134 Lamar Avenue, Pueblo, CO 81004
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Shalom Home Care
Pros
Cons
The place is awful.- There is only one staff member per shift to care for twenty mentally ill adults.
- Residents are paired incorrectly in rooms, creating constant turmoil.
- The residents are bored to death because nothing is done with them.
- For the price, meals consist of pork chops and bologna sandwiches every night, which is criminal.
- Marijuana is allowed on the premises.
- Residents fight over cigarettes, and one man threatens women to obtain cigarettes.
- The facility needs a major overhaul.
Review
This community is best suited for no one who needs reliable, safe assisted living, and only for families who are prepared to act as the primary overseers of daily care. The current operating reality shows systemic staffing gaps and safety risks that make standard senior care impractical for most residents. If a decision must be made due to extreme budget pressure, the only conceivable fit would be a resident with minimal day-to-day needs and a family willing to intervene constantly; even then, the risks remain prohibitive.
Those considering alternatives should look for facilities with adequate staffing, clear supervision, and structured routines that prioritize resident safety and dignity. Any community that houses individuals with behavioral health challenges requires robust staffing, secure room assignments, and proactive behavior management, none of which are clearly evident here. Families prioritizing meaningful activities, consistent meals, and a stable living environment will want to explore other options before committing. In short, there are many better-aligned choices for seniors or adults with complex needs.
The limited pros in this case do not materially offset the dominant drawbacks. Affordability stands out as the lone apparent advantage, with relatively low monthly costs and Medicaid involvement. However, price does not compensate for care gaps, safety concerns, and the overall quality of life that residents experience. When risk, isolation, and unsupervised living are the baseline, a discount on rent quickly loses its appeal. The financial saving becomes a burden rather than a relief once safety and well-being are at stake.
The principal cons are concrete and alarming. Reports describe a single staff member on shift for twenty residents, creating an environment where needs go unmet and supervision is inadequate. Room placement appears inconsistent, with residents sharing cramped spaces and mismatches that aggravate tension. Behavioral issues among residents include threats and conflict, and the facility permits marijuana on the premises, which compounds safety and management challenges. Meals are described as minimal and unappealing, contributing to dissatisfaction and potential health concerns. With such conditions, boredom and disengagement become predictable, eroding quality of life and dignity.
From a practical decision standpoint, the recommended move is to pursue alternatives with stronger staffing ratios, professional oversight, and more engaging programming. Prospective families should demand a transparent tour, ask for current staffing schedules, request a detailed care plan for residents with behavioral health needs, and speak with other residents or families about daily life. Verify licensing status, incident history, and whether there is a reliable emergency response system. If remaining under consideration, insist on clear expectations, trial periods, and a plan for rapidly addressing any safety or quality-of-life concerns.
The bottom line is clear: this community does not meet typical senior-care standards for safety, engagement, and reliable supervision. It is not suitable for most elders or adults needing ongoing care, particularly those with behavioral health challenges. Alternatives should be the default path for families weighing long-term placement, with this option reserved only for situations so constrained that no other affordable choice exists and with stringent, explicit safeguards in place from day one. A careful, evidence-driven comparison of nearby facilities will almost certainly reveal more appropriate environments that better protect residents’ well-being and dignity.
12 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Board and Care Home
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Pueblo Memorial (7 miles away)
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
Competitive pricing relative to local averages.
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