Overall impression: Reviews for Saint Mary's at Asbury Ridge are strongly mixed and display a clear pattern: the facility itself is frequently praised for its aesthetics, maintenance, and amenities, and many reviewers report excellent, compassionate frontline staff and very effective rehabilitation services. However, a sizable and recurring set of serious operational and clinical complaints — notably understaffing, slow call responses, episodes of theft, management shortcomings, and documented clinical safety issues — temper those positives and create significant variability in residents' experiences.
Facilities and amenities: Across reviews the physical plant scores very highly. Multiple reviewers describe an appealing exterior, lovely grounds, updated and modernized interiors, private rooms with kitchenettes/sitting areas, patios, chapel space, and pleasant common areas such as a cafe and gift shop. The building is frequently called clean and well maintained; maintenance staff and outdoor spaces are praised. The institutional character (Catholic/Sisters of Saint Joseph heritage) and chapel are meaningful to some families. Activities are varied and well-attended in many reports: bingo, movie nights, therapy dogs, word games, library and computer access, and frequent transportation services are all positive features that support social engagement.
Care quality and rehabilitation: Rehabilitation and therapy are among the strongest frequently cited positives. Numerous reviewers single out intensive physical therapy, helpful rehabilitation staff, and staff who enabled residents to regain mobility and independence. Occupational and speech therapy services are also noted. Many short-stay rehab experiences are described as successful, with residents returning home after a few weeks. At the same time, there are multiple reports of inconsistent clinical care: therapy sometimes stopped earlier than expected, questionable therapy decisions, and at least a few accounts of residents not receiving adequate rehabilitation. More alarmingly, some reviews allege serious clinical events and infections (MRSA, urinary tract infections, pneumonia), unexplained weight loss, falls, and even deaths tied to care shortfalls. Reports of missed glucose monitoring, being left on the toilet too long, medication administration delays, and slow authorization for leaves underscore variability in clinical monitoring and staffing capacity.
Staff and culture: Many reviewers praise frontline staff as friendly, caring, and exceptionally helpful — nurses, rehab staff, and aides receive numerous favorable mentions. Conversely, a significant group of reviews report poor staff attitudes, unprofessional behavior, and preferential treatment for certain residents. There are repeated complaints about understaffing (particularly in evenings), staff being rushed or inattentive, and systemic communication failures — including phone access problems, failure to change sheets, unmaintained hearing aids, and delayed or mishandled deliveries. The duality is striking: the same facility is described as having both ‘wonderful’ and ‘horrible’ staff behavior depending on the reviewer, suggesting variability between shifts, units, or staff turnover issues.
Management, safety, and trust issues: Several reviewers raise serious concerns about administration and leadership. Themes include lack of empathy from administrators, perceived discrimination, abrupt staffing decisions or firings, and an unresponsive director. There are concrete operational complaints — mold in water dispensers, absent paper towels for weeks, and theft of personal items (specific items cited include a hairdryer, shampoo, cash, and candy) — that undermine trust. Security is praised by some, but theft allegations by others are a major red flag. Multiple reviewers cite slow call-bell response times, phone inaccessibility, and a general feeling that the facility is short-staffed. One reviewer references a CMS investigation, which prospective residents and families should consider investigating further.
Dining and daily life: Dining experiences are mixed. Several reviewers rave about the food, menu variety, and good cafeteria offerings, while others note poor meal quality, slow cafeteria staff, and instances where dietary instructions were not followed. COVID-era restrictions impacted some visitors’ ability to dine with residents, reducing family engagement in certain periods. Activities programming is generally a strong point, with regular events and social opportunities noted as a benefit for many residents.
Who might this facility suit? Saint Mary's at Asbury Ridge appears to be a very attractive option physically and can provide excellent short-term rehab outcomes and compassionate care in many cases. It may be particularly appropriate for people prioritizing location, amenities, a faith-based environment, and strong therapy programs. However, families should be cautious and do due diligence: ask detailed questions about staffing levels (especially evenings), call-bell response times, infection-control practices, theft-prevention and security measures, recent inspection/CMS reports, administrative responsiveness, and continuity of care. Probe about how the facility handles care transitions, therapy length and discontinuation policies, diet adherence, and how they respond to complaints.
Bottom line: The dominant pattern across reviews is a facility with excellent physical attributes, strong therapy capabilities, and many caring staff members, but with persistent operational and leadership issues that materially affect safety and care consistency for some residents. Prospective residents should balance the strong amenities and rehab record against reports of understaffing, management problems, theft allegations, clinical safety concerns, and inconsistent service delivery. A thorough in-person tour, conversations with current residents and families, and review of the latest inspection/CMS findings are advisable before making a decision.
