Golden LivingCenter - Columbus

Pros

• The staff is wonderful and upper management is very helpful.
• The facility is absolutely amazing, with residents who are sweet and kind.
• Management goes out of their way to make days exciting for residents.
• Emerald is a place with great staff and excellent care for all residents.
• The physical therapy is the best in Columbus.
• The meals are delicious.
• The facility is clean and residents are well kept and cared for.
• The staff are friendly and thorough; they truly care for the residents.

Cons

• Some staff refused to help residents by saying it wasn't their hall, signaling neglect and poor accountability.
• Agency staff were told to leave and felt unheard when trying to explain the situation to nurses.
• The facility was described as dirty, with residents not properly cared for and beds not lowered, leading to falls.
• The place was severely understaffed; residents were not bathed for days and staff were overworked and underpaid.
• Staff were unprofessional and expected to supervise too many patients at once.
• Critical communication failures were reported: nursing staff often did not answer calls, and messages went unanswered.
• Schedules were changed without authorization, forcing staff to pick up the slack.
• Nurses were consistently late for shifts, delaying care.
• Agency staff reported being blamed for issues and asked to do more work because of higher pay.
• There were safety concerns for residents with dementia due to understaffing and inadequate care practices.
• Several reviewers stated they would not recommend the facility to others.
• Management was perceived as unsupportive of frontline staff, causing frustration and distress.

Review

The collective feedback about Emerald Rehab and Nursing is a tapestry of contrasting experiences that reflect the realities of long-term care in a busy facility. On one hand, there are frequent accounts from agency CNAs, traveling nurses, residents, and family members who praise the warmth, personal attention, and professional dedication they encounter. On the other hand, a sizeable number of reviewers voice serious concerns about staffing, communication, and consistency of care. Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of a place that can feel like a close-knit family to some, while others perceive systemic gaps that impact residents' daily lives. The common threads across stories are care for people, the stress of high patient loads, and the ongoing tension between different staff groups within the building.

Several reviews highlight moments when staff members demonstrated genuine compassion and teamwork. For instance, travelers describe working with "wonderful" staff and an "upper management [team] [that] is very helpful." They point to individuals across departments - nurses, CNAs, rehabilitative staff, and reception - who go the extra mile to connect with residents, keep families informed, and maintain a sense of community. Specific names surface in these narratives: Danielle Pasonault, Deb, Chelsea, and Meghan, the receptionist, who are repeatedly thanked for their kindness and responsiveness. Families also mention positive day-to-day experiences, including friendly interactions with the care team, meaningful conversations about a loved one's care, and moments when residents' needs are addressed promptly and with a caring touch. In these views, Emerald feels like a place where residents are tended to with respect and treated with a familial hospitality.

Yet a substantial portion of the feedback centers on real or perceived gaps in staffing and organization that affect day-to-day resident care. Several reviews recount incidents where agency staff encountered friction with in-house teams over responsibilities, sometimes leading to delays or incomplete tasks. A recurring grievance involves the notion of "not my hall" used by some staff to avoid assisting residents outside their assigned units. One account describes an agency CNA being told by an in-house CNA that a resident needed toileting, only to be told by the other nurse to leave, which the writer interprets as neglectful behavior and a violation of basic resident care. Other reviewers detail situations where call lights were ignored, residents were not bathed for extended periods, or beds weren't lowered for residents with dementia, creating safety concerns. The tension between agency staff and permanent staff appears repeatedly, with accusations that agency workers may face higher expectations or pay, while some in-house staff feel stretched too thin, leading to burnout and missed tasks.

In response to some of these concerns, reviewers recount both proactive and defensive management stances. A recurring theme in the posted updates is the acknowledgment that "there are always two sides to the story," followed by management statements that they must side with their staff. One update references a specific incident where a nurse began to "strip beds, change residents, etc.," and notes that a resident complained about a nurse, suggesting a broader issue of workload and accountability. Another remark emphasizes that agency nurses often feel they are carrying additional duties because they are paid more, implying a perceived imbalance in responsibilities. These entries illustrate a facility that is attempting to manage conflict and accountability, while also revealing the pressure felt by both agency and in-house teams as they juggle staffing, tasks, and resident safety.

Beyond staffing concerns, multiple comments touch on operational realities that shape resident experiences. Some reviewers report inconsistent phone communication with nursing staff, with complaints about unanswered calls and delayed responses that leave families frustrated. Others praise the facility for cleanliness, the quality of meals, and the effectiveness of physical therapy, underscoring that the care environment can be well-ordered and nourishing for residents when staffing levels and processes align. In memory care units or specific wings, reviewers describe a favorable resident-to-staff ratio and a sense of calm, as well as activities and socialization that contribute to a positive atmosphere. A few families explicitly note that the facility has made commendable efforts during challenging times, including during the pandemic, when staff continued to go above and beyond for residents.

A subset of comments reflects the subjective nature of care and how experiences can vary dramatically from shift to shift or from visitor to visitor. Some reviewers report that the staff are "very professional," "kind," and "caring," with positive experiences of communication and involvement in care planning. Others recount tears and frustration - instances where interactions felt punitive, dismissive, or overwhelmed by the demands of the workday. This disparity highlights that care quality at Emerald is not a monolithic experience; rather, it is shaped by who is on duty, how well teams coordinate, and how management communicates and addresses concerns when they arise. The presence of both praise and critique suggests a facility with strong assets in certain areas and significant challenges in others.

In sum, Emerald Rehab and Nursing emerges as a place with genuine strengths and meaningful opportunities for improvement. When the staff collaborate effectively, residents receive attentive, compassionate care, and families walk away with confidence that their loved ones are respected and understood. In other moments, the facility grapples with staffing shortages, communication gaps, and perceived inequities between agency and permanent staff, leading to frustration and a sense that resident needs aren't always met as quickly or thoroughly as they should be. The range of experiences across reviews - ranging from deeply positive to markedly critical - highlights the complexity of operating a multi-shift, high-demand care environment and underscores the importance of consistent staffing, clear communication, and accountability. For those considering Emerald, the stories indicate a facility capable of warmth and high-quality care, but one where ongoing attention to staffing, processes, and front-line support remains essential to ensure every resident experiences the best possible care every day.

This part of Columbus, Nebraska offers a variety of amenities within close proximity, making it a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With parks such as Gerrard Park and Headworks Park nearby, residents have opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also several dining options including Shenanigan's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and Caffe Di Nonno for enjoyable meals. Medical facilities like the Optometric Center Of Columbus PC and Columbus General Surgery are easily accessible in case of health needs. Additionally, places of worship such as Hope Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church provide spiritual support. The presence of pharmacies like Bob's USave Pharmacy ensures easy access to medications. For entertainment, Center 7 Theatres is nearby for movies and there are cafes like Starbucks and 38th Street Coffee for social outings. In terms of healthcare, Columbus Community Hospital is located within a short distance. Overall, this area offers a mix of convenience and services suitable for senior residents looking for a comfortable living environment in Columbus.

Parks

• Gerrard Park (0.2 miles)
• Headworks Park (1 miles)

Restaurants

• Shenanigan's (0.3 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Caffe Di Nonno (0.6 miles)
• Subway (0.6 miles)
• Fuego Mexican Grill (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Optometric Center Of Columbus PC (0.3 miles)
• CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute - Columbus (0.9 miles)
• Columbus General Surgery (0.9 miles)
• Hematology & Oncology Consultants P C (0.9 miles)
• Columbus Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic PC (0.9 miles)
• Herschel E Stoller MD (0.9 miles)
• Columbus Women's Healthcare PC (0.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (0.5 miles)
• Lutheran Trust (0.5 miles)
• First Baptist Church (0.5 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (0.5 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (0.6 miles)
• Seventh Day Adventist Christian School (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Bob's USave Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Bob's U-Save Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Tooley's Drug & Home Care (1.3 miles)
• Tooley Drug Co (1.3 miles)

Theaters

• Center 7 Theatres (0.6 miles)
• Colfax Theater (16.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• 38th Street Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Picket Fence Cafe (1.2 miles)
• Sapphire Brothers Cafe (2.9 miles)
• Scotters Coffee (16.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Center Of Dermatology PC (0.9 miles)
• Columbus Medical Mission Team (0.9 miles)
• Columbus Community Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Alegent Health Memorial Hospital (16.4 miles)
• Alegent Health Clinic (16.4 miles)

Transportation

• Avcraft (1.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.8 miles)
• Great Plains Taxidermy (16.5 miles)