1 Bradley Foster Drive, Huntington, WV 25701
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Woodlands Retirement Community
Pros
The Woodlands is described as one of the best retirement communities and nursing homes, though it is expensive.- It is a beautiful place.
- The staff are outstanding, and the residents are described as treasures.
- Visitors report great things about living there, with breakfasts cooked to order.
- The facility offers top-notch amenities, including an in-house barber/beauty shop, in-house physical therapy, nursing staff, and an in-house clinic.
- Renovations have refreshed the rooms and created a pleasant atmosphere with well-maintained accommodations.
- The community provides abundant activities, such as musical programs, a choir, and holiday events with special meals.
Cons
Residents on the healthcare floor are basically housed like farm animals.- They are never taken outside the facility and often go to bed in dirty clothes, spending days staring at the wall.
- A nurse named Kim Taylor routinely withheld information about residents’ well-being from family members.
- Kim Taylor repeatedly failed to give residents the attention they needed.
- The aides on both floors allegedly get angry when families don’t spend extra money on outside caregivers.
- The facility tries to move residents to healthcare and sell their apartments as soon as the in-house doctor pronounces them unfit to live independently.
- The monthly rate for care increased by over $1,500 after reassessment.
Review
Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington, West Virginia is best suited for seniors who can comfortably sustain premium living expenses and want a vibrant, service-rich campus that offers both independent living and a thorough in-house care continuum. The community shines for families seeking frequent social engagement, top-tier on-site amenities, and ready access to nursing, physical therapy, and clinic services without leaving campus. For those who prize an upscale environment, robust dining, and a calendar packed with activities, from musical programs to holiday parties and on-site barber services, Woodlands delivers. It is especially appealing to residents who value being close to family, with ample opportunities to socialize and participate in a wide range of programs on a single, well-appointed campus.
Yet consideration should begin with finances and care trajectories. The most telling caveat across reviews is price. Several families signal that the overall cost is steep, and in at least one account, care level reassessment triggered a substantial monthly rate increase that pushed a resident to relocate to another facility. This emphasis on escalating costs, often tied to level of care, means Woodlands is less suitable for budget-conscious seniors or those uncertain about long-term affordability. In practice, prospective residents must not assume that the monthly price is fixed; a move toward “healthcare” can accelerate costs and complicate long-term financial planning.
On the care side, Woodlands offers a compelling on-site ecosystem: in-house nursing, therapy, a clinic, and a comprehensive dining program with meals that can be cooked to order in the mornings and regular holiday feasts. The facility’s recent renovations and ongoing improvements, new kitchens, refreshed rooms, support a contemporary, comfortable living environment. The quality of staff is repeatedly praised in favorable reviews, with residents and visitors describing the atmosphere as upbeat and the team as knowledgeable and friendly. For many families, the ability to access intimate care on campus reduces the stress of coordinating between multiple vendors and allows for more consistent oversight of a loved one’s routine.
However, not all care experiences align with the strongest positives. Several reviews raise concerns about staffing realities on the healthcare floors, including reports of a single nurse covering two floors and aides stretched thin, occasionally tied to tensions around paying for external caregiving. One especially troubling account alleges withheld information from families and a sense that residents on the healthcare side are treated poorly, described as being “housed like farm animals” and left in dirty clothes while waiting for attention. These voices, while not universal, highlight real risk spots: staffing ratios, communication, and the optics of moving a resident into higher levels of care. Odor in a shared space and relatively small rooms are additional factors some reviewers cite as drawbacks, suggesting that comfort and ambiance can vary by wing or unit.
Ultimately, the strongest upside, an active, engaging culture on a well-appointed campus, will offset the downsides for many, but only if the budget aligns with the trajectory of care needs. For families who value living in a dynamic community with ongoing enrichment, and who can absorb potential cost escalations without sacrificing other essentials, Woodlands represents a high-quality option that can deliver consistent day-to-day satisfaction and long-term convenience. For those who anticipate tight affordability, want strict fixed-rate budgeting, or prioritize individualized attention without the risk of rapid care-driven rate changes, it may be prudent to explore alternatives.
In making a decision, targeted questions matter. Clarify the current rate structure, what triggers increases, and whether caps are possible. Investigate staffing ratios on both assisted and healthcare floors, and ask to see a sample day that illustrates how activities, meals, and caregiving are scheduled. Seek transparent policies about accepting outside caregivers, transfer processes when care level rises, and how resident and family communication is managed if concerns arise. Finally, arrange a stay or a guided tour that includes the healthcare area to observe interactions firsthand, and request recent references from families with residents in similar care levels. Woodlands can be an excellent fit for the right family, one willing to invest in quality living and comprehensive campus-based care, but the decision must be anchored in a clear, sustainable financial plan and explicit expectations around care delivery.
88 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Independent Living
Memory Care
Respite Care
Air-conditioning
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Tri-State Walker-Long (5 miles away)
Community operated transportation
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
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