Overall sentiment: Reviews for Shalom Gardens Senior Assisted Living are mixed but tilt positive in volume and tone; many reviewers emphasize a warm, compassionate culture and strong individual staff members, while a notable minority report serious lapses in care and operational issues. The most consistent positives are staff dedication, an active activities program, a clean and pleasant facility, and an administrator who is visible and well-regarded. The most concerning negatives are inconsistent caregiving (including hygiene lapses), understaffing, and reports tied to management changes that some families perceive as cost-cutting.
Care quality and staff: A significant number of reviews describe very high-quality, personal care. Specific staff members receive frequent commendations—administrator Brigitta (Brigitta Lewis) is repeatedly called out as compassionate and hands-on; nurses such as Susan and Julianna and caregivers like Chernika are named for attentive care; activity staff including Bri, Bre, Michelle, and Nancy are credited with engaging residents. Reviewers report staff who go the extra mile, quick and honest responses, and a sense that residents are treated with dignity. However, there is a clear pattern of inconsistency: some reviewers report poor care quality, long wait times for medications and assistance, rough handling, and neglectful hygiene (e.g., residents bathed only once, left in wet incontinence, urine found in rooms). Understaffing is mentioned repeatedly as a contributing factor to delayed assistance and uneven service.
Activities and engagement: Multiple reviews praise the activities program as fun, stimulating, and varied—there are numerous activities and outings, and coordinators actively encourage participation. For many residents the program promotes engagement and happiness; reviewers specifically praise staff who lead activities with enthusiasm (Bri is frequently mentioned). Conversely, a few reviewers—particularly those reporting short-term/respite stays—felt their family members were not encouraged to join activities or that staff did not actively engage them, suggesting variability in outreach to less-mobile or withdrawn residents.
Facilities, cleanliness, and environment: Many reviewers describe Shalom Gardens as clean, well-maintained, and beautiful, with bright, large rooms and comfortable common areas. Weekly housekeeping and well-kept grounds are noted. At the same time, several reviews raise concrete cleanliness and maintenance concerns—instances of urine in rooms and odor, and descriptions of the independent living side as dated, dark, or needing TLC. The assisted-living portion is generally viewed more positively than the independent wing by some reviewers.
Dining and therapy services: Opinions on dining are mixed. Several reviewers find the menu appealing and meals good or excellent, while others describe food as "not very good" or mention delayed meals. Physical/occupational therapy experiences are also mixed: some note challenging therapy (which may be good if appropriately rigorous), but others report therapy starting late or insufficiently coordinated (one respite case reported PT started late and the attending physician was not contacted until discharge day). These inconsistencies suggest variable coordination of clinical services.
Management, operations, and notable patterns: Administration receives both praise and criticism. Many families appreciate an accommodating and communicative administration—examples include flexibility to keep a resident in the same apartment and support for hospice in place. The administrator Brigitta is a frequent positive mention. At the same time, several reviewers raise red flags tied to new ownership or management changes, including alleged cost-cutting measures and declines in service quality. Understaffing and variability between shifts appear to be recurring operational issues. Importantly, reviews show a clear split: many families feel this is a five-star community with staff who make it "feel like home," while a minority share serious concerns about neglect, rudeness, and hygiene lapses.
Conclusion and implications for prospective families: The majority of reviews highlight strong, compassionate staff, an active activities program, and a pleasant physical environment—factors that create a sense of safety and engagement for many residents. However, a meaningful minority report serious care failures and operational weaknesses, especially related to staffing levels, hygiene, and consistency of medical/therapy follow-through. Prospective residents and families should thus weigh those positive staff and facility strengths against the occasional severe negative reports. Based on these reviews, recommended due diligence includes touring both independent and assisted areas, asking about recent management changes and staffing ratios, inquiring specifically about hygiene and medication-response protocols, and speaking directly with current families or residents about consistency of care across shifts.
