Overall impression: Reviews of Mennonite Friendship Communities are mixed but lean positive for independent living, amenities, and many aspects of assisted care. Multiple reviewers consistently praise the friendliness and professionalism of a large portion of the staff, the cleanliness and upkeep of the indoor and outdoor spaces, and the breadth of on-site amenities. At the same time, there are recurring and significant concerns about inconsistency in skilled nursing and long-term care that create a meaningful split in resident experiences.
Staff and care quality: Staff are frequently described as excellent, friendly, congenial, patient and caring; many reviews highlight helpful maintenance staff, courteous dining staff, and specific praise for outstanding nurses and caregivers. Physical therapy and rehabilitation services are singled out as a particular strength, with reports of solid progress. However, several reviews report troubling lapses in nursing care: uncaring or non-empathetic behavior from some employees, aides not identifying themselves, missed medication (including scheduled pain medication), and in at least one case a privacy breach and rummaging through personal belongings. High staff turnover was also mentioned and likely contributes to inconsistent experiences across units and over time. The net impression is that while many staff members provide excellent care, reliability is uneven—especially in skilled nursing—so outcomes depend heavily on which team is currently staffing a unit.
Facilities and amenities: The campus offers a wide variety of well-kept amenities that reviewers repeatedly note as a strength: a large library, well-equipped wood workshop and hobby rooms, beauty shop, chapel, pool room, outdoor pond for fishing, resident-run general store, sewing machines, and a donation-funded shop. Apartments with outside patio access, large laundry facilities, and convenient features (some units with sinks) are also positives. Reviewers describe the facility as neat and clean both inside and out. Conversely, some rooms were described as outdated and in need of remodeling; a few reviewers called the living spaces expensive relative to condition. The facility’s large scale is also noted as a downside for some residents who found the campus confusing to navigate.
Activities, social life and dining: Social programming and activities are a strong recurring positive. Reports include many exercise classes, arts and crafts, cards, holiday decorating, and regular social opportunities that contribute to residents feeling safe, happy and engaged. The dining experience is frequently described as good or better than most: the dining area is tidy, and food is flavorful and well-regarded. Some niche services—pedicures/manicures and other personal services—are also available. A few comments suggest some entertainment options (for example, tablet-based entertainment) are available but not staffed, which may limit usefulness for some residents.
Affordability and living options: Independent living receives positive comments for safety, happiness and value, and reviewers note that income-based duplexes offer an affordable option that is "not fancy but nice." Several reviewers explicitly call the community a good value for the price, while a minority describe costs as high, especially when room condition or skilled nursing expectations are factored in.
Patterns and recommendations: The strongest pattern is a split between generally strong independent living and rehabilitative/therapy services versus uneven skilled nursing experiences. Many reviewers stayed for years and praised the community as the best choice in the county, while others reported poor care that prompted moves to other facilities. Reported problems—missed medications, privacy concerns, and uncaring interactions—are serious and should be weighed carefully by prospective residents and families. High staff turnover and occasional limited equipment for therapy may help explain the variability.
Bottom line: Mennonite Friendship Communities offers many valuable features—clean, well-maintained grounds, abundant amenities, active social programming, good food, and competent rehabilitation services—making it an attractive option for independent living and short-term rehab for many people. However, prospective residents should be aware of variability in long-term skilled nursing quality and staffing, and should proactively ask about current staffing levels, staff turnover, medication administration procedures, and recent room renovations when touring. The community appears to deliver good value and a congenial environment for many, but some reviewers report serious deficiencies that merit careful inquiry before committing to long-term care there.
