St Francis Home

Pros

• The administrator is described as a breath of fresh air and provides excellent care.
• Therapy was great and helped restore the patient to normal.
• Care was fantastic, with Nikki the unit manager checking on residents regularly.
• Nurse Loretta and CNA Pam are great.
• Michelle is wonderful.
• The facility is highly recommended by residents.
• Staff care for residents with passion.
• Therapy services help residents regain strength.
• Melanie, the care champion, checks on wellbeing every morning.
• Akua Addo makes sure concerns are heard and residents feel comfortable.
• The cafeteria meals are seasoned to perfection.
• The facility has positive energy and hands-on leadership.
• Optalis at St. Francis is a beacon of care and compassion.
• The staff implement resident suggestions and continuously improve.

Cons

• They claim the facility is focused on positive Facebook images and doesn't seem to care about residents beyond the lobby.
• They state the kitchen food was horrific and caused significant weight loss and ongoing vomiting because residents couldn't keep it down.
• They describe a shortage of staff, leading to hours-long waits for help with medical and incontinence issues.
• They report residents sitting in their own feces for up to two hours waiting for a change.
• They allege the director pressured them to post a review.
• They believe the situation will continue to deteriorate until corporate hires someone who cares more about residents than social media.

Review

Optalis of St. Francis shines through in the voices of residents, families, and community partners who describe a facility that feels more like a supportive family than a traditional nursing home. Across many accounts, the administration stands out for accessibility, warmth, and a clear commitment to keeping promises about care. The administrator, frequently named Akua Addo (often affectionately called Aqua), is praised as approachable, caring, and actively involved in day-to-day operations. Several reviews repeatedly note how Aqua personally checks in, makes time for questions, and even calls on weekends to stay connected with families. This hands-on leadership appears to set a tone where residents feel seen and respected, with family members expressing gratitude for the way their loved ones are treated.

Families repeatedly highlight the personal touch that accompanies medical care in this setting. One reviewer's mother speaks highly of a CNA named Tessa, who is described as very caring and consistently attentive, while a nurse named Anastasia receives praise for her capable and compassionate care. The same thread runs through the praise for the facility's management and frontline staff, who are depicted as being in tune with residents' needs and emotions. The sense of a collaborative, family-like atmosphere is reinforced by comments about the care champion Melanie, who checks on well-being every morning, and by the frequent, earnest follow-ups from the unit manager, Nikki. The impression given is of a cohesive team where all levels of staff - CNAs, nurses, and administrators - work in concert to support residents' health and comfort.

Therapy and rehabilitation are a standout feature for many reviewers, with patients describing meaningful improvements in function and mood. A patient recovering from knee surgery notes feeling nervous about rehab elsewhere but finding this facility's therapy team attentive and consistent, with the Administrator ensuring concerns are heard and addressed. Another account highlights the broader impact of therapy and activity on overall well-being, noting that residents regain strength and experience a noticeable difference from admission to current status. The vibe around therapy is one of effectiveness and encouragement, with both the clinical team and the broader staff emphasizing respect and personalized attention - an environment where residents feel their progress is celebrated and supported.

Beyond direct care, Optalis of St. Francis is described as a lively, energy-filled place where leadership is hands-on and residents are actively engaged in the life of the facility. Community events, charitable activities, and collaborative efforts with partners are cited as evidence of a facility that aims to do more than merely meet basic needs. A notable example is a backpack giveaway that the community welcomed, described as a beautiful turnout that illustrates the program's broader impact beyond the walls of the building. Partners and residents alike speak to the sense that Optalis is not only about care but about creating a vibrant, inclusive culture where residents feel a sense of purpose and connection to their community.

Several reviewers emphasize the facility's culinary program as a bright spot. The cafeteria and kitchen staff are praised for meals that are not only nutritious but also enjoyable and well-prepared. One resident who identifies as a food lover comments on meals that are seasoned to perfection, with the culinary team receiving a standing ovation for their dedication to quality and flavor. This appreciation for food as a meaningful part of the day complements the overall impression of a place that treats residents with dignity and respect in every facet of their experience, from medical care to daily routines and social life.

Not every review is entirely without fault. One deeply critical account recounts a troubling six-month experience characterized by severe health concerns linked to poor food quality and hygiene, insufficient staffing, and significant delays in basic care. The reviewer describes vomiting, diarrhea, and food that was not only disagreeable but unsafe, leading to weight loss and continuing health worries. The account also accuses the facility - and specifically the medical leadership - of dismissive responses to concerns, including a doctor who allegedly advised a patient to order their own care and a lack of adequate staffing that left residents waiting for assistance for hours. This perspective urges corporate oversight and a sustained commitment to resident-centered care beyond surface appearances. While it stands apart from the overwhelmingly positive chorus, it provides a counterpoint that emphasizes the need for continuous, concrete improvements in operations and accountability.

On balance, the tapestry of reviews portrays Optalis of St. Francis as a facility with a strong core of compassionate caregivers, proactive leaders, and a culture that values engagement, community, and resident well-being. Positive voices commending Akua Addo's leadership, the dedication of therapy and nursing staff, and the everyday acts of kindness - like personal check-ins, weekend calls, and celebratory events - dominate the conversation. The occasional critical note serves as a reminder that, like any care setting, there is ongoing room for growth, particularly in areas related to food safety, staffing levels, and timely responsiveness. Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of a facility that many families are eager to recommend, citing not only professional care but also a humane, person-centered approach that makes residents feel valued, heard, and at home.

Located in Saginaw, Michigan, this area offers a variety of amenities suitable for senior living. With several restaurants nearby such as Tony's Restaurant and Eudici's Pizza, seniors can enjoy a range of dining options within a short distance. Additionally, pharmacies like Hometown Pharmacy and Meijer Pharmacy are close by for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. For recreational activities, there are parks like Zauel Park and Bark Park where seniors can enjoy nature walks or spend time outdoors. The presence of hospitals such as St Mary's of Michigan and Covenant Medical Center ensures access to quality healthcare services. Places of worship like Community Baptist Church provide spiritual support within the community. Overall, this area in Saginaw offers a convenient and well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down.

Restaurants

• Tony's Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Eudici's Pizza (0.5 miles)
• Great Lakes Ice Cream (0.7 miles)
• Flannigans (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Wendy's (0.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hometown Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Arogya Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• Faler Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (1.1 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• St Mary's of Michigan (1.3 miles)
• White Pine Psychiatric Center (2.3 miles)
• Covenant Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Covenant HealthCare (4.9 miles)
• Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center (4.9 miles)
• Covenant Hospital - Labor & Delivery (4.9 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (5 miles)

Physicians

• Ascension Medical Group Saginaw Valley Pediatrics (1.3 miles)
• Meijer Optical (1.3 miles)
• Karu Medical Associates (1.4 miles)
• Hyde Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.5 miles)
• Mid-Michigan Pediatrics PC (1.5 miles)
• Saginaw Valley Bone and Joint Center (1.6 miles)
• David Dr - Easton David M DO Easton PhD (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Baptist Church (1.3 miles)
• Mid Michigan Singh Sabha (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Thomas Township (2.4 miles)
• Zauel Park (2.7 miles)
• Bark Park (2.8 miles)
• Harvey Randall Wickes Recreation Area (3.1 miles)
• Briarwood Park (3.7 miles)