Aldrich's Community Care Home in North Augusta, SC

Pros

• The staff were wonderful and consistently showed kindness to residents and families.
• Kristen was very nice and friendly, making the family feel good about the care.
• The nurses and aides are professional and attentive, prioritizing residents' well-being.
• Valerie the CNA is amazing.
• Kearra Grate answered questions with ease and was a blessing and a sweetheart.
• Rosemarie, Jimmy, Braylen, and Meesha are standouts, always smiling and willing to help.
• The facility is modern, well-maintained, with spacious, clean rooms and comfortable living spaces.
• The activity department is fantastic, and Mary Kelly was an encourager who helped residents feel capable.
• The Pepper Hill staff are knowledgeable, helpful, and kind.
• The care team at Pepper Hill delivers care that can feel like family to patients.

Cons

• The facility is one of the worst rehabilitation centers ever.
• Staff lost every piece of clothing for the patient, forcing family to buy replacements.
• The patient's hand-sewn stuffed toy went missing.
• The service was horrible and patients were abused.
• Care was sometimes below par.
• A patient fell due to lack of proper wedge support and wheelchair protection.
• There was a poor phone system; there are no in-room phones and staff are hard to reach.
• Residents were left in urine-stained clothing and soiled beds for long periods.
• The facility was grossly understaffed, with patient neglect and abuse reported.

Review

Aldrich's Community Care Home is best suited for families seeking a rehab-forward environment where ongoing advocacy and hands-on involvement can drive meaningful progress. It rewards residents who can participate in daily therapy, engage with staff, and stay closely connected to a care plan. This is not a hands-off facility; success hinges on persistent family oversight, timely escalation of concerns, and regular follow-through with front-line caregivers and administrators. For residents who require unwavering, fail-safe medical oversight, consistently clean conditions, and predictable daily routines, this community is not the ideal match.

Alternatives deserve consideration for families prioritizing reliability, transparency, and consistently strong environments. Pepper Hill often earns praise for its dedicated staff and a culture of warmth, with families feeling supported and informed. Aiken Rehab appears in reviews as a well-regarded option when steady staffing and prompt attention are valued, offering a more consistently managed rehab and care flow. The pattern across these notes suggests Aldrich's can function well with rigorous oversight, but without that oversight, families may encounter the same recurring concerns that have driven others to look elsewhere.

Pros exist where staff engagement is genuine and patient relationships are cultivated. When nurses, CNAs, and therapists bring attentiveness, questions are answered, and care plans are followed, residents experience real value. The most compelling positive reviews highlight staff members who treat residents with dignity, encourage participation in activities, and demonstrate a sincere commitment to rehabilitation goals. In those moments, the care environment feels supportive, and residents can make tangible strides toward returning home or maintaining independence.

Yet the cons carry substantial weight. Reports of understaffing, inconsistent responsiveness, and uneven quality create a backdrop of anxiety for families. Cleanliness and maintenance issues recur in several accounts, with concerns about room conditions, equipment upkeep, and general hygiene. Critical lapses - missed medications, delayed pain control, questions about oxygen management, and gaps in timely communication with loved ones - undermine daily safety and trust. Instances of patients being left unattended or improperly dressed, along with equipment left in unsafe locations, point to systemic vulnerabilities beyond isolated missteps.

Balancing the positives against the negatives, the strongest case for Aldrich's rests on the few consistently devoted staff members and on rehab services that can deliver real gains with active oversight. For families willing to demand rigorous care plans, frequent updates, and clear escalation routes, the favorable elements can offset many rough edges. However, the breadth and severity of the cons - particularly staffing gaps, cleanliness concerns, and inconsistent responsiveness - mean the facility cannot guarantee safe, dignified care without vigilant advocacy. In practical terms, it can work for a motivated family, but it will not satisfy those seeking a largely hands-off, consistently flawless experience.

Practical decision guidance centers on a rigorous due-diligence process. Visit with a sharp checklist focused on safety, cleanliness, and reliability; review the latest state inspection results; and press for current staffing ratios by shift, plus turnover data. Meet the administrator and front-line supervisors to gauge accountability and transparency, especially around incident handling and family communication. Observe rooms and common areas for cleanliness, confirm that essential hygiene tasks are consistently completed, and test the responsiveness of the nursing station during a live interaction. For rehab, obtain a clear picture of equipment availability, therapist schedules, and documented progress. If assurances on these fronts are not forthcoming, serious consideration should be given to Pepper Hill or Aiken Rehab, facilities that more reliably align dignity, safety, and demonstrable results.

This part of North Augusta, South Carolina offers convenient access to a variety of essential amenities for seniors. With multiple pharmacies such as Walmart Pharmacy, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy within a short driving distance, residents can easily fulfill their medication needs. There are also several dining options nearby including Monterrey Restaurante Mexicano and Chick-Fil-A for enjoyable meals out. For healthcare services, there are reputable physicians' offices like Center For Primary Care and specialized clinics like Hanger Clinic for Prosthetics & Orthotics. Additionally, the area boasts proximity to quality hospitals such as University Hospital and Children's Hospital Of Georgia for comprehensive medical care. Parks like Riverview Park Activities Center provide opportunities for leisurely outdoor activities. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with accessible amenities that cater to the needs of senior residents.

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Monterrey Restaurante Mexicano (1.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)
• Diablos (1.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.6 miles)
• Zaxby's (1.6 miles)
• Burger King (1.6 miles)
• Wingstop (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)

Physicians

• Center For Primary Care (1.9 miles)
• Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (2 miles)
• Christ Community Center (2.5 miles)
• Hanger Clinic: Prosthetics & Orthotics (3.3 miles)
• Medex Associates (3.4 miles)
• Augusta Arthritis Center (3.4 miles)
• Augusta Developmental Specialists (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Riverview Park Activities Center (3.3 miles)
• Eisenhower Park (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Univetsity Hospital POB II (3.5 miles)
• University Hospital (3.6 miles)
• University Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute (3.7 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital Augusta (3.8 miles)
• Children's Hospital Of Georgia (3.8 miles)
• Charlie Norwood VA Hospital Augusta (3.8 miles)
• Georgia Cancer Center (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• GTC Riverwatch 12 Cinemas (5.2 miles)