Masonic Homes of Kentucky, Inc.

Pros

• The rehab program was very good (physical and occupational).
• Cinthia the nurse was the bright star, being kind, compassionate, caring, and a great communicator.
• Shannon was a good nurse.
• There are some great aides who go above and beyond.
• Brian, an aide at Marsh House, was a godsend.
• The physical and occupational therapists were helpful and kind.
• The staff are very caring and attentive, and they work hard to provide activities for residents.
• The grounds are gorgeous, and the facility is aesthetically pleasing.

Cons

• The facility has a very poor setup for COPD, with no intercom, cold meals, and very long waits for assistance.
• Residents were not greeted for at least 20 minutes, and staff performed skin checks without addressing immediate care needs.
• A bandage was removed and a wound was left wide open the next morning, mortifying the family.
• Staff showed little understanding of residents' needs and did not adequately assess fall risk.
• Overall communication within the facility was horrible, with unreturned calls and poor follow-up.
• Rehab care was inadequate: residents were not helped to stand or eat and were not consistently cleaned after bathroom use.
• Agency or temporary nurses were reportedly sleeping on shift, leading to neglect.
• Ostomy supplies were not provided, causing leaks and dehydration; call bells went unanswered for long periods.
• Food service was unreliable, with trays missing items or being inedible.
• There were serious allegations of sexual assault and other neglect.
• Residents were sometimes left alone or on the floor due to improper transfers and lack of assistance.
• The grounds look nice, but the care quality is inadequate.
• Social workers and discharge planning were unresponsive or unhelpful.

Review

A number of residents, relatives, and visitors have shared a range of experiences at Masonic Homes, painting a picture of a facility that is often praised for its beauty and grounds but criticized repeatedly for the quality and consistency of care. A recurring concern centers on the interactions between residents and staff, as well as the systems in place to protect vulnerable people, such as those with dementia or serious medical needs. One caller's situation stands out early: a dementia patient in the community repeatedly phones a private home, and the caller ID shows "Masonic Homes." The person making the calls remains unidentified, and despite contacting the main office, staff there claimed they do not know who it was. The caller argues there should be a reporting mechanism and a block on residents' phones to prevent calls to random people, highlighting a broader worry about resident safety and accountability.

Beyond this issue, reviewers report a troubling pattern in the day-to-day operations that affects both in-house therapy and daily living. Several reviews describe a very poor setup for residents with chronic conditions like COPD, including the absence of an intercom system and consistently cold meals, paired with long waits for assistance. The sense from these accounts is that urgent needs are not being met promptly, and that essential communications with caregivers are often delayed. The frustration is compounded by the observation that even when attention is finally received, the response can be cursory or inadequate, leaving residents feeling neglected or inadequately cared for.

The inpatient rehab experiences recounted in these reflections are particularly stark. New arrivals describe not being greeted for twenty minutes or more, and in many cases, waiting 30 to 45 minutes for help after calling for assistance. When staff do respond, some reviewers recount instances where aides or nurses would turn off a call light and leave without asking what was needed, or would come in and only superficially address the situation. One family member described a situation where a wound required specialized care, and the bandage was removed overnight, exposing a large wound. The family member insisted against removing the bandage the following day, but the wound was left exposed again, causing significant distress. Communication issues among the care team amplify these concerns, with multiple reviewers noting poor coordination, a lack of proactive outreach, and a sense that staff did not fully understand or acknowledge their loved ones' needs.

Within this broad dissatisfaction, there are moments of acknowledgment for individual staff members who stood out in a positive light. A nurse named Cinthia is repeatedly described as the only bright star in some reviews - reliable, compassionate, and an effective communicator who offered real reassurance. On the other hand, social workers are frequently criticized for unreturned phone calls and limited follow-through; a reviewer specifically noted that Ally, a social worker, provided little help and left questions unanswered. The overall sentiment about social work and case management is that families feel left in the dark and undervalued, with some suggesting that more timely and empathetic engagement would make a meaningful difference in how families experience the facility. Yet there are also glimmers of praise for particular aides and clinicians - Shannon the nurse is singled out positively, and a few aides, such as Brian at Marsh House, are described as helpful and caring in meaningful ways.

The reviews also pull back to reveal broader concerns about staffing and safety. Several entries reference the use of agency nurses who may be unfamiliar with the facility, sometimes leaving patients in rooms unattended or in situations where care is not delivered as expected. There are pointed criticisms about ostomy care, including an episode where proper supplies were not provided, leading to leakage and dehydration, with other reviewers noting delayed assistance and even unsafe conditions like staff coming in after long smoke breaks. Night shift practices are questioned, with observers noting masks worn below the nose and a general sense that some staff are not fully equipped or prepared to handle the level of care required. A particularly troubling claim describes a patient reporting sexual assault, with the implication that there are systemic concerns that regulatory authorities may need to investigate. One reviewer also notes inconsistent food service, with missing items on tray tickets and meals that were not appropriate for the patient's dietary needs, underscoring a fragmentation between kitchen operations and resident care.

Despite the many criticisms, there are not entirely negative portraits. Reviewers occasionally highlight positive experiences with the rehabilitation team, praising the physical and occupational therapists for their kindness and effectiveness, and noting that certain staff members - though not always consistently - seek to go above and beyond for residents. The physical environment, including well-kept grounds and general aesthetics, is frequently cited as a redeeming feature. Some reviewers express gratitude for specific staff who did their best under challenging circumstances, and a few acknowledge improvements or personal efforts by social workers and nurses who demonstrated genuine care. The contrasts between compassionate individual performances and systemic gaps create a nuanced portrait of a facility that can be both comforting and deeply frustrating, depending on who is providing care and when.

Taken together, the range of experiences points to a facility whose outward appearance may be inviting, but whose day-to-day operations have left many families feeling unsettled and distressed. The reviews repeatedly call for more reliable, timely, and dignity-centered care, stronger oversight and accountability, better communication with families, and concrete measures to protect vulnerable residents - especially those with cognitive impairment or complex medical needs. In the meantime, while some staff members are praised for their dedication, the overarching message from these accounts is clear: residents deserve a more consistent standard of care, prompt assistance, and transparent, respectful engagement with families. If concerns persist, families and residents may consider reaching out to state health regulators or oversight bodies to ensure that care standards are being met and that concrete steps are taken to address the gaps highlighted by these experiences.

This area of Masonic Home, Kentucky offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, residents have easy access to medication and health supplies. There are also numerous dining options including Gerstle's Place, Irish Rover, and The Cheesecake Factory for enjoyable meals out. Several places of worship like Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St Martha Parish cater to spiritual needs. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians' offices like East Louisville Pediatrics and Norton Community Medical Associates situated close by, along with hospitals such as Baptist Health Louisville and Clark Memorial Hospital within a short distance. For leisure activities, parks like Cherokee Park and Waterfront Park provide beautiful outdoor spaces for relaxation. The Cinemark Mall St Matthews and XD is the perfect spot for catching a movie, while cafes such as Fante's Coffee and Quills Coffee offer cozy atmospheres for socializing over a cup of coffee. Overall, this area offers a vibrant community with essential services and recreational opportunities in close proximity.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Gerstle's Place (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.1 miles)
• Irish Rover (2.1 miles)
• Rafferty's (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Dave & Buster's (2.2 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (2.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Trinity Catholic Church (0.7 miles)
• Lyndon Baptist Church (3.2 miles)
• St Joseph's (3.4 miles)
• St Martha Parish (3.9 miles)

Physicians

• East Louisville Pediatrics (1 miles)
• East Louisville Pathologists (1.9 miles)
• Norton Community Medical Associates (2.2 miles)
• Tucker Alison Dr Norton Community Medical Associates Saint Matthews Louisville (2.2 miles)
• Louisville Physicians for Women (2.3 miles)
• Community Medical Associates (2.3 miles)
• Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (2.3 miles)

Parks

• Cherokee Park (1.8 miles)
• Community Park (2.2 miles)
• Des Pres Park (3.9 miles)
• Waterfront Park (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Baptist Health Louisville Labor & Delivery (1.9 miles)
• Baptist Health Louisville (1.9 miles)
• Baptist Hospital East Surgery (1.9 miles)
• Baptist Hospital East Park Tower (2 miles)
• Signature Care and Rehabilitation-Northfield (2.2 miles)
• 3 East Olop (3.7 miles)
• Clark Memorial Hospital (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Mall St Matthews and XD (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Fante's Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Heine Brothers' - Longest Ave in the Highlands (3.2 miles)
• Quills Coffee (3.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.4 miles)