Countryside Retirement Ctr

Pros

• The staff are super friendly, caring, and knowledgeable about residents' needs.
• Courtney and Mark genuinely care about their facility.
• The facility is wonderful with great staff.
• The staff go above and beyond for their residents.
• The staff are courteous, helpful, and well trained.
• The place is clean, beautiful, and well maintained.
• There are many activities for residents, and security is excellent.
• Residents are treated like family and are well taken care of.

Cons

• The staff did not listen to the family's request to avoid benzodiazepines, resulting in heavy sedation for the mother.
• The resident became bedridden and lost significant weight due to the medications.
• The facility decided it could not care for her because she was too aggressive.
• Belongings, including sweaters, an engagement ring, and Christmas presents, were stolen, and the family was not consistently notified about falls.
• Care deteriorated after the initial months, with short-staffed aides unable to provide adequate attention to residents.
• Basic supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and water cups were missing, leaving residents unable to maintain basic hygiene.

Review

In the Northwest Arkansas area, there are several assisted living and memory care options that consistently draw praise for cleanliness, trustworthiness, and a strong sense of community. Across many first-hand impressions, these facilities are described as places where residents feel cared for, where staff members know how to respond to a range of needs, and where families find reassurance in the daily routines and the overall environment. The overarching tone is that of a supportive, home-like setting, with many reviewers underscoring that their loved ones receive attentive, respectful treatment. Cleanliness, secure grounds, and well-kept common areas are repeatedly highlighted as foundational strengths, creating an atmosphere that families feel confident about.

Several testimonials highlight specific staff members and the positive impact they have. One reviewer calls it the "best assisted living facility" because the staff "care so much" and have been observed going above and beyond for residents. Others point to individual caregivers who stand out for their warmth and expertise, noting that Courtney and Mark in particular truly care about the facility and its residents. There is a clear sense that, when the staff are well-trained, compassionate, and present in sufficient numbers, residents are happier, more engaged, and better supported across daily activities, meals, and companionship. In these accounts, the facility becomes not just a place to live, but a community where staff genuinely invest in people's well-being.

Yet with such strong praise, there are equally candid accounts that remind readers how important thoughtful policy and diligent oversight are. One review describes a troubling experience with medication management: a family member asked not to be given Xanax or other benzodiazepines, only to discover later that multiple doses were administered throughout the day. The resident became bedridden and underweight, and the family felt the care shifted away from their loved one's needs. The reviewer ultimately reports that she was moved to a different facility in Springdale where she found the care she needed and could thrive again. This account underscores the critical role of family input, vigilant communication, and careful records in ensuring that medication decisions align with a resident's best interests.

Amid the positive testimonials, theft and security concerns surface as a sobering counterpoint. In one instance, a first week at the memory care facility in Huntsville involved the theft of several personal items, including sweaters, a cardigan, and an engagement ring that had sentimental value, along with Christmas presents. The family notes that even with putting a name on everything, the losses occurred, and they describe the administrator as unavailable and unresponsive when they tried to discuss the situation. The explicit takeaway is not just about the losses, but about the need for ongoing communication and proactive oversight, with a strong recommendation that families visit often to monitor changes and safeguard personal belongings.

Another review adds a more scathing critique of the memory care experience, describing it as "unacceptable." The writer details a period when staffing was insufficient, meals declined to inedible quality, and basic essentials - like toilet paper, hand soap, tissues, and even water cups - were inconsistently available. After a year, their father had significant weight loss, ended up hospitalized for dehydration and a urinary tract infection, and was eventually diagnosed with a contagious stomach bacteria that the facility did not promptly identify. The reviewer blames a combination of under-staffing and poor clinical oversight, concluding with a strong admonition to avoid the facility. There is a strong sentiment here about the difference between supervisory integrity and day-to-day care, and the importance of reliable medical attention in memory care settings.

Despite these heavier experiences, the landscape is not all negative. A number of reviewers describe having found a place that feels like a blessing for their loved ones. They emphasize that their relatives - whether in an Alzheimer's or memory care unit or in a standard assisted living - are treated with warmth and respect, in well-maintained environments, with opportunities for meaningful activities, good security, and comfortable living spaces. One reviewer notes that their aunt in the Alzheimer's unit has "never been treated so well," praising the cleanliness, beauty, and thoughtful d?cor. Others repeatedly highlight the kindness and reliability of staff, asserting that they would "trust my loved one to live here and be well taken care of," and that the facility offers a wide range of activities and strong overall support. The repeated praise for decor, secure facilities, and comfortable apartments reinforces the sense that, when all pieces come together - staffing, leadership, and a resident-centered culture - the experience can be deeply positive.

Taken as a whole, the reviews paint a picture of Northwest Arkansas' assisted living options as diverse and capable of delivering both exceptional care and, at times, problematic gaps. The strongest consensus centers on the importance of clean, well-managed facilities with ample, compassionate staff; facilities where residents feel at home and families feel included in care decisions. At the same time, families are reminded of the fragility of care quality: clear communication with administrators, strict attention to medication management, robust staffing, proactive safety measures, and transparent handling of concerns when issues arise. For anyone considering care for a loved one in this region, the message is clear - visit often, ask pointed questions about staffing and policies, and look for signs of a well-coordinated care plan that balances medical needs with personal dignity and daily joy. When these elements align, many reviewers believe they have found a place that not only meets basic needs but also feels like family.

This part of Huntsville, Arkansas offers a quaint and peaceful environment perfect for senior living. The area boasts a variety of parks such as Withrow Springs State Park and Lake Leatherwood City Park, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. In addition, there are several places of worship available for spiritual nourishment and a sense of community. The presence of restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity ensures convenience and accessibility to essential services. Furthermore, nearby hospitals like Boston Mountain Rural Health offer medical care in case of emergencies. With reliable transportation options like U-Haul and physician clinics like Eureka Walk-In Clinic nearby, seniors can feel assured about their well-being in this neighborhood.

Parks

• Withrow Springs State Park (0 miles)
• Mitchusson Park (0.7 miles)
• Braden Park (20.8 miles)
• Lake Leatherwood City Park (21.1 miles)
• Lost Valley State Park (21.2 miles)
• Berryville Fountain Park (21.6 miles)
• Gulley Park (22 miles)

Places of Worship

• Huntsville Cong of Jehovah's Witnesses (0 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (0.2 miles)
• Huntsville Missionary Baptist Church (0.3 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (0.3 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.4 miles)
• First Assembly of God (0.5 miles)
• Church of Christ Parsonage (0.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Y Drive-In (0 miles)
• Subway (0.2 miles)
• JamDot Chill Spot Sport (0.3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.5 miles)
• Granny's Kitchen (0.6 miles)
• Madison Coffee House (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Economy Drug (0.3 miles)
• Harps Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Harps Food Stores (20.4 miles)
• Harps Food Stores (21.1 miles)
• Smith Drug & Company (21.2 miles)
• Walgreens (21.3 miles)
• Medical Park Pharmacy (21.3 miles)

Cafes

• Madison Coffee House & Gifts (0.3 miles)
• Sparky's Roadhouse Cafe (21.1 miles)
• The Berean Coffee House (21.2 miles)
• Daylight Donuts (21.5 miles)
• Ozark Cafe (21.6 miles)
• Oscar's Cafe (22 miles)

Hospitals

• Boston Mountain Rural Health (0.6 miles)
• St Johns - Mercy Hospital of Berryville (21.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (0.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.6 miles)
• McFarlan Taxidermy (5.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (6.2 miles)
• Arkansas Taxidermy & Hydrogra (12.7 miles)
• Planer Hill Trolly Stop (21.3 miles)

Physicians

• Eureka Walk-In Clinic (20.9 miles)
• Northwest Family Care Eastside (21.2 miles)
• Walk-in Clinic (21.2 miles)
• Eureka Family Medical Center (21.2 miles)
• The Family Doctor (21.5 miles)
• Ozark Lakes Family Dentistry (21.5 miles)
• Oral & Facial Surgery Center (22.1 miles)