Rocking Years Assisted Living Home

Pros

• Nikki and her staff are always so professional and welcoming.
• Her place smells great and is always very clean.
• Rocking Years Two is ran by competent staff who care about the people who live there.
• The owner is wonderful and really tries to communicate with family members.
• They are a critical resource in our community and their value cannot be underscored enough.
• The administrator was so helpful with helping me get my mother placed in an assisted living home; she is kind, caring, and compassionate.
• All staff are amazing to work with; the house is always clean and smells good, and the meals are all home-cooked.
• Such a beautiful place; so clean and excellent service; they are very professional and welcoming; most definitely a five star!

Cons

• The owner Nikki is described as a liar and a cheat, running the home like a bar and intimidating the clients and their families.
• The reviewer claims they were charged $8,750 for one month of care for a disabled veteran, despite being told a lower amount.
• The reviewer alleges neglect and deplorable treatment of residents by Nikki and her staff.
• The beds are reported to have severe wear and holes in the mattresses.
• The staff allegedly stopped giving medications and water, used supplies up, fed unbalanced meals, and left residents in wet/unclean bedding for hours while distracted by their cell phones.
• A retaliatory notice allegedly restricted visitors, baring small children and requiring appointments to enter.
• Medications were reportedly not locked up and could be accessed by anyone; used needles were placed back into locked cabinets.
• There was no nurse on staff, so families had to administer medications themselves.
• Residents were not cleaned after soiling and were left in their urine/feces for hours, with new injuries and no notices given to the family.
• The rugs in the home were described as hazards that contributed to falls.

Review

The collection of reflections on Rocking Years (and Rocking Years Two) paints a remarkably wide spectrum of experiences. On one end, several reviewers describe a facility that feels professional, welcoming, and meticulously cared for. They emphasize a calm, clean, home-like environment where staff are courteous, knowledgeable, and responsive to families' questions. In these accounts, Nikki and the team are praised for their politeness, the way they communicate with relatives, and the impression that residents are treated like family. The building is repeatedly described as clean, with pleasant smells and a well-kept atmosphere that gives visitors confidence in the care being provided. Meals are highlighted as homemade, nourishing, and well-presented, and the staff are often lauded for being helpful, easy to work with, and genuinely invested in residents' welfare. Several reviews note that the staff go the extra mile - anticipating questions, keeping residents comfortable, and maintaining a welcoming environment for visitors and loved ones alike.

Multiple reviews also emphasize strong administrative support and family-centered communication. One reviewer commends an administrator for assisting with placing a parent into an assisted living setting and describes the team as kind, caring, and compassionate. Others underline how the owner and the caregiving staff consistently project professionalism, making families feel seen, heard, and involved in the care process. The sentiment is that Rocking Years operates with integrity and a clear devotion to the people who live there, positioning the facility as an important resource within the community. In these favorable depictions, the culture of care appears collaborative, with staff members who are patient, respectful, and able to address concerns promptly and empathetically.

Among the positive comments, several reviewers share personal anecdotes that reinforce their trust in the facility. One reviewer notes that their grandparent genuinely loved being there, a testament to the home-like atmosphere and the quality of interpersonal care. Another describes the home as among the best assisted-living options they have encountered, pointing to the spotless condition of the living spaces, the consistent cleanliness, and the consistency of good meals and attentive staff. The recurring theme is that, when the experience is good, it is characterized by clear communication, cleanliness, a sense of safety and comfort, and a staff that treats residents with dignity and warmth.

Yet, not all experiences align with these glowing portrayals. A separate, highly critical review presents a stark contrast, describing a deeply troubling pattern of neglect and mismanagement. The reviewer assigns one star and accuses Nikki of dishonesty, manipulation, and abusive behavior toward both residents and their families. Specific allegations include a lack of nursing staff, courses of action that treated the home like a bar rather than a care facility, and a range of safety and ethical concerns - from untrained medication administration to the improper handling of medications and needles. The reviewer claims the facility charged exorbitant rates - well above what had been promised - and delivered outdated information about regulatory standards. They recount an absence at intake, poor documentation, and a claim of retaliation against the family when questions were raised. More alarming notes include worn or unsafe beds, episodes of residents not being properly assisted with medications or basic needs, and the presence of hazards that could lead to falls or injuries. The narrative also includes accusations of retaliation, restricted visitation, and unprofessional conduct that would be deeply concerning to any family seeking safe, respectful elder care.

This critical account goes on to describe direct, ongoing issues: med administration not being adequately supervised due to the absence of a nurse, access to medications by unauthorized individuals, and days when residents sit in soiled bedding or go without essential care. The reviewer asserts that the facility used supplies inefficiently or unnecessarily, and that there were serious financial and ethical missteps around costs and care expectations. They describe a pattern of alleged misrepresentation about what was included in the care plan, the presence of injuries or ongoing health problems that were not properly addressed, and a sense that the care environment prioritized cost concerns over resident well-being. The language is emphatic and troubling, signaling a fundamental breach of trust for this family.

In the wake of such intense criticism, there remains a thread of additional positive sentiment that surfaces at the end of the collection. One brief, resurgent note describes the place as beautiful, clean, and capable of delivering excellent service - words that echo the earlier affirmations of a well-run, professional setting. This closing perspective underscores the idea that the experience at Rocking Years can be highly positive for some families, especially when communication, cleanliness, and compassionate caregiving align with expectations. It also highlights how varied personal experiences can be in the same facility, shaped by interaction with staff, the specifics of one's loved one's needs, and the particular circumstances surrounding intake and ongoing care.

Taken together, the reviews present a compelling dual narrative: a number of visitors celebrate Rocking Years as a model of professionalism, cleanliness, and family-centered care, where residents feel known, safe, and well-supported by attentive staff and a collaborative administrator. At the same time, a separate, highly critical account raises serious concerns about staffing, safety practices, transparency around costs, and overall quality of care, portraying a scenario where residents' basic needs and dignity may be at risk if safeguards and accountability are not upheld. For families evaluating care options, these mixed reports underscore the importance of visiting in person, asking pointed questions about staffing, nurse availability, medication handling, and daily routines, and seeking out up-to-date references from current residents and their families. They also illustrate how crucial ongoing oversight, transparent communication, and a consistently clean, safe environment are to building trust in any elder-care setting.

This part of Fairbanks, Alaska offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living situation. There are multiple places of worship within close proximity, catering to different faiths. Additionally, there are several restaurants and cafes nearby, providing options for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. The area also boasts easy access to transportation services, including cab companies and the train depot station. For medical needs, there are several physicians' offices and pharmacies in the vicinity, as well as the reputable Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Parks are also within reach for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Overall, this part of Fairbanks presents a well-rounded community with essential resources for seniors seeking a supportive and accessible neighborhood to call home.

Places of Worship

• Jewish Congregation-Fairbanks (0.2 miles)
• Greater New Hope Church Of God (1.3 miles)
• University Park Bible Church (1.5 miles)
• St Matthew's Episcopal Church (1.6 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1.7 miles)
• Church Of The Redeemer (1.7 miles)
• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• King Cab Alaska Cab (0.6 miles)
• Fairbanks Train Depot Station (1.1 miles)
• Tanana Valley Railroad Museum Fairbanks (1.7 miles)
• Moose Cab (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• The Cookie Jar Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• HooDoo Brewing Co. (1 miles)
• This & That Grill (1.2 miles)
• Korean Recipes (1.6 miles)
• Alaska Salmon Bake (1.7 miles)
• The Bakery Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• Gallo's Mexican Restaurant (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Arctic Daily Grind (1.1 miles)
• Sunrise Bagel & Espresso (1.3 miles)
• The Crepery (1.9 miles)
• Cafe de Stir It Up (2.1 miles)
• Mojo To Go (2.2 miles)
• Sunrise Bagel & Espresso (2.2 miles)
• Fairbanks Espresso (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Mountain View Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• Mountain View Eye Center (1.2 miles)
• Fairbanks Urology (1.2 miles)
• Aurora Plastic & Hand Surgery (1.2 miles)
• Laser Vein Center of Fairbanks (1.8 miles)
• Fairbanks Orthopaedic Center (1.8 miles)
• Anp Family Care (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Kiwanis Park (1.5 miles)
• Weeks Field Community Park (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Medical Center Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Professional Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Alaska Family Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• David C Gianni (1.9 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Out Patient (2.3 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Satellite Radiology / Lab (2.3 miles)
• FMH Outpatient & Heart Center (2.3 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Cancer Center (2.3 miles)
• Banner Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Maternity Ward (2.3 miles)