Maplewood of AThens

Pros

• The staff at The Laurels of Athens is outstanding.
• Every staff member at The Laurels of Athens is kind and willing to serve residents.
• The cleaning staff and nurse assistant at The Laurels of Athens work together to serve residents.
• The nursing staff at The Laurels of Athens is phenomenal.
• The physical therapy staff at The Laurels of Athens is outstanding.
• They are always willing to help residents regain their strength.
• The Laurels of Athens is a wonderful place to work.
• The staff at The Laurels of Athens is like family and some of the most caring people.
• The facility at The Laurels of Athens is well-maintained, clean, and welcoming.
• The nurses and aides at The Laurels of Athens make every effort to meet residents' needs, always with a smile.

Cons

• This reviewer would not recommend the Laurels at this time.
• They report long wait times for call lights, sometimes up to an hour.
• The reviewer described the place as a house of horrors.
• They warned that loved ones should not stay there because staff do not care for residents.
• They stated residents developed bed sores due to lack of care and not being bathed or moved daily.
• Staff were overworked and unable to meet some patient needs.
• The food was described as disgusting and inedible.
• They claimed staff did not answer questions and treated inquiries as a burden.
• They noted there were days with only two showers in three weeks.
• They would not even let their cat live there.
• They gave zero stars and urged not to send anyone there.
• They stated residents waited hours for help and were not cared for.

Review

Maplewood of Athens (the community widely referred to in local reviews as The Laurels of Athens) is best suited for families seeking a rehab-forward skilled-nursing environment with a strong, caring staff and a home-like culture. The core strength lies in on-site therapy and nursing attention: residents routinely receive robust physical and occupational therapy, with nurses and aides described as consistently warm, attentive, and ready to tailor care to individual needs. Clean facilities, well-maintained common areas, and a transportation service that feels professional and dependable further anchor its suitability for short-term rehab followed by longer-term stays where ongoing therapy and daily support remain priorities.

Careful readers should, however, consider that this community may not be the right fit for every family. Those who cannot tolerate variability in dining experiences or who place a premium on consistently high-quality meals may want to explore alternatives. Several reviewers note acceptable to excellent meals overall, while others describe the food as a notable drawback. Additionally, a subset of the population has raised concerns about staffing pressure and response times, particularly at night, as well as occasional lapses that can color a stay. For families seeking near perfect uniformity in every facet of care, a more explicitly regulated environment might be worth evaluating elsewhere.

The strongest pro: top-tier therapy and frontline care. Many reviews applaud the therapy teams - PT, OT, and nursing staff - for being capable, kind, and hands-on, with therapists frequently singled out for their knowledge and dedication. The practical impact is clear: residents recover mobility, regain independence, and experience a sense of progress that makes hospital-to-home transitions more realistic. The facility's cleanliness and orderly presentation reinforce confidence that residents live in a setting that supports wellness, while the staff's willingness to go the extra mile is repeatedly cited as a differentiator. This combination - effective therapy, responsive nursing, and a supportive atmosphere - often offsets the inevitable snags that accompany any large elder-care operation.

That said, the cons are not trivial and should be weighed against the positives. The most persistent concerns center on staff workload and consistency across shifts, which can translate into slower call-light responses or uneven care experiences from hall to hall. Several narratives highlight moments when residents felt left waiting for help or encountered gaps in attention, especially overnight. Food quality also shows up as a mixed bag; some residents praise meals as part of a positive daily routine, while others describe it as a frequent weakness of the overall experience. A handful of reviews mention misplacements or administrative hiccups and even serious complaints, reminding prospective families to probe current operations and to verify how leadership rectifies issues when they arise.

For decision-making, these dynamics translate into practical guidance. Prospective families should plan a structured visit that includes time on multiple shifts to observe call-light response, meal service, and therapy engagement. Question current residents and family members about consistency of care, especially on overnight hours, and ask for a tour of the therapy gym to meet the clinicians who would carry the rehabilitation plan. Bring a list of goals - mobility milestones, endurance targets, or daily living activities - and request a realistic timeline from the therapy team. Inquire about meal options, dietary accommodations, and whether the kitchen can accommodate preferences or restrictions. Finally, review the facility's approach to incident follow-ups, communication with families, and the involvement of management in resolving concerns.

Overall, The Laurels of Athens (Maplewood of Athens in your materials) presents a compelling option for families prioritizing strong therapy outcomes, a compassionate caregiving ethos, and a supportive, family-like staff environment. Its advantages in rehab quality, staff dedication, and facility upkeep are compelling, and many families report meaningful improvements and genuine peace of mind. Yet the mix of occasional staffing strains and inconsistent meal experiences cannot be ignored. For families who value a consistently flawless dining program or who require near-uninterrupted, uniform coverage across all hours, it may be prudent to survey a small set of comparable communities as a contingency. The right choice hinges on aligning personal care priorities with the facility's proven strengths while remaining vigilant about the operational gaps that have surfaced in reviews.

Physicians

• Athens Health Solutions (0.2 miles)
• Muntean Health Care (0.5 miles)
• Thomas Littler (0.8 miles)
• Express Care (1.4 miles)
• Diles Hearing Center (1.4 miles)
• Athens Family Practice Clinic (1.4 miles)
• University Medical Associates (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Crumb's Bakery (0.2 miles)
• Village Bakery & Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Go Puff (0.7 miles)
• Papa John's Pizza (0.9 miles)
• Broney's Alumni Grill (0.9 miles)
• Bob Evans (1 miles)
• Stephen's (1 miles)

Transportation

• Athens Go To Cab (0.4 miles)
• The Athens Wine Company (1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Church Of God (0.6 miles)
• First Baptist Church Athens (0.8 miles)
• Mt Zion Baptist Church (0.9 miles)
• Parish Church (1.1 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1.1 miles)
• Christ the King Catholic Church (1.1 miles)
• Grace Christian Center (2.1 miles)

Parks

• Armory Park (0.9 miles)
• Johnny Appleseed Park (0.9 miles)
• Athens Downtown Historic District (1.1 miles)
• Sells Park (1.2 miles)
• West State Street Dog Park (1.5 miles)
• Emeriti Park (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Sheltering Arms Hospital (1 miles)
• Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Camel Hookah (1 miles)
• Donkey Coffee & Espresso (1.1 miles)
• Whit's Frozen Custard (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Court Street Coffee (1.3 miles)
• The Front Room Coffeehouse (1.4 miles)
• Catalyst Cafe (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Supervalu (2.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.9 miles)
• Fruth Pharmacy (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Athena Grand (2.4 miles)