Barnwell County Nursing Home

Pros

• The staff is absolutely wonderful, caring and genuinely loving toward their patients.
• All of the permanent residents are genuinely happy.
• The physical therapy staff, in particular Ms. Sarah and Ms. April, have an incredibly caring and loving manner toward the patients, as though they were treating their own family.
• Barnwell is awesome! Staff are friendly, nice and compassionate.
• Very nice place to leave your loved ones.
• Pruitt Barnwell has the most caring and dedicated staff to care for their residents.
• Pruitt Health Barnwell is an excellent facility in all areas with all personnel.
• Great place for your loved ones! They treat your family like their own.
• The staff has been outstanding in their knowledge and care during rehabilitation.

Cons

• Short-handed on CNA staff during the 2nd and night shifts, indicating staffing issues.
• The meals, especially the meat, need improvement as many residents cannot tolerate it and it is too tough for those with dentures.
• Not hearing great things about this place.
• There were reports of numerous bed sores and poor oral care and hygiene on arrival.
• It was suggested that CNAs be reminded to wash elderly patients with fragility (on blood thinners) more carefully.

Review

Behind the string of medical emergencies and long hospital stays, a single SNF stood out in the memory of a family searching for the right place to care for their 97-year-old mom after a devastating stroke. In December 2025, after battling a stroke, RSV, and double pneumonia, she spent three difficult months in the hospital before a transfer to a skilled nursing facility became the next crucial step in her recovery. The family had toured more than ten facilities within roughly a 70-mile radius, each leaving them more uneasy than reassured. Then they discovered Pruitt Health Barnwell, and what began as a cautious choice soon turned into a widely shared sense of relief and gratitude.

From the moment they walked into Barnwell, the family describes a palpable difference. The facility immediately conveyed cleanliness, organization, and a genuine atmosphere of care. The administrative team greeted them with warmth, and during their first tour they could feel and smell the difference in the environment - that something special and well-run existed here. What was striking wasn't just the presentation, but the lived experience they observed: residents who appeared happy and engaged, and staff who moved with purposeful kindness rather than routine efficiency. The group's daily visits - ten hours a day, nearly every day for a month - allowed them to see how the staff integrated into each patient's life, how care was coordinated, and how seriously the team took their responsibility to every individual under their roof.

A standout aspect of Barnwell, as reflected in several accounts, is the therapy team's approach. Among the staff, two names repeatedly surface with particular warmth: Ms. Sarah and Ms. April. The family notes that their approach to therapy felt less like clinical instruction and more like compassionate, patient-centered mentoring - almost as if they were treating their own family members. This tone of care translated into tangible progress for the mom. In a matter of days, she began to show meaningful improvements: increased mobility, the ability to eat regular meals rather than being sustained by tube or limited options, and the transition away from being bedridden to being able to walk to the bathroom and manage her own needs more comfortably. That turnaround, described as a direct result of the staff's dedication, became the anchor of the family's daily experience at Barnwell.

The broader sentiment from multiple family members and visitors is one of deep appreciation for the way Barnwell operates. They repeatedly emphasize that the facility feels like a close-knit, supportive community where staff are approachable, friendly, and genuinely invested in the residents' well-being. Ongoing communication stands out as a particular strength: families are kept informed about medical appointments and changes in care, with frequent updates that help them stay connected to their loved one's day-to-day status. The environment itself reinforces this sense of care - cleanliness, pleasant smells, and a constant sense that the residents are being looked after with kindness. The breadth of activities available means that residents who want to participate can do so, and many families describe their loved ones as enjoying visits and feeling part of a large, caring family.

Beyond the day-to-day care, the notes about Barnwell highlight a few recurring themes that temper the otherwise overwhelmingly positive picture. Some reviewers point to intermittent staffing challenges - specifically, the second shift and night CNA coverage - as an area where the facility could push for stronger staffing levels. Food consistency also comes up in a couple of observations: some residents struggle with the meals as currently prepared, particularly when it comes to meat texture and seasoning, and there's mention of dentures factoring into what residents can and cannot bite or chew comfortably. A few reviewers also raise concerns about specific incidents or aspects of care - such as reports of bed sores or hygiene issues raised in hospital communications and questions about the timeliness and clarity of information shared with families. One reviewer even notes being hesitant about overall impressions given mixed feedback elsewhere, underscoring that, while Barnwell is overwhelmingly praised, it is not without its critiques.

Taken together, the experiences shared about Pruitt Health Barnwell paint a portrait of a facility that stands out in its region for warmth, cleanliness, and a caregiving philosophy that centers on treating residents like family. The mom who found her way back to mobility and regular meals, the family that could rely on consistent and thoughtful updates, and the therapy team that brought a patient's progress within reach all contribute to a powerful narrative of hope and recovery. The few criticisms - around staffing coverage on certain shifts, dining quality, and occasional communication gaps - are real and worth attention, but they sit against a backdrop of high praise for a facility that appears to empower both residents and their families through compassionate care, strong teamwork, and a living commitment to making every day better for those who need it most. In a landscape of long-term care options, Barnwell emerges as a beacon for many families seeking a place where their loved one can heal, feel safe, and be treated with the respect and kindness they deserve.

This neighborhood in Barnwell, South Carolina, offers a range of convenient amenities for senior living. Within a short distance, there are hospitals such as PruittHealth and Barnwell County Hospital, as well as several physicians' offices including Barnwell Family Medicine and Healthwise Family Medicine. Pharmacies like Daniels Pharmacy and Good Neighbor Pharmacy are also easily accessible. Restaurants such as Anthony's Restaurant and Lounge and Mr B's provide dining options, while parks like Collins Park and Veteran's Memorial Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, places of worship like Second Baptist Church and Bethlehem Baptist Church are nearby for spiritual support. Transportation options include U-Haul Moving & Storage and the Barnwell County Airport for travel needs. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors to consider when choosing a place to live.

Hospitals

• PruittHealth (0.1 miles)
• Barnwell County Hospital (0.1 miles)

Physicians

• Barnwell Family Medicine (0.1 miles)
• Healthwise Family Medicine (0.1 miles)
• Barnwell Pediatrics PA (0.6 miles)
• Family Medical Center of Blackville (8.7 miles)
• Williston Family Practice (10.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Daniels Pharmacy of Barnwell (0.1 miles)
• Daniels'pharmacy Medical Equipment (0.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Berley's Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (8.7 miles)
• Walgreens (10.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Anthony's Restaurant and Lounge (0.4 miles)
• Mr B's (0.8 miles)
• The Hide Away Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Tacos Don Ramon (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• KFC (1.1 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Second Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• Bethlehem Baptist Church (0.7 miles)
• Allen St Church of God (0.7 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.7 miles)
• Greater Faith Ministries (0.7 miles)
• Hope Community Church of God-Barnwell (0.9 miles)
• Episcopal Church of The Holy Apostles Church Office (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Collins Park (0.8 miles)
• Veteran's Memorial Park (0.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.9 miles)
• Barnwell County Airport (BNL) (1.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.6 miles)
• Csx (13.6 miles)