River Ridge Long Term Care

Pros

• Patrice is described as a wonderful human being.
• The administrative staff was kind and helpful in all areas.
• Wesley, a floor nurse, was exceptional in his knowledge and devotion to patients.
• Keisha and Sommer, CNAs, were efficient and caring in their attention.
• The staff went above and beyond in taking care of residents.
• The caring staff are genuine, loving, and sincere.
• The staff makes residents feel welcomed, comfortable, and secure.

Cons

• The facility is described as a one-star CMS facility with poor health inspections and quality measures.
• The administrator is accused of lying about Medicaid and of telling the ombudsman that the attorney's office did not exist.
• The administrator repeatedly threatened to discharge the patient while Medicaid was pending and pressed families to pick her up.
• Care plan meetings were inconsistent, with limited attendance and minimal information about the patient's condition.
• Staff changed rooms and medications without notifying the family.
• A nurse claimed the patient was unresponsive when she was actually awake, and chart notes did not reflect that claim.
• The facility is described as filthy, with roaches and bugs, dirty gloves in the hallways, and rooms in disrepair.
• Call lights went unanswered for hours, and CNAs were inattentive or slow to respond.
• There were reports of unsafe conditions, such as unsecured doors, dried blood on the toilet, lost clothing, and patients left in feces.
• Administrative replies to reviews were generic and did not indicate real change.
• Families were not notified of serious medical changes and experienced poor overall communication.

Review

There is a troubling pattern that runs through a collection of family narratives about a Wetumpka facility and the broader organization it represents. Taken together, these accounts paint a picture of consistent concerns about patient care, administrative competence, and responsiveness. Several families describe the facility as one star in major rating systems, with a health inspection score to match, and they say the experience of navigating care, billing, and communications feels overwhelming, disorganized, and sometimes distressing for loved ones who cannot advocate for themselves.

A recurring thread centers on Medicaid, billing, and administrative missteps. In one lengthy, first-person account, a family explains that their mother began private pay but eventually needed Medicaid. The process was hindered by incorrect information from the business office, leading to an initial denial and a drawn-out fight with an attorney to obtain approval. The administrator allegedly accused the family of lying about the attorney's existence, describing the attorney's office as if it were nonexistent despite easy verification. The staff's response included forwarding documentation to the ombudsman that questioned the family's honesty. Throughout this period, the family says the administrator repeatedly called to threaten discharge while Medicaid was still pending, and the family felt forced to repeatedly provide the same information because records were not kept consistently. The impression left is that the facility's administrative team had difficulty maintaining clear, accurate records and communicating effectively about financial and regulatory matters.

The quality of day-to-day care and the consistency of the care team also emerge as pervasive concerns. Several reviewers describe care plans that fail to involve the full care team, with only a few people present at meetings and with limited updates about the resident's condition - an issue that is particularly troubling when a resident has Alzheimer's and cannot speak for themselves. Families indicate that care plan meetings are inconsistent in frequency and participation, leading to confusion about a resident's status and needs. In one poignant example, a nurse reportedly called with alarming news that a resident had become unresponsive, only for family members to learn later that the resident was alert and dining normally. The discrepancy between what was communicated and what was recorded in the chart contributes to a sense that important information is not being accurately tracked or promptly shared. In these narratives, the absence of timely updates, coupled with notes that seem incomplete or missing, leaves families feeling out of the loop and anxious about the level of supervision their loved ones are receiving.

Beyond communications, there are specific episodes that families recount as emblematic of broader systemic problems. Several reviews describe long wait times for call bells, with staff arriving only after extended delays, and occasionally with a sense of detachment or neglect. In one instance, a resident's room was reportedly altered without the family being notified, and medications were changed without consent or notification, undermining trust and causing unnecessary worry. A separate account details unsanitary conditions - rooms perceived as dirty, windowsills infested with bugs, chipped or broken bathroom fixtures, and even roaches being seen in the environment. Families describe raw, direct observations of neglect: used gloves left in hallways, patients left waiting for care or cleaned up only after extended periods, and a pattern of unaddressed issues that makes daily life for residents feel unstable and unsafe. The combination of cleanliness problems, safety concerns (such as unsecured doors), and inconsistent bedside care (including delays in showers or assistance when needed) adds up to an environment that many families would find unacceptable.

Interwoven with the negative experiences are pockets of praise for particular staff members who stood out for their compassion, responsiveness, and dedication. Several reviews celebrate individuals who went above and beyond to care for residents, even within a flawed system. In one family's account, a nurse named Wesley, along with CNAs Keisha and Sommer, are singled out for their attentiveness and devotion, especially during end-of-life moments when their efforts helped keep a loved one comfortable. In another narrative, a different family member offers heartfelt thanks to Christa and Sommer for their genuine, loving care, describing how their presence made their mother feel welcomed, secure, and better supported during therapy and daily routines. These positive comments suggest that when good staff are engaged and empowered, they can make a meaningful difference in a challenging environment. They also highlight the inconsistency across the same facility: some residents receive attentive, compassionate care, while others experience neglect or miscommunication.

There are also glimpses of mixed experiences that complicate the overall picture. One reviewer who had a relative in the facility for a brief rehab stay notes that while some of the care was not up to expectations, a few staff members performed well, and there was a sense of decency in their efforts. Another account recalls positive interactions at a different location within the same organization, where family members felt satisfied with the overall treatment and staff demeanor, particularly during difficult times. Yet even in those more favorable pieces, there is an undercurrent of caution: the reviewer acknowledges that this positive sentiment does not erase the concerns raised by others about Medcaid navigation, administrative responsiveness, or basic cleanliness.

In at least one instance, families recount attempts to engage management directly, seeking to address problems with a higher level of authority. A reviewer mentions reaching NHS management to discuss issues and explain circumstances, only to report that no follow-up was made, despite assurances that someone would contact them. This pattern - promises of a callback that never materializes - reinforces the impression that administrative accountability is inconsistent and that families feel unheard or dismissed when problems arise. The overall tone is one of frustration with a system that seems able to acknowledge problems in some cases yet fails to implement lasting improvements in others.

Even with the negative experiences dominating many of the stories, there is a sense that the facility can be a place of care and warmth when certain staff members are involved and when the team is functioning well. The statements about a Christmas party that residents and families enjoyed reflect that positive, communal side of long-term care - moments of celebration, togetherness, and a sense of normalcy that residents deserve. And in some reviews, practical positives such as clean facilities and reliable medication management are acknowledged, even if these are outweighed by other concerns. These contrasts underscore the complexity of running a caregiving operation: the environment is capable of both care and neglect, depending largely on staffing, systems, and leadership at any given time.

Taken as a whole, the stories depict a facility and an organization grappling with serious, persistent challenges in administration, communication, and patient care. The general sentiment among the families who shared these experiences is a warning about relying on the facility without careful, ongoing oversight and advocacy from families or guardians. The most consistent advice across voices is clear: if you value a loved one's safety, dignity, and well-being, you should be cautious, demand robust documentation and transparent communication, and consider exploring options or additional safeguards when placing someone in this environment. The mixture of harsh criticisms about neglect, mismanagement, and safety risks with occasional testimonials of compassionate care paints a nuanced, often troubling landscape that would prompt many families to proceed with extreme diligence, or to seek alternatives where possible.

This area of Wetumpka, Alabama, offers convenient access to a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable living environment. With several restaurants nearby such as Waffle House, Taco Bell, and McDonald's, residents can easily find dining options to suit their preferences. Additionally, there are pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Adams Drugs in close proximity for easy access to medication and health supplies. For medical care, there are physicians' offices like Wetumpka Pediatrics and Elmore Community Health Clinic nearby, as well as Elmore Community Hospital for more serious healthcare needs. The area also offers various places of worship for spiritual support, including Mulder Church and Mount Zion Baptist Church. Overall, this part of Wetumpka provides a range of essential services and facilities that can contribute to a comfortable and convenient senior living experience.

Restaurants

• Waffle House (0.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• Burger King (1.8 miles)
• Jack's (2.5 miles)
• Waffle House (8.5 miles)
• Plantation House & Gardens (10.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.6 miles)
• Adams Drugs - Wetumpka (1.7 miles)
• Lake Pharmacy (9.3 miles)
• Spring View Drugs (9.9 miles)
• Walgreens (9.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (10 miles)

Physicians

• Institute For Total Eye Care, PC (1.2 miles)
• Wetumpka Pediatrics (1.2 miles)
• Elmore Community Health Clinic (1.6 miles)
• Thedoctors Office (3 miles)
• Physical Express (9.6 miles)
• Physical Express (9.8 miles)
• Montgomery Cancer Center (10.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Elmore Community Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Baptist Health Breast Health Center (11.4 miles)
• Baptist Hospital (11.4 miles)
• Baptist Health (11.4 miles)
• Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System West Campus (11.5 miles)
• Baptist Medical Center East (11.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mulder Church (4.9 miles)
• Redland Baptist Church (6 miles)
• Mount Zion Baptist Church (10.5 miles)
• Life Choices Ministries (11 miles)
• Dalraida United Methodist Church (11.1 miles)
• Morningview Baptist Church (11.2 miles)
• Eastern Hills Baptist Church (11.6 miles)

Parks

• Sheridan Heights (9.6 miles)
• Hyde Park (10 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (12 miles)

Cafes

• Cornerstone Coffee Company (12 miles)
• Starbucks (12.1 miles)