, good rehabilitation efforts, and examples of staff going above and beyond (farewell visits, personalized attention). Many families explicitly state that residents were well cared for, that medical needs were met, and that the community delivered excellent day-to-day caregiving. There are frequent mentions of a family-like, homey atmosphere in which residents feel encouraged and supported, and some reviews point to a faith-driven mission that shapes staff behavior and relationships.
Facility condition and amenities receive consistently positive remarks. Reviewers describe the community as very clean, quiet at times, and well maintained. Apartments are called spacious and bright, and common areas such as game rooms are appreciated. The physical environment appears to contribute to residents’ comfort and family satisfaction in many cases.
Social life and activities are another strength. Multiple reviews note active daily activities and social programming, with residents enjoying outings (pre-pandemic) and opportunities to meet emotional and social needs. Families frequently cite that long-term residents were content with the programming and social atmosphere, and that teamwork among staff supported a pleasant community life.
However, there are recurring operational and administrative concerns that stand out. Several reviewers reported poor admission logistics — arriving without access codes, unclear directions/signage (GPS confusion), and codes unexpectedly required not only for building entry but even for disposal/trash areas. One review specifically recounts being assigned rooms or wings on the first day with little staff oversight and no staff available to verify assignments or supervise transfers; families had to rely on other residents’ statements about mobility and transfer needs. These reports point to potential safety gaps in intake and transfer procedures.
Staffing and management show a notable split in sentiment. While direct care staff (CNAs, LPNs, nurses) are repeatedly described as caring and high quality, several reviews criticize administration and leadership. Complaints allege an unprofessional work environment, disrespectful administration, favoritism, and a judgmental Director of Nursing (DON) unwilling to accommodate medical needs. There are serious allegations of discrimination and mistreatment in some accounts — described strongly by reviewers as "worst experience" or "horror stories." These negative reports contrast sharply with many positive endorsements, creating an inconsistent overall picture where frontline caregiving may be strong but administrative responsiveness and workplace culture are uneven.
Short-staffing and inconsistency in care delivery appear intermittently and are linked to some of the safety and supervision concerns. Reviewers note that staffing shortages sometimes affected supervision during transfers or timely resolution of issues. Dining receives mixed reviews: some praise particular meals (fish dinners), but others report overcooked vegetables and limited meat options. Pandemic-era restrictions (visitation limits) were a concern but several reviewers also acknowledged that the facility implemented safety measures and managed COVID-related care well.
In summary, Zerbe Retirement Community earns strong praise for compassionate direct care, cleanliness, comfortable facilities, and an engaging social environment. These strengths make it a good fit for many residents, particularly those who value a warm, family-like setting and attentive nursing staff. At the same time, there are repeated and substantive cautions: problematic intake/entry procedures, instances of inadequate supervision for transfers, reports of discrimination or unprofessional leadership, and occasional short-staffing. Prospective residents and families should weigh the generally positive caregiving and facility attributes against these operational and administrative concerns, and should consider asking targeted questions during tours or admissions about admission procedures, transfer supervision, staffing levels, leadership responsiveness, and how the community addresses complaints and prevents favoritism or discrimination.
