The HomeStead at GentleBrook

Pros

• The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming.
• The rooms are nice, spacious, and comfortable, with thoughtful touches that make them feel like home.
• There is a great selection of board games and activities that keep residents engaged.
• The Homestead is a beautiful assisted living with the best staff, and it is very clean.
• Residents look well put together, and aides regularly interact with them.
• The building is beautiful and the staff are welcoming.
• Gentlebrook's facility is beautiful with a wonderful team of caretakers who go above and beyond.
• The care provided is of high quality, with staff doing a terrific job.

Cons

• The nurse staff allegedly forgot to give the mom her insulin on several occasions.
• It is claimed that residents can be asked to leave if their loved one doesn't get along with the director or prefers their own doctor.
• There are alleged "lots of issues going on behind closed doors."
• The building is beautiful, but there are "lots of problems to fix" noted by the reviewer.
• One reviewer stated they were very unsatisfied.

Review

Moving a loved one into a memory care unit is never easy, but the overall impression from the visits described here is that the community strives to make the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible. The sentiments center on a warm, welcoming environment where staff genuinely seem to care, and where the surroundings are designed to feel like home. The rooms are noted as spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful touches that help residents settle in, and there's a strong emphasis on keeping residents engaged through a well-curated menu of activities and games. In short, the atmosphere feels respectful, patient-centered, and wholesome, which goes a long way toward easing family worries.

Several reviews highlight a recurring theme: a facility that feels both beautiful and well-run, supported by a team that people trust. The Homestead and Gentlebrook come up in these reflections as places where the front desk staff greet families warmly and where the care staff consistently demonstrate kindness and attentiveness. The sense from these accounts is that the people who work there are not only professional but genuinely invested in the well-being of residents and their families. This combination of aesthetics and approachable staff creates an impression of reliability and peace of mind for those who are navigating memory care for a loved one.

The care environment itself is repeatedly described as clean, well-maintained, and activity-rich. Caregivers are portrayed as engaged and interactive with residents, not just going through motions but actively supporting daily living with warmth and consideration. For those who have spent years in the field, such as someone with 10-plus years of experience in assisted living, the praise carries a note of credibility - an acknowledgment that the facility meets high expectations for both governance and day-to-day operations. The emphasis on cleanliness, resident presentation, and meaningful interactions paints a picture of a community that prioritizes dignity and respect in every interaction.

Meals and social life appear to be meaningful components of the overall experience. Several reviewers mention home-cooked meals and the presence of holiday cheer, alongside spacious rooms and a broad schedule of activities. The combination of good food, comfortable living spaces, and regular, engaging activities seems to contribute to a sense of normalcy and belonging for residents. The narrative here is one of a place where residents are encouraged to participate, stay connected, and feel valued as part of a community, not just occupants of a facility.

A particularly resonant thread in these accounts is the emotional and practical support offered to families. One story, in particular, centers on caregivers Dianna and Roxanne, whose care and guidance helped a daughter through the dementia journey with empathy and clarity. The reviewers describe moments of genuine compassion - helpful explanations through each phase of dementia, care that extended beyond the individual to support the entire family, and a sense of grace during difficult times. In addition to the daily care, there's acknowledgement of the end-of-life support and presence of staff who stand by families during deeply personal moments. The shared gratitude in these narratives underscores the commitment of the team to both residents and their loved ones, turning the facility into a place that families feel grateful for, not just a place they need to use.

Despite the overall positive picture, one review introduces a cautionary note that warrants attention. The reviewer reports incidents where insulin administration lapses occurred, which understandably raises concerns about medical oversight and safety. They also mention a perception that some administrative dynamics could be tense or exclusionary - suggesting that, in certain circumstances, families who do not have personal connections to staff might feel pressure or face barriers if there is disagreement with leadership or with the house doctor. The reviewer further states that there are "lots of issues behind closed doors," even while acknowledging the building's beauty. This single perspective introduces questions about consistency in clinical care, transparency in operations, and the practices around resident autonomy and physician access. It's a sobering reminder that, in any memory care setting, patient safety and open communication must be ongoing priorities.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents a largely positive portrait of a memory care community that strives to be both welcoming and capable. Families report a facility that looks and feels well cared for, where staff interactions are frequent and friendly, and where activities, meals, and social opportunities contribute to a meaningful daily life for residents. The strongest endorsements come from those who have witnessed compassionate, hands-on support during dementia care and end-of-life moments, with thanks directed toward staff who helped families navigate difficult times with dignity and grace. Yet the contrasting account about medication safety and possible internal tensions serves as a crucial reminder to prospective families: ask detailed questions about medication protocols, staff ratios, and governance structures; request a transparent discussion about how doctors coordinate care and how concerns are addressed; and, if possible, observe a routine treatment or medication administration to gauge safety and accountability.

If you're evaluating memory care options for a loved one, these stories collectively suggest focusing on three key areas: the quality and consistency of daily care (including medication safety), the institutional culture around family involvement and transparency, and the ability of the staff to create a comforting, home-like atmosphere while still delivering professional, evidence-based care. Visit in person, ask to meet with the care team and the administrator, request a detailed rundown of medication processes, and observe how staff interact with residents during activities and meals. A community may look beautiful and read as warm on the surface, but the deepest piece of reassurance comes from witnessing reliable care, clear communication, and a genuine commitment to both residents and their families.

Pharmacies

• Marc's Stores (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (5.5 miles)
• Marc's Stores (5.5 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (5.6 miles)
• Acme (5.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Hartville Kitchen (0.9 miles)
• Swensons Drive-In (5.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (6.2 miles)
• McDonald's (6.3 miles)
• Pav's Creamery in North Canton (7 miles)
• The Twisted Olive (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Hartville Memorial Park (0.4 miles)
• Diamond Community Park (4.7 miles)
• Ariss Park (5.2 miles)
• Dogwood Park (6.3 miles)
• Bors Field (6.8 miles)
• Schneider Community Park (6.8 miles)
• Southgate Park (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Roholt Vision Institute (5.5 miles)
• Akron Children's Hospital Pediatrics - Ellet (5.9 miles)
• The Office (6.1 miles)
• Akron Children's Hospital Pediatrics - Green (6.3 miles)
• Children's Hospital Physicians Associates (6.3 miles)
• Comprehensive Pain Management Specialists (6.4 miles)
• Spectrum (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Gary D Becker (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Christian Church (5.7 miles)
• Faith Family Church (6.1 miles)
• Grace United Methodist Church (6.8 miles)

Transportation

• Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.9 miles)
• Starbucks (9.1 miles)
• Ohio Roasting Company (9.3 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (7.7 miles)
• Tinseltown (8 miles)