Sumner at Ridgewood in Akron, OH

Pros

• Concordia at Sumner saved a mother’s life and gave her family peace of mind.
• The staff at Concordia at Sumner, along with Gardens of Western Reserve Hospice, have provided tender, compassionate care.
• Nancy Masseria, Concordia’s Recreation Director, brings joy through Bingo and a variety of activities.
• Concordia offers exceptional entertainment, including live performances, pianists, singers, and dancers.
• Concordia allows residents to bring their dogs, and Moet’s visits are eagerly anticipated by other residents.
• The medical team at Concordia provides effective treatments and medications that help residents stay alert and engaged.
• Concordia is a friendly and clean retirement facility where everyone is kind and welcoming.
• Outings and activities are well planned and enjoyable, and the staff are well trained and helpful.
• Concordia at Sumner is described by families as a blessing and a wonderful place to live.

Cons

• The reviewer notes severe understaffing and no one responding to call bells.
• The facility is described as lacking compassion and accountability.
• Residents have experienced delays or omissions in pain management and therapy.
• Call lights are not answered promptly and sometimes go unanswered for long periods.
• Staff are described as cold, inattentive, and sometimes rude, undermining residents’ dignity.
• Infection control is reportedly non-existent, with soiled items left in rooms and infection risk rising.
• There are reports of unsafe or mishandled discharge planning.
• Overall, the quality of care has declined over time, with basic hygiene and daily needs unmet.

Review

Sumner at Ridgewood (Concordia at Sumner) is best suited for seniors who prize a lively, faith-informed campus where independence and social connection are actively nurtured, and where families want a long-term home that can flex to higher levels of care as needs evolve. This community works well for residents who value an active calendar, meaningful activities, and the ability to bring a beloved pet along. It is especially fitting for those who want a polished, pleasant environment with easy access to on‑site amenities, a strong sense of community, and the comfort of a facility that has demonstrated capable medical coordination in the past. Those who require near-constant one-on-one supervision, extremely rapid call-light response, or highly standardized daily therapy and nursing every single day should consider alternatives. The facility’s strengths and its notable weaknesses demand a decision anchored in what matters most to the elder and the family: social vitality and home-like atmosphere versus uniform, around-the-clock clinical reassuring consistency.

The compelling positives run deep. Across multiple accounts, Concordia at Sumner emerges as a place where dedicated staff, family involvement, and a robust social life visit residents daily. Families repeatedly highlight personal care that is compassionate, attentive, and communicative, even when struggles exist elsewhere on campus. The care team is praised for being responsive to changing medical needs, coordinating with hospice when appropriate, and supporting loved ones with a level of warmth that makes the setting feel like home. The campus itself, beautifully maintained, clean, and aesthetically pleasing, supports a dignified living experience. Residents speak highly of the recreation offerings, from live entertainment and dances to Tai Chi, swimming, and library access, all anchored by a capable activity staff that can turn a dull afternoon into something meaningful. The ability to bring a dog and enjoy a pet-friendly environment further elevates life here for many families. For independent living, the apartments feel comfortable, and the sense of security is reinforced by social connections and accessible services, including on-site haircare, a pool, and dining options that make meals something residents look forward to rather than merely endure. In short, the core allure is a homey, engaged, all-encompassing community where life can still be joyful even as plans change.

But the sentiment is not one-note. Serious cautions appear in the full range of reviews, centering on staffing and reliability. A meaningful thread concerns understaffing and uneven coverage, with several accounts describing long waits for assistance, intermittent response to call bells, and reports of care delays that can undermine trust in daily safety and comfort. Even when compassionate care is available, the inconsistency in staffing can create a sense that some shifts run lean, leaving residents feeling neglected during peak activity periods or nighttime hours. Rehabilitative therapy experiences vary as well; some reviews laud good outcomes and attentive therapists, while others describe therapy as uneven, with frustrations about missed appointments, delayed treatments, or lack of accountability around pain control and mobilization. Infection control and general facility operations have also been questioned in some postings, with concerns about cleanliness and the coordination of medical needs. The loudest cautionary notes come from families who witnessed lapses in communication, disorganization during admissions, and moments when care felt transactional rather than person-centered.

These mixed signals present a clear calculus: the strong cultural and social benefits of Sumner at Ridgewood offset many gaps when caregivers are highly engaged and when families stay closely involved. The most compelling offset is observed where staff consistently demonstrate warmth, attentiveness, and an ongoing commitment to preserving independence and dignity. The campus environment, with its beauty, quiet, and abundant activities, creates a daily life that is meaningful and enjoyable for many residents and their families. When a resident can receive coordinated medical oversight, rehab when appropriate, and hospice services on-site, the facility delivers a holistic package that can outpace fear of occasional staffing gaps. Yet for those whose priority is unwavering, highly predictable care, especially around therapy, call-bell response times, and strict adherence to care plans, the inconsistencies can loom large and erode confidence. In those cases, the pros no longer fully neutralize the cons, and families may wish to explore other options with stronger staffing guarantees and more uniform clinical oversight.

For families navigating a decision, concrete steps help manage risk and maximize the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Ask for current staffing ratios on each shift and specific call-bell response times, then verify whether those numbers hold during evenings and weekends. Inquire about the rehab program’s structure: who supervises therapy, how often plans are updated, and what happens if a resident declines therapy on a given day. Probe infection-control history and present policies, and request transparency about any recent quality-improvement initiatives. Tour resident rooms and common spaces to assess cleanliness, odor control, and the ease of navigation for walkers and wheelchairs. Confirm pet policies and the logistics of transporting to appointments or other facilities, and request a named point of contact for family communication who can provide timely updates. Above all, insist on meeting the executive leadership and the director of nursing to gauge responsiveness and cultural alignment with family expectations.

The bottom line is practical and precise: Concordia at Sumner is a strong choice for families seeking a warm, socially rich, and home-like setting that can responsibly accommodate shifting care needs, with staff who can be genuinely caring and competent when well-staffed. It is less compelling for those whose top priority is perfectly reliable, uniform rehab and 24/7 hands-on supervision, days in and days out. For that profile, alternatives with consistently higher staffing levels and more uniform therapy programs may offer greater peace of mind. In sum, Sumner at Ridgewood stands out as a community where life can still be active, meaningful, and comfortable, so long as expectations are aligned with the realities of staffing variability and the quality of day-to-day execution. Families able to engage actively, ask the right questions, and monitor care closely will likely find Concordia at Sumner a blessing, while others may decide to look further afield for the steady cadence of care they require.

This area of Akron, Ohio offers a range of healthcare options with several physicians' offices and pharmacies within close proximity. There are also various restaurants and cafes nearby for convenient dining options. Places of worship are easily accessible for those looking to maintain their spiritual practices. Additionally, there are several parks nearby for outdoor activities and leisurely walks. In case of emergencies, there are hospitals within a short drive from the area. The presence of a movie theater provides entertainment options for residents as well. Overall, this neighborhood provides a combination of healthcare services, amenities, and recreational opportunities that could make it a desirable location for senior living.

Physicians

• Cns Healthcare Foundation (0.6 miles)
• Summit Adult Medicine Center (1.6 miles)
• Ohio Family Practice (1.8 miles)
• Center for Urologic Health (1.9 miles)
• Ohio Sleep Disorder Center (2.1 miles)
• Dylan R Childs, MD (2.2 miles)
• Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Acme Sav-On Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Rizzi's Ristorante & Pizzeria (1.5 miles)
• Swensons Drive-In (1.6 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.7 miles)
• Olive Garden (1.7 miles)
• Hooley House Sports Pub & Grille (1.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Arnone (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Nervous Dog Coffee Bar (3.5 miles)
• Molly Brown Cafe (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Church (2.4 miles)
• Ghent Christian Church (3.2 miles)
• Wadsworth Church of the Nazarene (6.9 miles)

Parks

• Green Leaf Park (3.2 miles)
• Mountain Bike Area (5.1 miles)
• Summit Lake Park (6 miles)

Hospitals

• Akron Children's Hospital (6 miles)
• Summa Western Reserve Hospital (6.5 miles)
• Summa Akron City Hospital (7.2 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Cuyahoga Falls And Xd (7.1 miles)