Southern Nursing Home Care

Pros

• They were very helpful with getting the process completed from start to finish.
• The rehab staff is excellent.
• ARCHIE had a wonderful time thanks to Gonzales Healthcare.
• They did wonderful for me.
• You don't find employees like these often.
• There are two really good aids that are wonderful.
• Really nice staff.
• The experience was very nice; it was really clean and the workers were sweet.

Cons

• The facility is dirty and run-down, with many things not functioning.
• The staff are rude and unprofessional.
• They deprived a resident of urgently needed medication for days.
• The facility is chronically understaffed, leading to poor quality of care.
• There is neglect, blame-shifting, and excuses, with little accountability.
• Residents are not greeted or engaged and appear sad and neglected.
• A colostomy bag was not changed for two weeks, and feedings were delivered inappropriately.
• Call buttons and oxygen needs were ignored or delayed for hours.
• Residents developed pressure sores and wound infections due to inadequate therapy and wound care.
• Bathrooms were unsanitary, with shared facilities and strong smells.

Review

Gonzales Healthcare Nursing Home elicits a broad and conflicted set of experiences from families and patients, but the prevailing thread across most accounts is one of serious concerns about safety, dignity, and everyday care. A number of reviewers describe the facility as overcrowded and understaffed, with frequent reports of neglect, inconsistent medical oversight, and troubling sanitation issues. Yet within the same collection of voices there are scattered notes of gratitude for individual staff members and small victories in recovery or administrative help. Taken together, the impressions paint a picture of a place where care quality can swing dramatically depending on who is attending, when, and how many staff members are available.

A common refrain centers on understaffing and unprofessional behavior. Multiple reviewers describe being met with unfriendly attitudes, a lack of clear information, and insufficient time or attention for residents. Some say staff members are hard to reach or fail to answer the call button in a timely fashion, sometimes waiting an hour for help with basic needs like oxygen or pain relief. One reviewer specifically complains about the hours-long delays in calling a nurse for essential medical support, while others reference a pattern of excuses offered for poor response times. In one instance, a patient's family had to repeatedly intervene just to obtain medications, highlighting a disconnect between families' expectations and the facility's operational reality.

Care failures and medical mismanagement appear in several vivid scenarios. A recurring and particularly alarming theme is neglect of wound and ostomy care, with reports of a colostomy bag not being changed for two weeks and feeding being administered inconsistently or improperly through a feeding tube. There are accounts of a patient remaining bloated and nauseated from rapid or inappropriate feeding, while another review describes a patient with an open wound who did not receive timely wound care or proper monitoring. In one case, a patient with a stomach wound was not examined by a doctor and was discharged in a manner that later prompted the caller to transfer care back to the hospital. The risk and severity of these failures are underscored by mentions of pressure sores, hospital transfers, and a hospice patient whose condition was not adequately communicated to the family in a timely fashion.

Sanitation and general facility conditions also surface as major concerns. Reviewers describe a persistent and pervasive smell in the bathrooms and shared rooms, with two rooms reportedly sharing a single bathroom, creating unsanitary conditions that some families felt were unacceptable for long-term care. The physical environment is contrasted with occasional praise for the appearance of the front office, where visitors see a clean and well-presented space, only to encounter a very different reality once behind the doors. Several comments point to a lack of meaningful interaction with residents trapped in front of televisions, leaving many patients appearing disengaged or "zombie-like" during visits.

Communication gaps and the emotional toll on families are evident throughout the narratives. Several reviewers recount not being informed promptly about a loved one's decline or hospitalization, sometimes learning of critical changes in the patient's condition only after the fact or from another family member. There is also testimony about how some staff members, including nurses, can be admonished for questions or family involvement, which compounds worry when a loved one's autonomy and comfort are at stake. These communication hurdles, paired with the observable care deficiencies, contribute to a pervasive sense of fear and frustration among families.

Despite the many negative experiences, there are pockets of optimism and praise for particular staff members and even some positive experiences with rehabilitation efforts. One reviewer notes that the rehab staff was excellent during a recent stay, while another highlights two aides who stood out as wonderful and patient, calling out several names by the staff. A few reviews express gratitude toward specific individuals - naming names like Donna Chenervert, Kalyn Green, Lakesha Barker, Charmaine Jackson, Quavonna Burton, and Royce Stewart - who are described as going above and beyond, providing care that felt genuinely compassionate and attentive. In addition, some comments acknowledge the hard work of dedicated nurses and therapists who genuinely try to help, even within a challenging system.

The overall sentiment about Gonzales Healthcare Nursing Home is mixed but leans heavily toward concern. There is a strong call from many families to avoid placing loved ones in the facility due to the risk of neglect, mismanagement, and safety concerns. A number of reviewers advocate for formal complaints or regulatory review, with at least one explicitly stating an intention to file with the Louisiana Board of Health. Others counterbalance the negative experiences with specific positive encounters and affirmations of good care from particular staff members, particularly in the rehab or personal support areas. The juxtaposition of highly praised individual caregivers and widespread reports of systemic problems creates a complicated mosaic: moments of human compassion and competence exist side by side with troubling patterns that undermine trust in the facility as a whole.

In summary, the narratives portray Gonzales Healthcare Nursing Home as a place where care quality varies dramatically. While there are commendations for certain staff members who provide kindness, responsiveness, and specialized attention, the majority of statements describe neglect, inadequate staffing, slow responses to calls, sanitation issues, and serious medical oversights. Families seeking a safe, consistently well-run environment for a loved one should weigh these accounts carefully, recognizing that experiences can differ greatly from one shift to the next and that positive interactions with individual caregivers do not necessarily reflect the overall reliability of the facility.

This part of Gonzales, Louisiana offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing for senior living. There are several pharmacies within close proximity, making it convenient to access medication and healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and cafes nearby for dining options and social gatherings. The presence of hospitals and physicians in the area ensures easy access to medical care when needed. Places of worship are also available for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. For recreation, there are parks within a short driving distance where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of essential services and leisure options suitable for seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Cooper’s Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Dupre Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Walgreens (5.5 miles)
• Walgreens (9.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (0.2 miles)
• Grand Wall Chinese Super Buffet (0.2 miles)
• Whataburger (0.5 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.6 miles)
• Piccadilly (0.7 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.8 miles)
• Chicken Salad Chick (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Carlico Cafe (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Pj's Coffee (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (9.8 miles)
• Starbucks (12.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Community Clinic (1.4 miles)
• Emergency Department, Our Lady of the Lake Ascension (2.5 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• Viable Solutions (11.1 miles)
• Prevost Memorial Hospital (11.8 miles)
• Woman's Hospital (12 miles)
• Woman's Hospital-Labor & Delivery (12 miles)

Physicians

• Adult Medicine and Diagnostic Center (2 miles)
• Baton Rouge Urology Group (2.4 miles)
• Louisiana Dermatology Associates (2.5 miles)
• Muzychka, Daria, Md - St Elizabeth Physicians (2.5 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group St. Amant (3.3 miles)
• Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Dutchtown - Sleep Medicine (4.5 miles)
• The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center (5.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Life Cathedral Worship Center (2 miles)
• St Paul Baptist Church (2.5 miles)
• St John the Evangelist Catholic Church (4.7 miles)
• New St Peter's Baptist Church (9 miles)
• St Luke AME Church (10.4 miles)
• Shekinah Glory Christian (10.8 miles)
• Greater Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church (11 miles)

Parks

• Paula Park (4.9 miles)
• Donaldsonville Historic District (10.4 miles)
• BREC's Baringer Road Park (11.3 miles)
• Highland Road Park (11.4 miles)
• The Preserve at Harveston (13.1 miles)
• Parklawn Park (13.3 miles)