Laverna Terrace in Avilla, IN

Pros

• LaVerna Terrace has policies and procedures in place to meet HUD requirements.
• National Church Residences ensures policies and procedures are fair and equal for all residents.
• Residents are excited about the new manager helping to clean up the place and ensure proper paperwork meets HUD guidelines.
• LaVerna Terrace is a great place for loved ones to call home.
• The nursing staff at Provena Terrace is precise, caring, and promptly meets residents' needs.
• Provena Terrace is highly recommended by families.

Cons

• The current management is the worst it’s ever been.
• The manager runs the home like a business rather than a final residence for seniors.
• She puts on a sweet face and smile, but does nothing for the residents, only complicating their lives.
• Speaking with neighbors, they absolutely cannot stand her and want her out.
• The current manager is only there three days a week.
• This facility is run like a general everyday business instead of a final home for senior citizens.
• They need to let go of a dictator who thinks the seniors need to “know their place.”
• There are fears of repercussions if family members raise concerns.
• The current management situation is not acceptable.
• Promises and reassurances have not been followed through, and the situation has become worse.
• Reassurances to families can be shattered when issues are discovered.
• Residents are living with bed bugs and their televisions are turned off every month for unexplained reasons.

Review

LaVerna Terrace is best suited for seniors who want a quiet, intimate, home-like setting where privacy and routine are valued above high-intensity services. The community tends to work best for residents who are relatively independent or lightly assisted, and for families willing to participate actively in care decisions and advocate when needed. The nimble, small-scale atmosphere can feel like a neighborhood more than a hospital wing, and that matters for those who prize dignity, familiar surroundings, and clear, policy-driven operations. It is less ideal for residents who require constant, on-the-ground management presence or seamless, seven-days-a-week leadership, because that level of continuity has been inconsistent.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are clear: if day-to-day, hands-on leadership and unambiguous, always-on communication are non-negotiables, this may not be the best fit. A resident who depends on steady administrator oversight, predictable responsiveness, and robust, 24/7 support should look for a community with fuller on-site coverage. Families that insist on friction-free access to management and a transparent accountability structure will also want to compare options. Additionally, recurring problems noted by some reviewers, pest concerns, intermittent amenity reliability, and a perception of management more focused on building operations than on resident welfare, signal that a more consistently managed setting could be a better match.

The strongest pro on offer is the core sense of stability that a small, privacy-conscious environment can provide. When the policies are aligned with HUD requirements and a staff culture emphasizes fairness and respect, LaVerna Terrace can feel like a trustworthy place to call home. Positive anecdotes highlight caring nursing staff, a clean environment, and residents who form lasting friendships, suggesting that, for many, the daily experience stays personable and respectful. A willingness to reset and improve under new management is another tangible asset, with many residents and family members reportedly embracing the direction of renewal. For families prioritizing dignity, quiet routines, and clean surroundings, these elements can meaningfully offset the downsides of a lean staffing model.

Yet the cons cannot be dismissed. The most consequential risk remains inconsistent on-site leadership, with reports that the main manager is present only part-time and that management style can feel uneven or distant from residents’ day-to-day needs. Several reviews describe a disconnect between administration and families, including fears about repercussions when concerns are raised and a lack of timely, actionable communication. Ownership changes and the implication that care priorities sometimes take a back seat to building operations contribute to a sense of instability. Add to that the bed-bug and intermittent amenity concerns raised by some residents, and the overall picture becomes one where tangible quality can dip if oversight slips. In this context, the positive care relationships with nursing staff help, but they do not fully neutralize these structural risks.

To navigate these dynamics, prospective families should demand concrete assurances before moving in. Seek a current, clearly defined on-site leadership schedule, including who is available for family inquiries and how families can escalate disputes. Request a formal family liaison or designated contact, and insist on written commitments covering pest control, routine maintenance, and reliable operation of essentials like televisions and other in-room utilities. Explore recent resident satisfaction notes and speak with multiple residents and family members to verify consistency of care and communication. Clarify how house rules are enforced, and whether there are protected channels for reporting concerns without fear of retaliation. A transparent plan to restore and maintain consistent quality will be the deciding factor.

In the end, LaVerna Terrace offers a viable, low-profile option for the right senior, one who can thrive in a calm, home-like environment with respectful staff and clear governance, provided management stability is restored and sustained. For families where stable, proactive leadership and open, continuous communication are non-negotiable, the alternatives, whether within the same ownership group or in other communities with stronger daily on-site presence, merit serious consideration. When choosing this community, the emphasis should be on establishing a reliable management relationship, concrete service guarantees, and a shared path for addressing issues as they arise, ensuring that the quiet comfort of this setting does not come at the cost of unresolved concerns.

Places of Worship

• Ark of Avilla Assembly of God (0.6 miles)
• Presbyterian Church (4.8 miles)
• First Baptist Church (4.9 miles)
• Grace Christian Church (4.9 miles)
• Crosspointe Family Church (4.9 miles)
• Fellowship Bible Church (5.1 miles)
• Faith United Methodist Church (5.3 miles)

Restaurants

• St James Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• Taps Pub & Grub (1.4 miles)
• Pizza Forum (4.9 miles)
• Ben's Soft Pretzels (5.1 miles)
• Super Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant (5.2 miles)
• Applebee's (5.2 miles)
• Burger King (5.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Fischer Pharmacare Avilla (1 miles)
• Walgreens (5.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (5.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.6 miles)
• Scott's Food & Pharmacy (5.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9 miles)
• DeKalb Health PharmaCare (10.7 miles)

Physicians

• Parkview Physicians Group - Family Medicine (1.2 miles)
• Ronda Farnham, NP (1.2 miles)
• WeCare (4.3 miles)
• Drs. Roush and Will Optometrists (4.7 miles)
• Brenda OHara, MD (5.2 miles)
• Parkview FirstCare - Kendallville Internal Medicine (5.2 miles)
• Parkview First Care (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Kendallville Park & Recreation (4.8 miles)
• Ocker Park (5.4 miles)
• Jordan Wetland Park (6.5 miles)
• Chain O'Lakes State Park (7.4 miles)
• National History Musuem Sport Complex (8.5 miles)
• Memorial Park (9.3 miles)
• Auburn Dog Park (9.9 miles)

Theaters

• Strand Theatre (4.8 miles)
• Auburn Garrett Drive In (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Parkview Noble Hospital (5.8 miles)
• DeKalb Health (10.8 miles)
• Auburn Birthing Center (11.1 miles)

Transportation

• Csx Garrett Yard (5.9 miles)
• Century Aviation (10.3 miles)
• Amtrak-Wti (11.9 miles)

Cafes

• Five Lakes Coffee (8.7 miles)
• Cranberry Cottage Cafe & Tea Room (9.6 miles)
• Busy Brush Cafe (9.7 miles)