Walnut Grove Living Ctr

Pros

• The facility was clean, the staff were friendly, and residents looked well taken care of.
• The staff cared about patients and did their best to take care of them, with many activities offered throughout the week.
• Walnut Grove had professional, kind, and attentive staff, a clean and attractive environment, and a pleasant ambience.
• The reviewer would highly recommend the facility for excellent care.
• The father-in-law received attentive care and was kept updated on health changes.
• The staff and administrators were noted for their care and dedication.

Cons

• The reviewer reported bed bugs at Walnut Grove.
• OTC medications were taken away on admission and not returned at discharge.
• The north outdoor area was dominated by smokers who refused to stop smoking around non-smokers.
• Most staff were indifferent, with only some being pleasant.
• Pages from residents requesting help were not promptly answered, making it hard to get assistance.
• Bathing occurred infrequently, often around 2?3 a.m., instead of every two days.
• Caregivers were not consistently attentive while residents were eating or being fed.
• There were reports of bedbugs, mistreatment of patients, and long delays in basic needs like access to water for a wheelchair-bound resident.
• Clothing and personal items were misplaced or stolen, with little to no investigation or recovery.
• The administrator Wanetta was described as unprofessional and rude, with allegations of theft; some reviewers urged not to place a loved one there.

Review

The collection of experiences people shared about Walnut Grove (and the related Willow Oaks reference) paints a picture of a facility that can feel clean and welcoming on good days, yet fall short in critical areas on others. Several reviewers described first impressions that matched the best kind of elder-care setting: the building was spotless, the environment was attractive, and the ambience encouraged socializing. They noted well-maintained spaces, a pleasant vibe, and staff who were friendly and courteous in routine interactions. For some families, that initial impression was reinforced by visible, attentive care and by activities clustered throughout the day, which helped residents stay engaged.

There are, however, substantial caveats attached to many accounts. A number of reviewers highlighted serious safety, hygiene, and management concerns that overshadowed any positive moments. One visitor recounted leaving Walnut Grove only to discover bed bugs on their belongings, accompanied by a string of worrying issues: missing personal items (a bath sheet, a collared shirt, and a king-size pillowcase despite clear name labeling), and a policy that required surrendering OTC medications upon admission with assurances they would be returned at discharge - items they never received. This account also described a common-area on the north side that devolved into a smokers' zone, with non-smokers repeatedly exposed to smoke. On the service side, the paging system was criticized as unreliable, leaving residents in need without timely assistance, including when help was needed to reach the bathroom.

The negative feedback did not stop there. Several reviews pointed to inconsistent care practices and staff performance that ranged from intermittently pleasant to outright indifferent. Complaints about infrequent baths - described as occurring perhaps only once a week rather than the expected every two days - were paired with anecdotes about late or irregular showers (often around 2?3 a.m. for those who were taken to the shower). There were reports suggesting that front-d desk interactions could be friendly, yet other staff members did not demonstrate the same level of attentiveness, especially to residents who required hands-on help. One reviewer suggested that while some staff were kind, the majority appeared indifferent, and the overall tone suggested a facility where genuine attentiveness to vulnerable residents could be inconsistent.

Among the most troubling elements were allegations of mismanagement and outright misconduct. A number of entries described situations where residents or their families felt neglected or disrespected, including claims that staff did not respond promptly to needs, and that essential routines and safety measures were not reliably followed. The most alarming charges centered on perceived administrative wrongdoing: one reviewer labeled the administrator Wanetta as unprofessional and rude to patients, staff, and visitors, and alleged that she stole a check belonging to a family member. Another post asserted that the administrator had a loved one removed from the facility without prior notice. These accounts, whether corroborated or not by independent verification, contribute to a sense of mistrust and raise questions about the facility's governance and accountability.

The reviews also highlighted specific, distressing incidents that seriously impacted families' trust. In October 2022, several individuals described bed bugs reappearing in the facility, and there were reports of mis-treatment of patients in conjunction with difficult experiences for residents who could not easily access basics like water. One account described a veteran in a wheelchair being unable to reach the chow hall for a drink, requiring a visitor to intervene - an experience that left the reviewer with a stark judgment about whether a facility that houses veterans is truly prepared to meet their needs with dignity.

For some families, the most painful memories involved long-term residents and the deterioration of everyday dignity. A grandmother's stay during the COVID lockdown included a two-week quarantine in her room without opportunity for mobility assistance; her arthritis and weakened hands severely limited her ability to manage bathroom needs, and waits could stretch to 30 minutes. Clothing was reportedly not tracked properly, with her grandmother sometimes placed in unfamiliar garments, and there were numerous items described as stolen with little to no resolution. These elements - prolonged isolation, delayed basic care, and mismanagement of personal belongings - left a lasting impression of a facility where safety and respect for residents' possessions and routines were not consistently safeguarded.

On the other hand, not all reviews were entirely negative about every facility in this context. One family shared a deeply positive experience, describing how their mother received care and dignity during her rehab stay after surgery; they appreciated the ongoing communication about health changes and the overall approach to rehabilitation. Another account lauded Willow Oaks (which may refer to a separate facility or a different wing or partner site) for being clean, with a caring staff, and for activities that included birthday and holiday celebrations. The writer emphasized that the staff and administrators contributed to a supportive environment and that they would recommend the facility to others.

Taken together, the reviews present a broad spectrum of experiences. There are clear successes - clean facilities, friendly interactions, meaningful daily activities, and examples of compassionate, attentive care that families can point to with gratitude. At the same time, there are numerous, compelling warnings about bed bugs, medication-handling lapses, missing belongings, inconsistent bathing schedules, slow or unreliable assistance calls, and troubling allegations about the administration. The divergent narratives suggest a facility that can be well-run in some circumstances and severely lacking in others, depending on factors that may include staff coverage, leadership, and day-to-day operations.

For families considering Walnut Grove (or Willow Oaks) for a loved one, these reviews underscore the importance of due diligence. Visiting in person, asking pointed questions about pest control, medication handling, clothing tracking, and how staff respond to emergency calls, and requesting up-to-date information about the administrator's expectations and anti-theft procedures could be crucial steps. It may also be helpful to speak with multiple residents and families about consistency in care, and to request examples of how the facility handles urgent needs, mobility assistance, and communication with families. The best path is to gather current, specific information, corroborate experiences where possible, and weigh these findings against personal expectations for safety, dignity, and quality of life in care settings.

This part of McAlester, Oklahoma offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With several physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies within a few miles, residents can easily access healthcare services. There are also various restaurants and cafes nearby for dining options, as well as parks for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Places of worship are available for spiritual enrichment, and transportation options such as the local airport and U-Haul rental service make it easy to travel when needed. Overall, this area provides a range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and supportive community to call home.

Physicians

• Choctaw Nation Health Center (0.3 miles)
• Kidz Choice PC (1.1 miles)
• Kennedy Eyecare (1.6 miles)
• Medical Clinic of McAlester (1.9 miles)
• Dr F E Smith Optometry (2 miles)
• Augter Gary DO (2 miles)
• McAlester Imaging Associates (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Steak 'n Shake (0.3 miles)
• Jimmy's Egg (0.7 miles)
• Braum's (1 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.1 miles)
• Hunan Chinese Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Arby's (1.2 miles)
• Denny's (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Drug Warehouse (1.7 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (1.8 miles)
• Ace Medical (2.2 miles)
• Wood's Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Omg Dispo Mcalester (3.3 miles)
• Cal Drug (11.3 miles)

Parks

• Chadick Park (1.8 miles)
• Arrowhead Park Maintenance BRN (20.3 miles)

Cafes

• Fat Boys Pizza (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• McAlester Regional Airport (MLC) (2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.1 miles)
• Union Pacific Railroad Co. (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cornelius House (2.1 miles)
• Tabernacle Praise & Worship Center (2.2 miles)
• McAlester First UMC (2.3 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (2.3 miles)
• Frink Baptist Church (2.3 miles)
• Grace United Methodist Church (2.5 miles)
• Newlife 313 Church (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Carl Albert Mental Health Center (2.3 miles)
• McAlester Ambulatory Surgery Center (2.5 miles)
• MRHC Foundation (2.5 miles)
• McAlester Regional Health Center (2.5 miles)
• Latimer County General Hospital (24.7 miles)