1715 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL 34470
To contact a resident: (352) 629-8990
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Change of Pace Retirement Center
Pros
Cindy has always bent over backwards to help me.- The staff was great. They were friendly and extremely nice.
- Their rooms were of good size.
- They were really clean and they didn't smell.
- Their kitchens were very clean as well and they were set up for easy access for their residents.
- What I like best about this community is its rooms and its staff.
- The family that owns this business are good Christian people and always make the residents feel at home.
- Family owned by a strong Christian family who loves the residents unconditionally.
- Everything about the place was excellent.
Cons
Bed bugs were reported four times at Change of Pace.- The rooms were awful.
- Residents were not allowed to report bedbugs.
- Residents' possessions were systematically taken away, including the TV, DVD player, and CD player.
- The medications were not administered for months.
- The menu posted to receive government grants did not match the food served, which consisted mostly of fish sticks and frozen lasagna.
- Change of Pace was evicting residents with severe disabilities.
- The reviewer warns readers not to place their loved ones in this facility.
Review
Change of Pace Retirement Center in Ocala is best suited for families that want a small, family-run environment with a faith-centered culture where residents are treated with warmth and a true sense of home. The Christian ownership and hands-on approach from leadership come through in daily interactions, and residents often speak of staff who are genuinely caring and accessible. That intimate, community-focused model can deliver meaningful comfort for seniors who prioritize personal attention over corporate polish. It is important to note, however, that this setup appears to struggle with consistent medical oversight, pest control, and clear, enforceable policies. For families whose priority is ironclad medical management and transparent operations, alternatives should be considered.
On the plus side, reviewers repeatedly highlight the human side of Change of Pace: staff who explain services, respond with patience, and show a willingness to make residents feel “at home.” Rooms and common areas are described as clean and adequately sized, with kitchens that are accessible and well-kept. The strength of a family-owned operation translates into a welcoming atmosphere that can ease transitions for residents and their families. When the staff is aligned with residents’ needs, the experience can be markedly reassuring, especially for seniors who thrive on regular, personal contact and a sense of community.
Yet the concerns carry substantial weight. The most persistent red flag is the reported bed bug issues, appearing multiple times in resident accounts. Allegations include a troubling pattern of residents being discouraged from reporting problems, which raises serious safety and dignity questions. Equally troubling are stories of belongings being removed, televisions and other items attributed to bedbug containment, undermining residents’ autonomy and sense of security. Add to that reports of medications not being administered consistently and a mismatch between the government-reported menu and the food actually served (characterized by fish sticks and frozen lasagna), and the facility surfaces as a place where proper medical and nutritional oversight may be unreliable. Evictions of residents with significant disabilities further complicate the picture, suggesting instability and disruption at moments when stability matters most.
In weighing the pros against the cons, the warmth and home-like feel do offer meaningful value, but they do not fully offset the systemic risks cited. For residents with modest medical needs or those who can rely on careful family oversight, the positive relationships and clean, comfortable spaces can make a meaningful difference in daily life. However, the safety and dignity implications tied to bed bugs, restricted reporting, inconsistent medication management, and eviction pressure are substantial. The overall calculus favors a cautious approach: the positive, relational aspects are real, but they are fragile if pest control, transparency, and medical supervision remain inconsistent.
Families should seriously consider alternatives if medical reliability and transparent governance are non-negotiable. Anyone with a resident who depends on timely medication administration or who has complex health needs should look for facilities with documented med-pass protocols, robust nurse staffing, and clear accountability. Those who cannot tolerate a culture in which pest issues are silenced, belongings are seized, or eviction can occur without prompt remediation should steer toward options with stronger resident advocacy and formal complaint processes. For families drawn to a warm, faith-based, family-owned setting, a measured trial combined with explicit expectations might work, but the risks demand rigorous scrutiny.
Before deciding, conduct a thorough, practical check: visit in person, talk to current residents and their families, and demand candid answers about pest control history and current procedures. Ask for written medication administration protocols, staffing ratios, and how daily needs are documented and acted upon. Seek clarity on how belongings are safeguarded and what the escalation process looks like for complaints. Review local licensing and inspection reports with a critical eye. Change of Pace Retirement Center presents a clear trade-off: genuine warmth and home-like comfort on one side, significant operational red flags on the other. For many families, this will translate into choosing alternatives that prioritize medical reliability and transparent governance, even if that means sacrificing some of the intimate, faith-driven feel that residents and families value here.
28 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Activities on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Devotional services off-site
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
VA Benefits Consultation
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
English
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