Golden Living Center Watertown

Pros

• The staff at Avantara were amazing - kind, compassionate, caring, and professional.
• He recovered enough to travel home to Missouri after rehab.
• Avantara provided the best care the reviewer had in sixty years.
• The rehab and care for the reviewer's mother were fantastic, making the long-term care decision much easier.
• The staffing ratios, the food, the atmosphere, and the excellent care made the decision easy.
• The food, nurses, and aides were very nice and the facility was clean.
• The PT department and staff are highly recommended.
• The facility is described as very nice, clean, and friendly with great people.

Cons

• They treat residents more like objects or someone slow.
• The behavior is disgusting.

Review

When a car show trip in Watertown led to an unexpected medical crisis, the path through Prairie Lakes Hospital and into Avantara Watertown Rehab became a turning point for recovery. The care team at Avantara was consistently described as amazing - kind, compassionate, caring, and professional in every interaction. The patient's progress was steady enough that he was able to travel back to Missouri, where he continues his rehabilitation in a facility there. Grateful families repeatedly emphasized the high level of attention and expertise that helped him regain strength and mobility during that crucial post-surgery period.

Not every experience is identical, and one family expressed a sobering counterpoint. They spoke of a troubling visit where they felt the residents were treated more like objects or people slow to respond, a stark contrast to the warmth and professionalism praised elsewhere. The sentiment echoed a broader reminder that, even in the best facilities, the dignity and humanity of every resident must remain front and center. It serves as a cautionary note to continually strive for the respectful, human-centered care that many family members described in their most positive moments with Avantara.

Several reviewers highlighted Avantara's excellence across multiple hospital stays and care episodes, underscoring that the facility provided the best care they had experienced in many years. One stroke of favorable hindsight came from someone who had endured several hospitalizations and came away with an unequivocal recommendation: Avantara is a place you would not hesitate to return to, and one that they would highly endorse without question. The overarching message was clear: consistency in compassionate, attentive care can make a profound difference in both outcomes and peace of mind for patients and their families.

A particularly resonant testimony came from a family whose mother spent October through December 2024 at Avantara Watertown after a severe auto accident. They described the rehab and ongoing care as fantastic and noted that, because of the excellent care, they chose to transition their mom into long-term care at Avantara. The deciding factors included favorable staffing ratios, good food, a welcoming atmosphere, and the overall quality of care that gave the family confidence in the ongoing well-being of their loved one. That level of trust and satisfaction became the basis for a broader commitment to keep Avantara as a home for long-term care when necessary.

Other voices added to the mosaic, with glowing remarks about the everyday environment: great food, nurses and aides who helped wherever possible, and a consistently clean facility. The sentiment was that the staff's readiness to assist, their kindness, and the clean, orderly surroundings contributed to a positive experience for residents and their families. It wasn't just about clinical outcomes; it was about feeling understood, supported, and respected in a setting that prioritized comfort and dignity.

Several testimonials crystallized into simple, heartfelt praise: Avantara took great care of a spouse, and the gratitude was palpable - there was an explicit message that one could not ask for better nursing home care, accompanied by thanks for the comfort and concern shown by the staff. Short, but powerful, these lines captured the emotional weight of trusting a facility with a loved one's daily needs, safety, and comfort. The warmth of appreciation rang through multiple affirmations that the team makes a genuine difference in people's lives.

A final cluster of remarks reinforced the enduring value of Avantara's services beyond the inpatient stay. One person called the facility "a very nice, clean, and friendly nursing facility," reflecting on a past knee replacement and an ongoing relationship with the center's physical therapy department. They noted that they are now returning for outpatient physical therapy on a shoulder after a rotator cuff surgery and would readily recommend the PT department and the staff. The speaker also expressed a willingness to continue using Avantara for any future PT needs and to recommend the facility for nursing care in general, underscoring the lasting trust built through consistent, high-quality care.

Located in Watertown, South Dakota, this area offers a mix of amenities that cater to a variety of needs for senior living. With multiple places of worship nearby, including Hosannah Lutheran Church and Trinity Episcopal Church, residents have access to spiritual support and community involvement. The proximity to restaurants such as Dagwood's Subs and Waverly Steakhouse & Lounge provide convenient dining options, while nearby healthcare facilities like Meier Visual Clinic and Prairie Lakes Cancer Center ensure easy access to medical services. Parks like Dog Park H2Otown offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, and cafes like Gather provide spaces for socializing. Additionally, transportation options like Premiere Auto Rentals and U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer make it easy to get around the area. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living situation in Watertown.

Places of Worship

• Hosannah Lutheran Church (0 miles)
• Presbyterian Church of Watertown (0.4 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.4 miles)
• Trinity Episcopal Church (0.5 miles)
• International Church of The Foursquare Gospel (0.5 miles)
• First Congregational Ucc (0.6 miles)
• Congregational Church (0.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Dagwood's Subs (0.2 miles)
• Subway (0.3 miles)
• Waverly Steakhouse & Lounge (0.5 miles)
• Dempsey S Brewery (0.5 miles)
• Lounge (0.5 miles)
• Watertown Brewing Co. (0.5 miles)
• Terry's Hot Rod Lounge (0.5 miles)

Physicians

• Meier Visual Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Prairie Lakes Cancer Center (0.8 miles)
• Evelio Garcia MD (0.8 miles)
• Snyder Eye Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics - Michael J Vener MD (0.8 miles)
• Crismon Craig E MD - Brown Clinic PLLP (0.9 miles)
• Advanced Hearing Technology (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Dog Park H2Otown (0.5 miles)
• Highland Park (0.6 miles)
• Sandy Shore Recreation Area (0.8 miles)
• Oakwood Lakes State Park (1.9 miles)
• Pelican Lake State Recreation Area (17.6 miles)

Cafes

• Gather (0.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Scotters Coffee (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Health Mart Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Brown Clinic Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Prairie Lakes Campus Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• HyVee Pharmacy (1.3 miles)

Transportation

• Premiere Auto Rentals (0.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.2 miles)
• Delta Connection (2.9 miles)
• Watertown Regional Airport (2.9 miles)
• Budget Car Rental (2.9 miles)
• Gus's Taxidermy (14.8 miles)
• Burlington Northern Railroad (17.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Sanford Health Acute Care Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic (0.8 miles)

Theaters

• Odyssey Grand 8 Theater (1.4 miles)