The reviews for Meadowbrook Manor - LaGrange present a strongly mixed picture with polarized experiences. Many reviewers praise the physical plant—especially the newer wing—and highlight cleanliness, attractive common areas, private rooms with showers, and a pleasant courtyard and entrance. Rehabilitation services (PT/OT/Speech) are repeatedly singled out for excellence; numerous families attribute measurable recovery and good therapy outcomes to the therapy team. Admissions, social work, and some nurses and aides receive frequent praise for being helpful, communicative, and caring. Activities programs, including bingo and walks, are considered positive by many residents and families. In short, when staffing and specific teams are engaged and present, reviewers report an above-average rehab and therapeutic environment that is clean, organized, and supportive.
Counterbalancing the positive reports are persistent and serious complaints about staffing, basic nursing care, and dining. A large portion of reviewers report chronic understaffing—particularly among CNAs and during weekends—which they say causes long delays in call light responses (several reviews mention waits exceeding an hour), delayed medications, infrequent showers, and long waits for bathroom assistance or water. Multiple reviewers describe rude or inattentive CNAs, and some report CNAs being overtaxed with high patient loads (one review cites up to 18 patients per aide). These staffing problems appear to be the root cause of many other issues described in the reviews: inconsistent nursing attention, missed diaper changes, reports of catheter care neglect, weight loss, dehydration, and in a few cases serious medical declines (pneumonia, hospitalization, and death). A health department investigation is mentioned in the reviews, and at least one reviewer reported being told by an ambulance driver about prior bad reviews—details that prospective families should note and verify.
Dining is another frequent area of complaint: numerous reviews report cold, bland, or hospital-style meals, inconsistent menu choices, and delayed or insufficiently heated dishes. Some families said they had to bring or reheat food for their loved ones. However, there are also reviewers who found meals good or appropriate for dietary needs—again demonstrating inconsistency in service. Similarly, communication and management impressions vary. Several reviews commend responsive administrators, proactive problem-solving, and clear communication from social work and admissions staff. Conversely, other reviews portray management as defensive or money-driven and unresponsive to concerns. This variability suggests that experiences may depend significantly on which staff members are on duty, the building/wing a resident is in (new vs. older sections), and the time frame of stay (some reviewers said care looked good in the first week but declined thereafter).
Patterns that stand out: (1) weekday vs. weekend disparity — many reviewers explicitly say weekday staffing and care are good while weekends are understaffed and unresponsive; (2) new building vs. older areas — the newer facility and rooms receive positive comments while older parts are described as deteriorating or dreary; (3) highly praised therapy/activities vs. criticized hands-on personal care — therapy and activities tend to be reliably good, while basic assistance (CNAs, bathing, call response) is inconsistent. There are also isolated but serious allegations that should not be ignored: neglect of catheter care, prolonged unmet call lights, reports of infections and deaths, and a mention of a health department probe. Additionally, a few reviewers report missing clothing and an employee asking for money, which raises concerns about accountability and oversight.
For prospective residents and families: the facility shows clear strengths in cleanliness, physical plant (especially the new wing), and rehabilitation services, and some teams (nurses, admissions, social work, therapy) provide excellent, attentive care. However, the recurring themes of understaffing, inconsistent CNA care, slow call responses, and unreliable meal service are significant and common. Visitors should confirm which wing their loved one would be in, ask about staffing ratios and weekend coverage, inquire about recent health department findings, observe mealtime service, and consider visiting during both weekday and weekend shifts to gauge consistency. Families who are able to be present or supplement care sometimes report better outcomes, but reliance on family presence should not be necessary for basic, timely care. Overall, Meadowbrook Manor has strengths that may meet the needs of many seeking rehab and a clean environment, but the serious and recurring concerns about basic caregiving and responsiveness merit careful on-site evaluation and follow-up with management before committing.
