Sunwood Good Samartian Ctr

Pros

• The staff are friendly and helpful.
• The facility has a warm, home-like environment.
• The birds and fish are fun to watch.
• The food is amazing.
• The facility is beautiful.
• The staff work hard to take care of residents and put their needs first.
• The care provided is high quality.

Cons

• The facility is extremely dated, with tiny resident rooms and bathrooms smaller than closets.
• The staff are often short-staffed and some staff are rude.
• The facility was understaffed.
• Transportation and accessibility issues make it hard to fit a regular wheelchair into the mini-van and to use the elevator for appointments.

Review

River Valley Health & Rehab presents itself as a place where care and connection matter. Across several visits and comments, the thread is clear: the staff and residents share a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and many people leave with strong appreciation for the people who work there. One reviewer spoke about being treated "great in spite of my overwhelming needs," underscoring a sense that compassion and patience color the entire experience. Multiple voices emphasize that the staff, more than anything, makes a difference in daily life at the facility.

There are repeated affirmations about the kindness and usefulness of the staff. A person visiting as part of a larger community noted that the staff were always very friendly and helpful, even during regular visits from a pastor at Northwood Church who stops by to see residents. The sentiment is echoed by others who describe the staff as wonderful and very helpful, and who say they always enjoy spending time at the facility. This consistency in positive interactions paints a picture of a team that prioritizes resident well-being and accessibility for family and friends who come to visit.

Visitors also speak to the emotional and social environment inside River Valley. Several comments highlight a warm, home-like feeling that goes beyond medical care, with mentions of features like birds and fish that residents can enjoy. Reviewers describe the setting as a beautiful facility staffed by dedicated professionals who place residents' needs first. In particular, one account notes not only the care provided but also that the food is amazing, adding to an overall impression of a place that strives to be welcoming and comfortable for its residents and their families.

Family members and friends frequently express gratitude for the day-to-day experiences of caregiving. One reviewer shared that everyone was friendly and helpful with their mother, describing that day as great all around and thanking the staff for their efforts. There's also appreciation for transportation and logistics, with a note that the mini-van service was great on that occasion. This combination of personal attention and practical support reinforces the sense that River Valley aims to be a supportive community for both residents and their loved ones.

Yet, alongside the praise, there are important cautions raised about logistics and accessibility. A daughter's account raises a specific concern about the transportation process when her mother uses a mini-van and a wheelchair. She suggests that it would be easier if her mother could use a regular wheelchair, explaining that transferring to appointments can be challenging because of the elevator system and the way her mother has to be accommodated. She describes the last two visits as difficult for getting her mother into the vehicle and through the facility's elevator, indicating room for improvement in the intersection of mobility, transportation, and accessibility. This feedback reveals how critical detailed logistics are to the overall experience for some families and residents.

Beyond transportation, there are clear notes about the facility's physical condition. One reviewer labeled the building as "extremely dated," with resident rooms described as tiny and bathrooms smaller than closets. These comments speak to a structural and design challenge that can affect daily life and comfort, especially for residents who require more space or easier access. It's a reminder that, while staff care and community feel can be strong, the age and layout of the facility can impact day-to-day livability.

Finally, staffing levels emerge as a recurring theme. Several comments acknowledge that the facility is often short-staffed, and at times the scarcity of staff is directly tied to the quality or timeliness of care. The sentiment here is balanced by the overwhelmingly positive notes about those who are present, but the underlying concern remains: without adequate staffing, even the best-intentioned teams can face challenges in meeting every resident's needs consistently.

In sum, River Valley Health & Rehab comes across as a place where sincere care, friendliness, and a home-like atmosphere are central to the resident and visitor experience. The staff are repeatedly praised for their dedication, kindness, and willingness to go the extra mile, and the environment - including engaging features like birds and fish and a focus on good food - contributes to a welcoming ambiance. At the same time, there are legitimate concerns about the facility's dated infrastructure, the tight spaces of rooms and bathrooms, and ongoing staffing pressures, along with specific accessibility challenges related to transportation and elevator access. Taken together, the reviews sketch a complex picture of a caring community that is doing a lot well while also inviting improvements to ensure comfort, mobility, and sustainable staffing for the future.

This part of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, offers a variety of amenities suitable for senior living. With several places of worship nearby such as Evangelical Lutheran Good and St Catherine's Catholic Church, residents can find spiritual fulfillment. There are also multiple dining options including Café by Country Kitchen and McDonald's for convenient meals. For leisurely activities, parks like Memorial Park and Alexander Ramsey Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to healthcare is easily accessible with Redwood Area Hospital and various pharmacies in close proximity. Transportation options are available with the Redwood Falls Airport and U-Haul services for convenience. Overall, this area provides a peaceful and convenient setting for seniors looking to retire in a welcoming community.

Places of Worship

• Evangelical Lutheran Good (0 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (0.4 miles)
• Evangelical Free Church (0.4 miles)
• Presbyterian Church USA (0.4 miles)
• St Catherine's Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• Redwood Falls Assemblies Of God (0.6 miles)
• Harvest Baptist Church (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Café by Country Kitchen (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Burger King (0.5 miles)
• Season's Buffet (4.8 miles)
• Dacotah Restaurant (5.1 miles)
• Las Palmas Restaurant (5.8 miles)
• Morton Pub (5.8 miles)

Parks

• Memorial Park (0.3 miles)
• Redwood Falls City Water Department (0.5 miles)
• Legion Park (0.6 miles)
• Alexander Ramsey Park (1.1 miles)
• Ramsey Park (1.4 miles)
• Nester Park (17 miles)
• Kubesh Park (17.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Redwood Area Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Morgan Medical Clinic (12.5 miles)
• Renville County Hospital (17.2 miles)
• Healthpartners Rc Olivia (17.4 miles)
• Renvilla Nursing Home (17.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sward Kemp Snyder Drug (0.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Sward Kemp Snyder Drug (0.8 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (0.8 miles)
• Guidepoint Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Page Snyder Drug (17.2 miles)
• Olivia Drug Co. (17.2 miles)

Physicians

• Pbr Optometrists (0.6 miles)
• Avera Medical Group Optometry Redwood Falls (0.6 miles)
• RC Hospital & Clinics (17.2 miles)

Transportation

• Redwood Falls Airport (1.1 miles)
• Olson Taxidermy (1.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2 miles)
• Redwood Rental Center (2 miles)
• Olivia Regional Airport (OVL) (16.8 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (16.9 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (16.9 miles)

Cafes

• Java Express (17.1 miles)