3408 10 North 19Th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Christian Life Services
Pros
The place is great.- The reviewer says it is great.
Cons
They wouldn't put their dead dog there.- The facility is dirty, has no programs, only shared rooms, no nice people, and staff yell constantly.
- Patients are treated like garbage.
- There is theft by staff and patients.
- There are no locks on bathroom or shower doors; anyone can walk in on you, even in your room.
Review
Christian Life Services in Philadelphia is best suited for residents who want a faith-forward living environment and are comfortable with a straightforward, no-frills approach to care. The setting appears to emphasize communal life and shared spaces, appealing to families prioritizing affordability and a familiar religious culture over upscale amenities or highly individualized programming. This community can feel right for someone who values belonging to a faith-centered atmosphere and is willing to trade privacy or boutique services for a lower-cost, simpler lived experience.
Those who may want alternatives are clear: anyone whose priorities include strong safety measures, personal privacy, structured activities, and consistently professional staff. The most serious red flags come from reports of dirtiness, lack of programming, and doors that aren’t secure, which raises concerns about dignity and resident autonomy. For families focusing on proper resident rights, secure access, and transparent governance, other communities are likely to deliver more reliable protections and a more predictable daily routine.
Balancing the visible positives with the significant concerns, the pros appear to be unevenly distributed. Several five-star reviewers suggest there is a positive core to the community, whether it’s atmosphere, leadership, or a sense of belonging, yet those benefits aren’t described in concrete terms. The lone negative account, however, is stark: dirty conditions, no meaningful programs, staff who yell, and clear safety shortcomings including open access to rooms and bathrooms and alleged theft. In practical terms, the favorable experiences do not meaningfully offset the fundamental risks around hygiene, security, and respectful care.
For families evaluating this option, the vetting process must be rigorous. During tours, scrutinize cleanliness and odor, and confirm the availability of private rooms if desired. Observe staff interactions for tone and responsiveness, and insist on meeting a supervisor to discuss grievance handling and incident reporting. Demand documentation on safety measures, locks, controlled access, and staffing coverage after hours, and check whether there is a concrete, ongoing activity calendar and resident-engagement programs. Speak with current residents about daily routines, autonomy, and how dignity is preserved in day-to-day life.
If choosing to move forward with Christian Life Services, secure written commitments that address safety improvements, ongoing staff training, and predictable programming. Request a formal plan for handling incidents of theft or mistreatment, and ensure privacy protections are explicit and enforceable. If the commitments fall short, or if the facility cannot demonstrate measurable progress in cleanliness, security, and programming, be prepared to compare with nearby communities that offer stronger privacy, more robust activity schedules, and clear resident-rights protections. This decision deserves diligence rather than acceptance.
Overall, this community lands with an emphatic caveat: it is best for those who prize spiritual alignment, social connection, and affordability, and who can tolerate limited privacy and variable programming. For families with high expectations for privacy, safety, and proactive staff engagement, alternatives should be the default path. The broad mix of sentiment is underscored by a 4.2 out of 5 rating from five reviews, including four five-star voices and one strongly critical account. That spread signals a real variance in experiences; the prudent approach is a thorough, in-person assessment to determine whether the trade-offs align with the resident’s priorities. If not, a careful market comparison is essential to avoid compromising safety, dignity, or daily quality of life.
44 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Activities on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Devotional services off-site
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Philadelphia International (7 miles away)
24-hour call system
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
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