Park View House in Buffalo, MN

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Pros

• Park View is described as having wonderful staff and engaging activities for residents.
• The nursing and therapy teams are caring, knowledgeable, and consistently go above and beyond.
• Staff like Jessica help residents with meals and ordering, contributing to comfort.
• The facility is very clean and well-maintained.
• The physical therapy team is sharp, kind, and works well as a team.
• The staff’s attentiveness and empathy help residents feel at home and supported in their care plans.
• Reviewers note that Park View helped residents recover and return home quickly.
• The overall atmosphere is described as caring and respectful.

Cons

• The facility left the patient sitting most of the time and limited walking to once a day, with no walking on weekends.
• It was described as the worst rehab facility around, and the reviewer would not recommend it to anyone wanting to get up and move.
• The staff were perceived as not listening to patients or trying to understand them, and writing names on clothes with Sharpie felt dehumanizing.
• The grandmother’s stay included neglected bathing, wounds from lack of mobility, and delays of over 20 minutes for bathroom assistance.
• A nurse rudely asked where the family was and failed to clearly communicate about ER care after a low hemoglobin result.
• The facility smelled of urine, rooms were hot, and residents’ call buttons were not reliably answered.
• Floors in some rooms were not cleaned for extended periods, and bed linens were mishandled.
• Meals were often limited and lacking variety, such as being mostly a sandwich and hot soup.

Review

Park View House in Buffalo, MN is best suited for families seeking a rehab-forward option where on-site physical therapy and active programming are central to the experience. The strongest cases come from residents who respond well to hands-on therapy, enjoy structured activities, and can tolerate a facility that rewards vigilant advocacy from loved ones. In practical terms, this community can deliver meaningful recovery when therapy teams are consistent, staff are engaged during treatment periods, and family members remain closely involved in daily care decisions. It is not a hands-off choice; it requires a proactive approach to ensure that early mobility goals stay on track and that questions about care plans are answered promptly.

Those weighing alternatives should consider options that promise more reliable daily care and a consistently clean, well-managed environment. If daily assistance is slow, bathing and wound care are uneven, or basic respect and communication feel inconsistent, a different facility may be a safer fit. The reviews suggest some residents experience thorough rehab and heartfelt staff support, but equally strong signals point to understaffing, delayed responses, and hygiene lapses. For families prioritizing steady, predictable daily care, or for residents with higher needs for assistance and dignity in routine tasks, exploring other communities with stronger staffing ratios and stricter quality oversight is prudent.

On the upside, the rehab-facing strengths at Park View House are clear. Several accounts name the therapy team as capable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in progress. Nursing and aide staff are described as caring and supportive when available, and there are many mentions of positive meals and engaging activities that help residents feel connected and guided back toward home. When therapy is consistent and well-coordinated, residents report tangible gains, a sense of safety in the care plan, and a hopeful path to returning home. These elements, quality rehab, attentive therapists, and pleasant nourishment, constitute the core reason some families choose Park View House.

Yet the main cons temper that upside. The most persistent concerns revolve around staffing and daily logistics: long waits for assistance, inconsistent support outside formal therapy sessions, and gaps in basic daily care such as bathing, mobility aid oversight, and timely bathroom assistance. Several reviews highlight outdated facilities, overheated rooms, odors, and housekeeping lapses that erode comfort and dignity. Communications missteps, ranging from terse nurse calls to delayed notification about health changes, also recur. When these gaps appear, the rehab gains risk being undermined by what happens day to day in between therapy blocks, threatening safety and long-term recovery momentum.

To make a well-informed decision, prospective families should vet Park View House with concrete, visit-based inquiries. Observe care during different shifts to gauge responsiveness and warmth in routine tasks, not just during therapy sessions. Request to meet the rehab director and a shift supervisor, review a sample care plan, and verify the anticipated therapy schedule and goals for a loved one. Inquire about nurse-to-patient ratios, response times, and the facility’s process for communicating changes in health status. Check recent housekeeping and room maintenance routines, and ask about how dietary needs are accommodated when menus run short or substitutions occur.

In conclusion, Park View House offers a rehab-centric path with notably strong therapy and social programming, but it carries significant caveats related to daily care consistency and environmental upkeep. For families prioritizing aggressive rehab outcomes and who are prepared to monitor care closely, the facility can be a practical, even rewarding choice. For those whose experience hinges on reliable daily care, clean surroundings, and consistently prompt assistance, alternatives with firmer staffing and demonstrably steady operations should be pursued. The decision hinges on whether the potential for meaningful rehabilitation through dedicated therapy outweighs the risk of variable daily care and facility shortcomings.

Located in Buffalo, Minnesota, this area offers a variety of amenities suitable for senior living. With several parks nearby such as Sturges Park and Gary Mattson Park, residents can enjoy the outdoors and stay active. A range of pharmacies including Sterling Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy are conveniently located for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. There are also a selection of restaurants like Applebee's and Perkins Restaurant and Bakery for dining out options. Places of worship such as St Michael Catholic Church and Seventh-Day Adventist Church provide spiritual support within the community. For medical care, there are several physicians' offices like Allina Medical Clinic and Richardson Nancy MD in close proximity, along with hospitals such as Buffalo Hospital Emergency Department for any health emergencies. Additionally, cafes like Irish Blessings Coffeehouse offer a cozy atmosphere for socializing with friends. Overall, this part of Buffalo provides a well-rounded and accommodating environment for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful neighborhood with access to essential services.

Parks

• Sturges Park (0.1 miles)
• Mills Sturges Park (1.3 miles)
• Gary Mattson Park (1.5 miles)
• The Park (1.8 miles)
• Delano City Park (9.1 miles)
• Pioneer Park (9.2 miles)
• Central Park (9.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sterling Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Sterling Drug (0.4 miles)
• Cub Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Cub Pharmacy 691 (9.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (10.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Hot Wok Delivery (0.4 miles)
• Bunkers of Course (0.5 miles)
• Applebee's (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (1 miles)
• El Molcajete Mexican Resaurante and Bar (1.2 miles)
• Sakura Sushi & Steak House (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Michael Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• Seventh-Day Aventist Church (0.6 miles)
• Wels (4.2 miles)
• Liberty Mission Church (4.3 miles)
• Holy Cross Lutheran Church (7.1 miles)
• St Mary's Catholic Church (8.3 miles)
• Crow River Church (9.5 miles)

Physicians

• Allina Medical Clinic (0.9 miles)
• Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (1 miles)
• Richardson Nancy MD (1.9 miles)
• West Metro Ophthalmology (2.1 miles)
• Whitesell Medical Locums (2.2 miles)
• Onsite Medical Service (9.4 miles)
• Drs. Bailey and Simmons (10.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Buffalo Hospital Emergency Department (2 miles)
• Buffalo Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Monticello-Big Lake Pet Hosp (8.9 miles)
• Riverplace Clinic (10.3 miles)
• Monticello Big Lake Hospital (10.3 miles)
• New River Medical Center (10.3 miles)
• Nursing Home Monticello-Big Lake (10.4 miles)

Cafes

• Irish Blessings Coffeehouse (7.7 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (10 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (10.3 miles)

Theaters

• Monticello 15 Theatre (8.8 miles)