Bethand Good Samaritan House

Pros

• Some staff members were polite.
• There were courteous interactions by some staff members.
• The reviewer notes that not all staff were rude, with polite behavior observed at times.

Cons

• He was not cared for while at the facility.
• He was found in urine-soiled clothing.
• He had clothes to be changed into but remained in the same clothing for days.
• The staff were a mix of rude and polite, with many sitting on their phones at the workstation.
• The reviewer notes that this would have been reported to the state in their professional experience with at-risk elderly.
• They pulled him from services there.
• The reviewer would not recommend the facility unless substantial changes were made.

Review

In this account, the narrator describes what happened after their grandfather was moved from the hospital to Good Samaritan. The transfer came after a period of hospitalization, and the family hoped for steady, compassionate care. What followed, however, was a troubling pattern that persisted for several days, according to the storyteller. The arrival itself is not the focus, but rather what happened once he settled into the facility and how his daily needs were or were not addressed during that stay.

A central concern in the narrative is the care level, or more precisely the lack of it, as experienced by the grandfather. The family reports that he was not cared for properly, and they later discovered him in soiled clothing, specifically with urine. This was not a one-time moment but a recurring pattern that indicated ongoing neglect. In addition to the soiled state, the family observed that he had clothing available to be changed into, yet he remained in the same outfits for days. Such details paint a picture of neglectful routines and a failure to attend to basic personal hygiene and comfort.

The account also offers a picture of the staff environment. The narrator describes a mixed bag of behavior among caregivers: some staff members were rude, others polite, but a troubling number appeared to be disengaged, simply sitting at the work station and using their phones. This combination - caregivers who are distracted or inattentive, alongside occasional cordial interactions - left the family with an impression of inconsistency and unreliability in the level of attention their grandfather received. The narrator's experience is filtered through professional eyes: they work in a field involving developmental disabilities and at-risk elderly people and say that if similar conditions occurred in their own organization, it would typically be reported to state authorities.

A strong thread throughout the narrative is the sense of responsibility and alarm the family felt. The professional background of the narrator underlines their expectation that care facilities maintain strict standards and proactive monitoring, especially for residents who cannot advocate for themselves. The described sequence - observing neglect, recognizing the potential for harm, and recognizing a pattern rather than a single misstep - bolsters the impression that this was more than an isolated incident. The author notes that they would have reported such conditions to relevant authorities in their own line of work, underscoring the seriousness of the perceived lapses.

Actions taken by the family further emphasize the gravity of the situation. They ultimately pulled their grandfather out of the services provided by the facility. The decision to remove him reflects deep concern for his well-being and dignity, as well as a lack of confidence in the facility's ability to deliver safe and respectful care. The narrator makes clear that this was not a decision made lightly, but one driven by firsthand observations of neglect and unanswered concerns about day-to-day care.

Looking ahead, the narrator is candid about their position on recommending the facility. They express a firm stance: unless there have been substantial and visible changes to address the issues described, they would not recommend Good Samaritan. The warning comes with an implicit expectation that if a facility makes significant improvements - especially in hygiene management, staff attentiveness, and overall safety protocols - there could be room for reassessment. Until then, the emphasis remains on caution and the importance of evaluating care quality before relying on a facility for a loved one.

In sum, the account details a distressing experience marked by neglect, uncomfortable observations about staff engagement, and a consequential decision to remove a vulnerable family member from care. The narrative remains grounded in the author's professional perspective and personal values about elder care, emphasizing the difference between sporadic lapses and sustained, systemic issues. The closing sentiment is clear: the facility would need to demonstrate meaningful improvement to regain trust and earn a recommendation.

The area of Baxter, Minnesota, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to retire in a peaceful yet accessible location. With transportation services like Executive Express and Enterprise Rent-A-Car nearby, getting around town is easy. Parks such as Berrywood Park and Northland Arboretum provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship like Heritage Assembly of God and Pointway Church offer spiritual fulfillment, while pharmacies such as Super One Foods and Walmart Pharmacy ensure easy access to medication. The presence of healthcare facilities like Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center and Brainerd Lakes Integrated Health System provides peace of mind for medical needs. Additionally, restaurants like China Garden and Burger King offer dining options close by, while cafes such as Stonehouse Coffee provide cozy spots to enjoy a cup of coffee. Overall, Baxter presents a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Transportation

• Executive Express (0.2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.4 miles)
• Lakes Express (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Berrywood Park (0.3 miles)
• Northland Arboretum (1 miles)
• Kiwanis Park (1.4 miles)
• Baxter Park (2.3 miles)
• Kart Kountry (4.8 miles)
• East Gull Lake Tennis Courts (7.2 miles)
• Brainerd Region Geological Marker (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Heritage Assembly of God (0.3 miles)
• Pointway Church (0.7 miles)
• Lake Area Christian Church (1.4 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (1.8 miles)
• Evangelical Good Samaritan (1.9 miles)
• Oak Street Chapel (2 miles)
• St Andrews Church (2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Super One Foods (0.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Service Drug (1.3 miles)
• Guidepoint Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Midwest Family Eye Center (0.6 miles)
• Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – Baxter (0.7 miles)
• Sleep Center of Central Minnesota (0.7 miles)
• Kurtis Waters PA (0.8 miles)
• Dermatology Professionals (0.8 miles)
• S Sjoberg PLC (0.8 miles)
• Convenient Care Clinic (0.8 miles)

Restaurants

• China Garden (0.7 miles)
• Burger King (0.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Wendy's (1.1 miles)
• Black Bear Lodge & Saloon (1.5 miles)
• Hardee's (1.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Allina Health (0.9 miles)
• Community Behavioral Health (1.4 miles)
• Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center (1.7 miles)
• Brainerd Medical Center (1.8 miles)
• Brainerd Lakes Integrated Health System (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• Stonehouse Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Coco Moon (1.8 miles)
• Knotty Pine Bakery (1.8 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (1.8 miles)
• Wings Airport Cafe (5.5 miles)