Mescalero Assisted Living

Pros

• The family was pleased with the care and attention provided by the entire staff.
• Nurses and aides were informed and attentive.
• There were no long waits for help.
• The nurses were willing to explain what the mother needed.
• The food was really good for an institution.
• The staff helped find a good recliner that aided mom.
• Mescalero Care Center offered the best possible care.
• The center always had staffing.
• The facility was always clean.
• The mom received exceptional care.

Cons

• It was the worst place.
• The food was lousy.
• They gave wrong medicine.
• They didn't check up on patients to see if they were alright.
• The doctor never came in to check on patients.
• The dad would have died if he had been left there.
• Most workers were uncaring and lazy regarding his care.
• He stayed eight days and had a horrific experience.

Review

Across the handful of reviews, a single care center emerges as a place of strong contrasts: some families sing the praises of attentive, communicative staff and solid day-to-day care, while others recount frightening lapses that left loved ones vulnerable. The stories together paint a picture of a facility spectrum where good experiences are matched by troubling ones, sometimes even within the same institution or at least within the same network of care.

In one heartfelt account, a family expresses deep gratitude for how their mother was treated. They describe a team of nurses and aides who were informed and attentive, with help arriving promptly and no long waits for assistance. The staff were noted for their willingness to explain what Mom needed, turning care into a collaborative, understandable process for her family. Even in a setting where the writer acknowledges an institutional environment, the food is praised as "really good," which stands out given common expectations about hospital meals. The only downside mentioned was a bed that wasn't comfortable, though the staff went the extra mile to help find a solution by providing a recliner that made a meaningful difference. The family closes with a sincere thank-you, underscoring a moment when care aligned with their hopes for a loved one's comfort and understanding.

A separate reviewer offers a long-term, consistently positive testimonial about Mescalero Care Center. The writer notes the care extended over many years, describing it as the best one could expect, with staff availability always present and routines that kept things moving smoothly. The sentiment emphasizes reliability and cleanliness: "always staffing," "no delays with orders," and a facility that was "always clean." The perspective chronicled a husband or father's mother who was a patient for six months and received exceptional care, reinforcing the impression of a place where stable, ongoing engagement from the team mattered. The concluding lines suggest a strong endorsement: this is "the best place to receive care" with "great, great staffing." Such a testimonial highlights the meaningful impact of sustained, dependable staffing and a tidy, well-managed environment on a patient's experience.

Not all feedback, however, is favorable. One review is stark in its condemnation, labeling the place as "the worst place there is." The grievances are specific and severe: the food was lousy, medicines were given incorrectly, and there was a failure to monitor patients' well-being. The critique also accuses the staff of neglecting basic checks on patient status and notes that the doctor never came in to examine patients. The tone is accusatory and urgent, pointing to serious safety and quality-of-care concerns that would be deeply troubling to any family.

Another somber account intensifies the sense of danger and neglect. The writer asserts that their dad would have died if they had not intervened, portraying the staff as uncaring and lazy when it came to their father's care. The family was there every day for eight days and describes the overall experience as horrific, a stark contrast to stories of attentive care. The repeated emphasis on daily presence by family members juxtaposed with reported indifference from staff amplifies the sense that oversight and empathy were lacking when it mattered most.

Taken together, these reviews illuminate a care environment that can vary dramatically from one patient and family to another. The positive experiences emphasize the critical importance of well-informed, responsive nursing staff, clear explanations of care needs, timely help, and a clean, orderly setting. They also remind readers that simple comforts - such as a bed that supports restful sleep - contribute to the overall impression of care. On the other hand, the negative voices underscore the gravity of errors and gaps in care: medication mistakes, insufficient patient monitoring, the absence of physician involvement, and a sense of indifference among staff can transform a hospital or care facility into a frightening place for families already navigating stress and worry.

What these stories collectively suggest is that the quality of care in such settings hinges on everyday practices: adequate staffing, attentive and communicative caregivers, reliable medication administration, timely physician involvement, and a clean environment. They also underscore the emotional dimension of care - the comfort families feel when staff explain what's happening, respond quickly to needs, and treat patients with dignity. Conversely, when those elements falter, families are left with fear, frustration, and the sense that their loved ones are not being protected.

In the end, the range of experiences reflects real-world variation in care environments. For families, the takeaway is twofold: to seek out facilities with demonstrated, consistent staffing and clear communication, and to advocate vigorously for safety measures - from accurate medication practices to regular physician check-ins - while recognizing that even in well-regarded places, lapses can occur. The hopeful message in the strongest reviews is that compassionate, proactive care can make a meaningful difference in a patient's well-being, while the cautionary voices remind us that vigilance and accountability remain essential in any setting where vulnerable loved ones receive care.

Hospitals

• Mescalero Indian Health Services (0.1 miles)
• Mescalero Phs Indian Hospital (0.1 miles)
• Mescalero Indian Health Service (0.2 miles)
• PHS (14 miles)
• Southern New Mexico Surgery Center (19.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Josephs Restoration (0.3 miles)
• Mescalero Family Worship Center (2 miles)
• Coven of the Midnight Light (12.9 miles)
• Abundent Life United Penticostal Church (13.5 miles)
• Calvary Chapel of Ruidoso (13.8 miles)
• Episcopal Church In Lincoln County (13.8 miles)
• Christ Community Church (18.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Big Game Sports Bar (10.6 miles)
• TopGolf Swing Suite at the Inn (10.7 miles)
• Pena's Place (13.2 miles)
• Lincoln County Grill (13.3 miles)
• The Ranchers (13.3 miles)
• Grill Caliente (13.3 miles)
• Vinny's Italian Cucina (13.3 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Hearing Care (13.3 miles)
• Family Practice Associates of Ruidoso (13.4 miles)
• Sacramento Mountain Medical Facility (13.7 miles)
• Ruidoso Orthopedic & Sports Med (13.9 miles)
• Internal Medicine Associates (13.9 miles)
• Rath Keri MD - Lincoln County Surgical Clinic (14 miles)
• Alamogordo Internal Medicine P C (18.4 miles)

Cafes

• Viva:LLC (13.3 miles)
• Starbucks (13.3 miles)
• Breaking Beans (13.4 miles)
• Rustic Cafe (18.9 miles)
• Lotus Boba Tea (20.5 miles)

Parks

• Rio Ruidoso (13.4 miles)
• Briggs Field Doggy Park (19 miles)

Theaters

• New Mexico Museum Of Space History Alamogordo (18.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Medical Arts Pharmacy (20.4 miles)
• Acp Pharmacy (20.5 miles)

Transportation

• Alamo-El Paso Shuttle Service (20.5 miles)