South Hills Senior Living

    1117 Maxhelen Blvd, Waterloo, IA, 50701
    4.5 · 40 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    5.0

    Warm caring staff, excellent dining

    I'm very pleased with this small, country-like community - the staff and administrator are warm, caring, and responsive, and my loved one has improved and seems happier. Apartment-style independent living with kitchenettes, lifeline, and multiple care levels works well, and the dining is excellent (three meals, outstanding menu). Rooms are on the small/dark side with little separation between living/bedroom, there's no on-site healthcare, and it's a bit pricey. Overall clean, homey, good activities and I highly recommend it.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.47 · 40 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.7
    • Meals

      4.7
    • Amenities

      3.4
    • Value

      2.0

    Pros

    • Kind, compassionate and responsive staff
    • Multiple levels of care / ability to choose level of care
    • Encourages independence; residents appear more lively/younger
    • Reports of fewer falls and improved safety
    • Homey, country-like atmosphere and close-knit community feel
    • Clean environment and well-maintained building
    • Apartment-style living with kitchenette options and several room styles
    • Included amenities (aviary, library) and small community touches
    • Outstanding dining: great food, well-balanced meals, three meals/day
    • Varied activities and events that support hobbies and social life
    • Family-inclusive care approach and good communication with families
    • Helpful, informative tours and supportive administration
    • Lifeline/emergency systems available
    • Building quality and pretty setting stand out
    • Personal touches and hospitality at community events (cookies, coffee, themed events)

    Cons

    • Some apartments are very small and may be unsuitable for some residents
    • Rooms can be dark and lack separation between living room and bedroom
    • No on-site healthcare in certain independent living units (not suitable for higher care needs)
    • Pricey for some prospective residents
    • Low occupancy and small common spaces noted by some reviewers
    • Occasional limited access for tours (COVID-related) or limited tour experiences
    • A few reviews gave unclear impressions about meal quality or variety

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with multiple reviewers emphasizing compassionate staff, strong communication, and an atmosphere that improved their loved ones’ quality of life. Care quality is described favorably: staff are repeatedly called kind, caring, and responsive, nurses and administration are praised for being helpful, and families note that their relatives appear more lively and have experienced fewer falls. Several reviewers explicitly stated that their loved one’s life improved after moving in, and that medical care and oversight (where available) met expectations. The presence of lifeline/emergency systems and the community’s responsiveness to questions about care contributes to a sense of safety.

    Staff and management receive consistent praise. Reviewers singled out a wonderful administrator and friendly, compassionate caregivers. Communication with families and inclusion of family in care decisions are noted as positive patterns. Tours and pre-move information were frequently described as informative and helpful; however, a few tours were limited due to COVID restrictions. The overall tone implies a management team that is engaged, hospitable, and organized, with staff who deliver both practical care and personal attention.

    Facilities and living arrangements present a mixture of strengths and trade-offs. The community is described as clean, well-built, and set in a pleasant, country-like environment with attractive common areas. Apartment-style living with kitchenettes and several room styles is a plus for residents who want independence and to keep hobbies. Amenities such as an aviary, library, and community events add to the appealing atmosphere. At the same time, several reviewers raised concerns about apartment size and layout: some units were described as very small, dark, or lacking a distinct separation between living room and bedroom. Low occupancy and relatively small community rooms were mentioned by a few reviewers, which could be a pro for those seeking a quieter setting or a con for those wanting a larger social scene.

    Dining and activities are consistently highlighted as strengths. Multiple reviews praise the food—described as great, well-balanced, and with an outstanding menu—and mention three meals a day and a pleasant dining room. Activities and events, from regular programming to holiday-themed activities like trick-or-treating, contribute to resident engagement and family satisfaction. Reviewers appreciated the ability to maintain personal hobbies and the community’s event-oriented, hospitable culture (cookies, coffee, and other small gestures were noted as nice touches).

    Notable caution areas and patterns: cost is mentioned as “pricey” by at least one reviewer, which suggests potential affordability concerns for some families. The independent living model means that some units do not have on-site healthcare, so the community may be unsuitable for residents with higher or rapidly escalating medical needs; families should confirm the specific services available for different levels of care. A minority of reviewers noted limited or unclear impressions about meals or had restricted tours during the pandemic, so prospective residents should request current meal samples and an up-to-date tour when possible. Finally, those sensitive to unit layout and natural light should verify apartment sizes and floor plans in person, since some reviews specifically call out dark or cramped-feeling rooms.

    In summary, South Hills Senior Living is generally portrayed as a warm, well-run community with strong staff engagement, good dining, and a range of living options that support independence and family involvement. It appears particularly well-suited for seniors who value a homey, country-like environment, attentive staff, and apartment-style independence. Prospective residents and families should, however, assess unit size/layout, confirm the level of clinical care available in the specific accommodation they are considering, and weigh cost against the amenities and personalized care the community offers.

    Location

    Map showing location of South Hills Senior Living

    About South Hills Senior Living

    South Hills Senior Living in Waterloo, IA, offers different levels of care including independent living, assisted living, memory care for dementia or Alzheimer's, and nursing home options. The community has apartments in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, and every apartment comes with its own private bathroom with a walk-in shower, grab bars for safety, a kitchenette, and some have views of the courtyard, fountains, backyard greenspace, or front yard activity depending on their location. Residents can choose from homes with luxury upgrades too. Safety features include secured entrances, call-in entry, elevator service, handicap accessibility, sprinkler systems, and clear safety protocols.

    There's a focus on comfort and daily support. Housekeepers provide bi-weekly light housekeeping and linen services. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available, and grounds upkeep like lawncare and snow removal happens regularly. Staff can help residents who need assistance with walking, using a wheelchair, dressing, grooming, bathing, or toileting. Nurses, occupational therapy, wound care, medication help, and podiatry services are offered onsite for medical needs.

    The kitchen staff serve up home-cooked breakfasts, lunches, and dinners every day and can adjust meals for different diets. Residents have access to wireless internet and cable TV with retirement programming in their rooms. Common spaces are set up for family or friends to gather, and guests can stay in guest rooms when available.

    The property has a dining room, activity and game rooms, gardens with fountains, a fitness center, a salon/barbershop, washers and dryers, and plenty of guest parking. The community calendar is always full of fitness classes, social gatherings, arts and crafts, educational workshops, and wellness programs that promote physical, mental, and social well-being. There's scheduled transportation for regular shopping trips, medical appointments, and outings to local spots.

    South Hills Senior Living helps residents and their families understand care choices and move-in steps, and the staff supports personal care plans and discharge planning as needed. There's long-term care insurance available. The community offers both in-person and virtual tours and has a connect function for scheduling assessments or talking about specific care needs. Memory care programming is in place for those who need it, designed around personal routines and preferences.

    South Hills Senior Living aims to offer seniors housing tailored for their needs in a supportive setting, where comfort, safety, and connection to others are prioritized every day.

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