415 Sidney Street, Po Box 69, Saint James, MO 65559
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Residents and families describe a troubling picture at the facility now known as St. James Living Center, with concerns that span finances, dignity, cleanliness, and day-to-day care. The stories come from people who have watched loved ones live there for years, and they come with a mix of fear, frustration, and, in a few cases, genuine gratitude for the moments when staff showed compassion. What emerges across these accounts is a facility that has changed hands - originally a Golden Livingcenter site, then sold to Health System Inc., and rebranded as St. James Living Center - while leaving behind a portfolio of complaints that touch almost every facet of resident life.
A recurring thread centers on money and control. One account describes a brother who has been a resident for about five years and who, a year ago, was helped to file for Social Security benefits. After the payout, the facility allegedly demanded that several thousand dollars of back pay be placed into a trust controlled by the facility, and since then the resident has not been allowed to touch that money. The same account notes that the resident is on Medicaid, which covers much of his care, and that a debit card linked to his monthly SSI payments was actively used or requested by someone at the facility for payments. The reviewer claims that the facility demanded the card information and charged him through methods like Cash App, effectively treating the resident's funds as if they belonged to the facility rather than to him. The language used is that this is illegal under the Nursing Home Care Act, and there is a vow to engage an Ombudsman or a lawyer to challenge what is described as "money hungry" behavior. Taken together, these details paint a portrait of alarm about financial control, access to funds, and the potential for disputes that residents' families feel are not adequately addressed by the administration.
Beyond money, safety and personal belongings are major concerns. Several reviewers describe rooms being dirty and items going missing, with little or no action taken by staff to address the losses or the cleanliness issues. One explicit complaint mentions dried food on a mother's shirt and in bed, suggesting a broader pattern of neglect or neglectful attention to hygiene, while another review references ongoing complaints about the quality of food. Taken together, these comments contribute to a perception that basic respect for residents' personal space and dignity is not consistently upheld, and that environmental standards - room cleanliness, odor control, and housekeeping - leave some residents feeling neglected.
Interwoven with financial and cleanliness issues are perceptions of staff behavior and the overall quality of care. A number of accounts describe staff as unfriendly and lacking teamwork, with criticisms directed at administration and leadership for being unprofessional or disengaged. One reviewer - an ex-nurse aide who had worked there - claims the nursing and CNA teams did not function as a true team, with many nurses arguing in front of residents and little collaboration in daily care. The sense that staff are sometimes overextended, divided, or ineffective in coordinating care runs through several comments. Yet there are counterpoints: some reviewers highlight people or segments within the therapy department, transport staff, or certain nurses who were compassionate, competent, and patient, noting that "therapy did a great job with my mom" and that the transport divers were helpful. The contrast between praise in specific therapeutic or mobility-related moments and criticisms about overall administration and teamwork contributes to a nuanced, if frequently negative, overall impression.
End-of-life care appears to be a mixed bag as well. One reviewer recounts an experience with hospice care that was exceptionally positive: within a two-day window, the staff were described as wonderful, caring, and professional, handling the patient with dignity and gentleness at the end of life. This stands in stark contrast to other comments about care quality elsewhere in the facility, but it underscores that compassion and professional conduct can exist within the same organization, depending on the situation or perhaps the particular staff involved. These hospice notes also emphasize that when care is delivered with respect for a resident's humanity, even in difficult circumstances, it can leave a lasting, positive impression on families.
Discharge planning and communication appear to be another point of friction. In one account, the therapy department's success is tempered by a lapse in discharge planning, where the social worker did not provide updates or facilitate a necessary planning meeting, resulting in ambiguity about the next steps for a resident's transfer. The sense of professional frustration is palpable: even when some departments perform well, others fail to coordinate, leaving families uncertain about what comes next and how their loved ones will transition to the next phase of care.
Taken together, the collection of experiences suggests a facility marked by significant variability in performance. Some residents and families report that, in certain moments, staff show care, competence, and humanity; others report persistent issues with cleanliness, respect, consent over funds, and a lack of cohesive teamwork among caregivers. The name change and ownership transition appear to accompany a perception among families that accountability and consistent standards may have become harder to trace, which can amplify mistrust during already stressful periods of illness or aging. On balance, the narratives invite both caution and recognition: caution to potential residents and their families to investigate and ask hard questions about who is managing funds, how money is handled, and what protections exist for residents; and recognition that there are individual caregivers within the facility who are praised for their thoughtful, respectful care and for maintaining dignity at crucial moments.
In the end, what stands out is the human impact of these experiences. For some families, the facility represents a place where their loved ones are cared for with warmth by a few dedicated staff members during therapy sessions or hospice moments; for others, it is associated with frustration, fear about financial practices, and concerns about the basic conditions of living space and daily care. The stories point to a need for stronger oversight, clearer policies on financial management for residents, and more consistent training and teamwork among staff to ensure that care is not only technically adequate but also respectful, transparent, and focused on preserving residents' dignity and autonomy.
St James Living Center in Saint James, MO is a skilled nursing facility that offers exceptional care services and a wide range of amenities. Our residents benefit from 24-hour supervision and assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and transfers. We also provide medication management and special dietary restrictions to ensure the health and well-being of our residents.
Our community is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable living experience. Residents can take advantage of various amenities including a beauty salon, fully furnished accommodations, a computer center, and cable or satellite TV for entertainment. We also offer community-operated transportation for easy access to nearby locations.
At St James Living Center, we understand the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. Our fitness room and wellness center provide opportunities for residents to engage in physical activities and exercise programs tailored to their needs. Additionally, our gaming room, small library, and scheduled daily activities offer plenty of recreational options.
Delicious meals are served in our dining room with restaurant-style dining. We cater to special dietary restrictions such as diabetes diets and offer meal preparation services. Residents can enjoy their meals while socializing with others in a pleasant atmosphere.
Our location provides easy access to local amenities, making it convenient for our residents to explore the surrounding area. With numerous restaurants, cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, and places of worship nearby, our residents have ample opportunities for leisure activities and accessing necessary services.
If you or your loved one are looking for an assisted living community that provides top-quality care along with an array of amenities in Saint James, MO, St James Living Center is the ideal choice.
St James Living Center is located at 415 Sidney Street, Po Box 69, Saint James, MO 65559 in Phelps County, Missouri
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