Lakewood Retirement Community elicits strongly mixed but specific feedback across many reviewers. On the positive side, reviewers repeatedly praise the campus aesthetics, recent renovations, and broad amenity set. Many describe Lakewood as a beautiful, well-maintained, and state-of-the-art community with bright updated units, spacious common areas, walking trails, gardens, indoor pool, fitness center, library, lounges, cottages and apartment options. Dining is frequently highlighted: multiple venues (main dining room, bistro, private dining, snack shop), varied menus, and meals described as high quality and delicious. The community provides an extensive activity program — clubs, classes, shows, outings, celebrations, and faith-based services — that supports social engagement and contributes to a strong sense of home and community for many residents. Families often report improved mental and physical wellbeing for their parents after moving in, citing peace of mind from housekeeping, maintenance, delivered meals, and easy access to information through an app and monthly magazine.
Medical and operational strengths are also noted. Several reviews emphasize robust on-site medical support and therapy services, an available Life Plan/continuing care model, and competent clinical teams. Early COVID-era responsiveness — meal delivery, grocery assistance, and in-room programming — was praised by multiple families. Many reviewers single out specific staff and departments for exemplary service: friendly receptionists, helpful marketing and sales contacts, department heads who visit, and employees who go "above and beyond." These positive accounts frequently describe staff as warm, caring, and resident-focused, and multiple long-term residents state they feel well cared-for and would recommend Lakewood.
However, recurring and serious concerns appear across the reviews and temper the positive impressions. The most alarming themes involve transitions and care quality in higher-acuity settings: several reviewers allege poor nursing care, inadequate response to emergencies, delayed notifications to family, missed or unidentified infections, and cases where a resident fell and subsequently required hospitalization or rehab. In at least one account a safety device was not activated, and family members report being instructed to hire private nurses or told that assisted living admission would not occur as expected. These incidents fed perceptions that clinical decisions or admissions may be influenced by financial considerations, with accusations that nursing expenses were shifted to residents and that marketing/sales messages overpromised a continuum of care.
Communication and consistency are additional problem areas. Multiple reports describe conflicting information from staff, inconsistent procedures among departments, and a seemingly arbitrary admissions process (including short nurse pre-screenings and perceived preferential treatment by marketing). There are complaints about rude or aggressive aides, staff morale issues, some employees unable to read English well, and at least one reviewer alleging racially charged behavior by management. Several reviewers also raise concern about transparency: high upfront buy-ins, deposits, long move-in timelines, ongoing fee increases, and confusion about nonprofit status or faith-based claims. Some note shuttle or transportation reductions and other service limitations that affect daily life. These operational and administrative criticisms have led some families to file complaints with regulators and to move residents elsewhere following serious incidents.
Taken together, the reviews suggest a community with many real strengths — excellent facilities, abundant amenities, strong social programming, generally positive interactions with many staff members, and a model intended to provide continuity of care — but also with notable and recurring weaknesses around clinical consistency, communication, admissions transparency, and cost/contract clarity. For prospective residents and families the pattern supports two primary recommendations: 1) verify the specific contractual promises regarding the continuum of care, staffing levels, emergency response protocols, and pricing details in writing before committing; and 2) conduct thorough, repeated observations (talk with current residents, observe staff-resident interactions across shifts, and ask detailed questions about how assisted living and skilled nursing admissions and billing have been handled recently).
In conclusion, Lakewood appears to deliver a high-quality lifestyle and many residents and families express strong satisfaction and a sense of community. At the same time, the frequency and severity of clinical and administrative complaints indicate inconsistent performance in higher-acuity care areas and in organizational communication. Prospective residents should weigh the appealing environment and services against documented concerns, do in-person due diligence, and insist on clear, written terms governing care levels, emergency procedures, and financial obligations.
