601 Grant Avenue, Eveleth, MN 55734
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of St Raphael's Health & Rehab
Pros
The Waterview Woods staff are great.
Leah, the administrator, strives to care for every resident with utmost respect and kindness.
The residents are happy and engaged with the staff.
The staff are wonderful.
Residents and staff form a tight-knit crew that feels like family.
The staff are awesome.
The staff are welcoming.
The staff have a huge heart and deserve recognition.
Cons
The uncle experienced terrible care and was not attended to as he should have been.
The staff refused to provide service and were absolutely rude to the reviewer.
A resident with dementia and MS was left alone and in silence after the room phone and TV were unplugged, which the reviewer found absolutely disgusting.
The reviewer believes the death of their mother sounds like neglect.
The reviewer gave zero out of five and would not recommend the facility.
Review
St Raphaelâs Health & Rehab in Eveleth is best suited for families seeking a warm, community-driven environment where staff turnover is low and care feels personal. The clearest strength is a staff culture that reads as genuinely invested in residentsâ day-to-day happiness, with many accounts describing the team as kind, respectful, and attentive. When visits go in, residents often appear engaged and connected to caregivers, which matters to families prioritizing social interaction and a feeling of belonging over clinical formality. This setting tends to reward caregivers who cultivate rapport and routine that supports dignity and day-to-day comfort.
That said, serious caveats push some families toward alternatives. A sizable portion of feedback flags concern over care quality and responsiveness, including claims of neglect, rude interactions, and difficulty getting timely help. Specific issues cited include unaddressed medical needs, a history of phones or televisions being unplugged, and questions about how concerns are escalated or communicated. For loved ones with complex medical needs, or those who absolutely require rapid, reliable communication and proactive oversight, these accounts suggest substantial risk, making it prudent to compare other options before committing.
On the upside, the staff consistently earns high marks for warmth and approachability. Residents are described as cared for with respect, and multiple comments praise an administrator who appears determined to safeguard dignity and personal attention. The sense of family noted in several reviews, where staff, residents, and families feel connected, can translate into a calmer daily rhythm, fewer mood dips, and better compliance with routines that keep seniors comfortable. For families who value a supportive, personable staff and a home-like atmosphere, these strengths are compelling and can meaningfully improve daily life.
Yet the negative experiences cannot be dismissed. Reports of subpar care quality, delayed responses, and outright rudeness are not incidental; they recur enough to warrant serious consideration. Alarming anecdotes, such as neglect allegations and distressing circumstances surrounding a residentâs end of life, cast a shadow over the otherwise positive tone. Even when some staff members are praised, these outlier cases create a credibility gap that families should investigate with current residents, visit multiple times, and probe into staffing levels, supervision, and accountability. The overall rating cadence (a mix of strong highs and notable lows) reflects a facility with uneven outcomes.
How the positives weigh against the negatives depends on what a family prioritizes. If companionship, a visible, caring staff presence, and a home-like feel are the top priorities, St Raphaelâs can be a strong fit and may offset modest care gaps with daily warmth and engaged residents. If, however, certainty of medical responsiveness, unwavering reliability, and transparent communication are non-negotiable, the risks highlighted by several reviewers are hard to overlook. The decision hinges on balancing a cherished social environment against the possibility of inconsistent care and communication lapses.
Practical next steps are clear. Visit at different times of the day, including mealtimes and shift changes, to observe how staff manage care and calls for help. Ask direct questions about response times, incident reporting, and how caregivers coordinate with physicians and family members. Speak with multiple staff members and, if possible, current residents or their families about how concerns are handled today. If memory care, complex wound care, or high medical supervision is required, compare St Raphaelâs with alternatives that demonstrate stronger track records in those areas. In the end, alignment on daily routines, communication expectations, and the level of medical oversight sought will determine whether this community truly serves the loved oneâs best interests.






















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