Overall sentiment across these reviews is strongly mixed but leans positive: a large number of reviewers praise Sherwood Lodge for compassionate, engaged staff; a clean, attractive, nearly-new building; roomy, well-equipped apartments; robust amenities; and an active life for residents. Many family members single out individual staff and leaders (several reviewers named staff such as Charles, Michelle, Kim, and managers including Heather) for hands-on attention, kindness, and steady involvement. Positive reports consistently note prompt maintenance, coordinated medical transportation, and staff who go above and beyond day-to-day caregiving. The facility’s atmosphere and décor — described as ski-lodge-like with fireplaces, fresh-baked goods in the lobby, and hotel-like public spaces — is frequently highlighted as making residents feel comfortable and cared for.
Care quality and staff: The dominant theme is that caregiving staff are caring, visible, and personable, and many families report that their loved ones are “thriving,” happier, and safe. Reviewers praise attentive executive- and director-level involvement when staff leaders are present and engaged. Multiple comments highlight the staff’s role in fostering social connections and supporting residents’ individual needs. However, there are several serious negative accounts that contrast sharply with the majority: these include reports of missed baths/showers, slow responses to call lights, insensitive nurse behavior, and in at least one striking review, allegations of narcotics theft by nurses and severe neglect that purportedly led to hospitalization. These negative accounts are relatively isolated in number but severe in nature and should be treated as important red flags to investigate further during any inquiry.
Facilities and apartments: Many reviewers describe the building as new, clean, and beautifully decorated. Apartments are frequently noted as large, some specifically cited as ~850 sq ft two-bedroom corner units with full kitchens, washer/dryer in-unit, and large walk-in showers — features that residents and families clearly appreciate. On-site amenities are extensive: a movie theater, chapel, activities center, exercise room, salon, and a lounge/restaurant-style dining area are all reported repeatedly. The facility is also described as quiet and close to home, which families value. A notable architectural concern in several reviews is that some apartments lack outside-facing windows; reviewers stated that units without exterior windows diminish perceived value and could negatively impact residents’ mental health due to lack of natural light.
Dining and activities: Dining is a strong selling point in many reviews: Chef David and kitchen staff receive repeated praise for varied menus, fresh-baked items, and a fresh salad bar. Families also mention ample portions and hotel-style dining. That said, there are recurring comments about inconsistency in the kitchen — several reviewers said the facility has had trouble keeping a decent cook and that meal quality can vary. Activities are another major positive: residents enjoy bands, singers, movie nights, weekly shopping trips, outings, on-site musical groups, exercise and physical activity programs, and technology options (e.g., big-screen video games, lobby computer). The overall activities program appears robust and well-attended, contributing to residents’ enjoyment and social engagement.
Management and communication: Many reviews praise hands-on and communicative managers and directors who resolve issues and are personally involved in resident care. Conversely, several reviews describe problematic management behaviors: a change in leadership that resulted in an uncommunicative or “mean” manager, management ignoring family concerns, and inconsistent visibility of leaders. These mixed accounts suggest variability in management quality over time or among different managers; prospective residents should ask about recent turnover, current leadership, and typical channels for family communication.
Serious concerns and variability: While the majority of accounts emphasize good care and a pleasant environment, a minority of reviews raise significant, potentially actionable concerns: allegations of narcotics theft by nurses, reports of dirty conditions and employees working under the influence, claims of the facility being the “worst nursing home” with absent therapy and severe neglect, and instances of missed care and slow response times. These are serious claims that, even if isolated, warrant careful follow-up: check state inspection reports and complaint histories, request information on narcotics controls and staff background checks, ask about staffing ratios and turnover, and probe how the facility monitors call-light response times and missed-care incidents.
Value and recommendations: Perceived value is mixed. Some reviewers say pricing is reasonable and a good alternative, while others find it expensive or say the lack of windows diminishes value for the price. Grounds and outdoor space are described as limited by several reviewers, which may matter for residents who want more outdoor access. Given the overall pattern — many enthusiastic endorsements but a few very serious negative reports — prospective residents and families should tour multiple apartment types (confirm presence of exterior windows and natural light), sample meals, meet both caregiving and kitchen staff, attend an activities event, and speak with current resident families. Additionally, review state licensing/inspection records, ask for staffing and turnover statistics, and inquire specifically about narcotics/security controls, call-light response metrics, and protocols for missed care. Doing so will help reconcile the many positive experiences with the isolated but severe concerns evident in these reviews.
