Ridgewood Nursing & Rehab Ctr

Pros

• The facility has awesome staff and an amazing administrator, and residents and families are treated with kindness and respect.
• The staff, including Josh, Christina, housekeeping, the activity director, nurses, and doctors, are absolutely amazing and very caring and loving.
• The employees are nice and respectful to residents and their families.
• The facility is great and makes residents happy.
• The care and rehab after strokes are fantastic, with staff going above and beyond to help residents improve.
• The leadership promotes a positive, caring environment; happy staff means well-cared-for residents.

Cons

• The night shift leaves residents in their wheelchairs during dinner and walks by without helping.
• Staff ignored a resident's extreme foot/leg pain for days despite requests for medical attention.
• The facility is described as dirty and the elderly aren't bathed regularly.
• A reviewer claims that a doctor killed their mother.
• Residents are kept in shared rooms with incompatible roommates, no window or chair, and private rooms can be denied.
• A resident fell from a wheelchair and staff did not promptly assist, with poor documentation of the incident.
• A nurse aide yelled at a resident and told them to "shut up," and there was another incident of staff yelling at a resident with brain dysfunction.
• State inspectors substantiated abuse and neglect at Ridgewood, resulting in fines, including a case where a foot injury progressed to gangrene.

Review

Ridgewood Specialty Care in Ottumwa appears in these reviews as a place with a strong core of compassionate staff and a dedicated administrator, who together create a warmth that many visitors and family members appreciate. Across several accounts, people consistently describe the staff as kind, respectful, and genuinely caring toward residents and their families. Names like Josh, Christina, the housekeeping team, the activity director, nurses, and doctors are repeatedly praised for being attentive and loving in their approach. One reviewer even highlights the social worker Kristina as particularly helpful, underscoring that the team often goes above and beyond to support families during difficult times.

There is a clear thread of high praise for the facility's ability to provide meaningful care, rehab, and end-of-life support. Several reviewers recount personal victories and gratitude, such as a mother who received excellent rehab after a stroke and showed meaningful improvement in a relatively short period. Statements like "Amazing place" and "great care for my family member" surface repeatedly, and some reviewers celebrate specific staff members who made a difference in their loved ones' lives. The overall sentiment in these positive reviews is that Ridgewood can be a wonderful, supportive environment where residents feel cared for and families feel reassured.

However, the same set of messages carries significant warnings and critiques about safety, responsiveness, and daily operations - particularly during night shifts and times when help is most needed. One reviewer describes a night shift that leaves residents in wheelchairs without timely assistance during dinner, detailing ongoing pain and a sense that staff walk by and do nothing. Another account describes a heartbreaking sequence in which a mother's extreme foot and leg pain went unaddressed for days, culminating in a tibial fracture that was discovered only after a family member intervened and an ambulance was arranged independently. These stories emphasize a troubling lack of timely pain management and urgent medical attention, and they culminate in a decision to relocate the loved one.

There are also concrete, firsthand accounts of neglect and discomfort that extend beyond pain management. A reviewer describes being left in a chair for extended periods, denied a private room despite eligibility, and placed in a room without a window or adequate seating. There are observations of other residents experiencing falls without prompt assistance or proper documentation, and a broader sense that communication about medical changes or needs could be improved. A case is cited where a resident developed bronchitis and pneumonia, with questions raised about how quickly tests and treatments were pursued. Together, these narratives paint a portrait of a facility where comfort and dignity for residents can coexist with episodes of perceived under-care and slow responsiveness.

The most troubling portion of the collection arrives with a detailed update about regulatory action. An update from November 2022 notes that Ridgewood, along with six other Iowa nursing homes operated by the same company, was involved in substantiated complaints tied to abuse and neglect. In Ottumwa's Ridgewood Specialty Care, inspectors found a sequence of severe concerns: a resident's foot turning purple and swollen, escalating to gangrene, with a delay in treatment followed by surgery or hospice and resulting in fines. An additional penalty was imposed for resident abuse, including a disturbing incident in which a nurse aide was overheard disparaging a moaning resident. The explicit phrasing of "Do NOT place your loved one in the hands of these awful people!" captures the gravity of these findings and the fear many families feel when imagining their relatives in care at this facility.

Against these troubling findings, there are still voices that emphasize leadership and a positive care culture. Some reviewers assert that the leadership promotes a caring environment and that staff are happy, suggesting a link between staff morale and resident well-being. A few accounts even praise the administration and the director of nursing, with comments that reflect pride in the team's dedication. The juxtaposition of praise for individual caregivers and harsh criticism of systemic failures reflects a complex reality: Ridgewood can be a place where outstanding, compassionate care exists alongside serious gaps in safety, oversight, and medical responsiveness.

For families considering Ridgewood, the collective message is twofold. On one hand, you may encounter staff who are exceptionally kind, responsive, and invested in your loved one's rehabilitation and comfort. On the other hand, there are repeated cautions about delayed interventions, inadequate supervision, and the risk of neglect, particularly at night or during critical moments. The most practical guidance from these reviews is clear: stay engaged, advocate relentlessly, and visit often - random visits, as some reviewers suggest, may help you catch and address issues early. While the facility can offer meaningful care and positive experiences, potential residents and their families should weigh these benefits against the documented safety and care concerns, and stay informed about regulatory developments that may affect oversight and quality of care.

This part of Ottumwa, Iowa is a well-rounded community that offers a variety of amenities and services for seniors. With several places of worship nearby, individuals can maintain their spiritual practices. There are also numerous dining options available, ranging from fast food chains to local eateries, providing a diverse selection of cuisine. In terms of healthcare, this area boasts several pharmacies, physicians' offices, and hospitals within close proximity, ensuring easy access to medical services. Additionally, transportation options such as U-Haul rentals and taxi services are readily available for convenient travel. For leisure activities, residents can enjoy the Ottumwa 8 Theatres or explore the nearby parks for outdoor recreation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of essential resources and entertainment options that cater to the needs of seniors looking to settle in the area.

Places of Worship

• First Church of the Open Bible (0.1 miles)
• Drawing Closer Ministries (0.3 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.4 miles)
• Ottumwa Iglesia Bautista Hispana De Ottumwa (0.5 miles)
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church (0.9 miles)
• Church Of The Brethren (1.1 miles)
• Pickwick Church of Christ (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Culver's (0.5 miles)
• Hardee's (0.5 miles)
• Dave's Welcome Inn (0.9 miles)
• Mike's Pizza & Steakhouse (0.9 miles)
• Mizu Hibachi Sushi (0.9 miles)
• China Star Buffet (1 miles)
• Burger King (1 miles)

Physicians

• Eyemart Optical Outlet - Ottumwa (0.9 miles)
• Dermatology Central Iowa (0.9 miles)
• Concept By Iowa Hearing Aid Centers (1.1 miles)
• Foot & Ankle Associates (1.9 miles)
• All Ages Pediatrics PC (2.3 miles)
• Family Practice Center (2.9 miles)
• River Hills Pediatric Clinic (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1 miles)
• U-Haul (1.2 miles)
• Ottumwa Cab (1.9 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.1 miles)
• Amtrak (2.2 miles)
• R & B Taxi (2.2 miles)
• Alamo (2.2 miles)

Theaters

• Ottumwa 8 Theatres (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Ottumwa park (1.5 miles)
• Sycamore Park (1.8 miles)
• Ottumwa Park & Recreation Department (2.3 miles)
• Central Park (2.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• South Side Drug (1.9 miles)
• Compounding Solutions (2.3 miles)
• Nucara Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Child Health Specialty Clinic (2.4 miles)
• McCreery Cancer Center (3.6 miles)
• Orhc Scheduling (3.7 miles)
• Ottumwa Regional Health Center (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Nesters Cafe (2.5 miles)