Overall sentiment in the reviews for Zahav of Berwyn is mixed, with a clear pattern of strong praise for individual caregivers and clinical staff counterbalanced by significant and recurring concerns about facility hygiene, management consistency, and operational reliability. Many reviewers explicitly commend nurses, certain CNAs and aides, therapy services, and hands-on leadership for providing compassionate, competent medical care. Specific positive notes include frequent checks by staff, therapy assessments, hot meals in some instances, staff who prioritize patient transfers and appointments, and a social services team that has successfully resolved complaints for some families. Several reviewers described a family-like atmosphere and would recommend the facility, and renovation work is underway in parts of the building.
However, the negative reports are numerous and serious. Multiple reviewers describe unhygienic conditions — pervasive urine and feces odors, soiled wheelchairs, dirty sheets, filthy furniture (headboards/dressers), visible pests (roaches), and mold in kitchen appliances and refrigerators. These environmental concerns are not isolated; they are mentioned repeatedly and are associated with other failures such as bare-hand food handling, dirty food trays, meal mix-ups, and poor food quality leading to weight loss for some residents. Several reviews describe bedding and clothing not being changed, and grooming or personal care being inadequate.
Clinical and safety concerns appear in many summaries as well. While nurses are often praised, there are repeated reports of delayed nurse responses, long call-bell wait times (about 30 minutes), medication coordination problems (including renal meds not given with meals as required), and troubling wound-care issues (old bandages left in place, inadequate treatment). Some accounts suggest untrained aides operating hoists and unsafe physical infrastructure such as broken or unsafe bed rails. Reports of residents being left unattended in hallways, prevented from getting out of bed leading to immobility, and fights among residents with slow facility response highlight safety and supervision gaps.
Staffing and management are recurring mixed themes. Many reviewers acknowledge staff are dedicated and doing their best despite being short-handed and overworked, while others point to poor management, rude or unprofessional behavior (including yelling or hanging up calls), social workers acting inappropriately, and inconsistent leadership. Positive contrasts exist where specific leaders (including a named director of nursing and social service staff) addressed issues effectively and improved care for families; simultaneously, other families reported unresolved complaints, delays in administrative tasks (e.g., signing death certificates, cremation delays), and perceived neglect.
Facility amenities and daily life show variation: some families note hot meals, delivered food, therapy sessions, engaging activities, secure entry, and convenient visitation. Others describe the building as institutional and bland, with cramped dining/recreation spaces and limited programming. Interrupted services (no hot water for days, no TV for days) and occasional theft reports add to the operational concerns.
In summary, Zahav of Berwyn appears to provide pockets of strong clinical and compassionate care delivered by committed nursing staff and certain aides, with some administrative staff and leadership that can and do resolve issues. Nevertheless, systemic problems—especially related to hygiene, housekeeping, food safety, staffing levels, wound and medication management, safety infrastructure, and inconsistent management/communication—are frequently reported and can substantially impact resident wellbeing. Prospective residents and families should weigh the evident strengths in direct care and therapy against recurring environmental, safety, and operational deficiencies. If considering Zahav of Berwyn, visitors should inspect cleanliness, ask about infection control and pest management, clarify staffing ratios and response times, review recent renovation progress, and obtain specifics about medication administration and wound-care protocols. Families currently using the facility may want to document concerns, escalate them in writing, and follow up with social services or executive leadership when immediate risks (hygiene, wound care, unsafe rails, or missing medications) are observed.







