Arizona State Veteran Home

Pros

• The staff are caring, compassionate, and highly competent.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and well maintained.
• The care provided to residents is consistently compassionate and respectful.
• The administration and front desk staff are pleasant, helpful, and professional.
• The center offers engaging activities and keeps residents active and involved.
• The veterans' nursing home is regarded as a top-notch facility for veterans.
• Families report that staff treat residents like family, with kindness and dignity.
• The security personnel contribute to a safe, orderly environment.
• The overall atmosphere is described as outstanding and reassuring for families.
• The staff ensure residents stay clean, well-groomed, and well-cared-for.
• The care team on units like D2 are especially praised for excellence.

Cons

• They claim patient care is substandard and that caregivers come and go like water.
• They note their loved one had multiple ICU stays for severe UTIs and that staff rarely helped her.
• They state their mother is one of five residents who have died there due to Covid.
• They describe a CNA as cold and rude to their father, and say he hurts him when lifting.
• They report waiting a week for their mother's belongings and say no one has accepted responsibility for the loss.
• They say the cubicles are too small and residents feel cramped.

Review

Across a chorus of impressions about the Arizona State Veterans Home, one consistent thread stands out: a culture of deeply devoted staff who often go above and beyond to support residents and their families. Review after review highlights caring, respectful, and competent teams where many individuals are repeatedly singled out for their kindness and professionalism. Families describe staff as the heart of the facility, delivering warmth and attention in ways that truly impact daily life for veterans and their loved ones.

Within this landscape of praise, certain staff members become especially memorable. In the C2 unit, Robyn - the head nurse - receives frequent mentions as a paragon of care, compassion, and responsibility. Families describe her as the kind of professional who deserves recognition, almost like a saint in how she handles end-of-life care and day-to-day needs with a steady, empathetic hand. The front desk is also noted for its approachable, reassuring presence, with Richard the security guard called a great man who contributes to a sense of safety and welcome. In many accounts, the staff's attentiveness - whether in answering questions, coordinating activities, or simply greeting visitors with a smile - forms a reassuring backbone for families navigating challenging situations.

The facility is often praised for its ability to combine a dignified living environment with substantive care. Residents and families frequently commend the cleanliness of the facility, the high standard of care for those who have served the country, and the opportunities for engagement that help residents stay connected and involved. Several reviews highlight the D2 unit for its capable nursing staff and the positive atmosphere fostered by a team that is described as both professional and genuinely caring. The presence of ongoing activities, church services, and regular check-ins helps create a sense of purpose and community, particularly for residents managing dementia or other long-term needs. For many veterans and their families, this combination of respect, activity, and consistent attention makes the home feel like a supportive extension of family life.

The Arizona State Veterans Home also earns praise for its effectiveness as a place for rehabilitation and recovery. One resident shares a personal experience of recovering from a cardiac surgery in unit D2, noting good staff support and meals, with a wish for larger cubicles - a practical observation rather than a moral judgment. The sentiment here is that the facility can be an incredibly stabilizing environment where rehabilitation is prioritized, residents are kept engaged, and families are reassured by regular contact and clear communication. The overall tone is that, for many, this is a nurturing setting where veterans receive care that respects their history and dignity while promoting recovery and well-being.

Yet the picture is not uniformly rosy. Several reviews describe a reality in which the facility operates as a hospice for many residents, with some indicating that end-of-life care is a dominant facet of the experience. One reviewer explicitly characterizes the home as a hospice rather than a traditional long-term care setting, noting restricted movement for residents, limited opportunities for personal autonomy, and a perception that patient care can be suboptimal or inconsistent as staff turnover occurs. In another account, the patient is described as having limited activity and a perception that caregivers come and go, which contributes to a sense of impermanence and uncertainty for families. These voices emphasize that expectations may differ depending on whether a resident's stay focuses on rehabilitation, long-term care, or end-of-life support, and they call for careful communication about the level and quality of care in each situation.

The most serious concerns center on safety, accountability, and the handling of sensitive circumstances. A number of reviews detail heartbreaking experiences related to Covid-19 losses among residents, with one family noting that their loved one was among several who passed away during a pandemic period. Relatedly, there are painful complaints about delays and a lack of accountability for missing belongings and other post-death or post-discharge issues, with families reporting weeks of running in circles as they seek resolution. The gravity of these reports underscores the necessity of transparent processes, timely communication, and compassionate follow-through when families are already navigating grief and worry.

In addition to broader systemic concerns, some individual experiences reflect interactions that were difficult to endure. One review describes a negative encounter with a CNA who was perceived as cold and negligent, raising concerns about physical handling and the overall treatment of a resident who cannot walk independently. While these accounts are isolated within a larger body of mostly positive feedback, they serve as important reminders that even in highly regarded facilities, there must be constant attention to staff training, empathy, and patient-centered care. Conversely, other families note that administration can be helpful and that staff members greet visitors warmly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere that supports trust and ongoing engagement.

Taken together, the stories about the Arizona State Veterans Home reveal a complex, living tapestry: a place where many veterans and their families find remarkable solace, dignity, and joy through compassionate caregiving, structured activities, and a strong sense of community. At the same time, they remind us that care settings are nuanced environments where quality can vary by unit, shift, and individual, and where end-of-life realities, safety concerns, and accountability must be addressed with the seriousness they deserve. For families considering this home, the message is clear: you will encounter outstanding, heart-led care from many staff members, yet it remains essential to seek out comprehensive, candid information about the level of care in the specific unit, and to advocate for timely communication and continuous improvement across all aspects of the resident's experience.

This part of Phoenix, Arizona, offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With several hospitals and pharmacies in close proximity, residents can easily access medical care and services. There are also a variety of dining options, from fast food chains to sit-down restaurants, as well as cafes for leisurely meals or socializing. For those looking to stay active, there are parks nearby for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the area is home to places of worship for spiritual support and community engagement. Overall, this neighborhood provides convenience, accessibility, and a sense of community for seniors looking to live comfortably in Phoenix.

Hospitals

• Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center, Recreation Therapy (0.1 miles)
• St Josephs Neurological ICU (1.2 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital & Med Center: Deguzman Brian J MD (1.3 miles)
• Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix (2.4 miles)
• Abrazo Central Campus (2.8 miles)
• Surgical Specialty Hospital Of Arizona (3 miles)
• Maricopa Medical Center (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• George & Dragon Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Kobalt (1.1 miles)
• Windsor (1.2 miles)
• Federal Pizza (1.2 miles)
• Del Taco (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Lux Central (0.4 miles)
• Dark Hall Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Fair Trade Cafe (2.7 miles)
• Lola Coffee (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Arizona Eye Specialists (0.7 miles)
• Phoenix Skin Medical Surgical Group (1 miles)
• SimonMed Imaging - Phoenix (1.4 miles)
• Dignity Health Peppertree Family Medicine (1.4 miles)
• Keystone Natural Family Medicine (1.5 miles)
• Banner Family Medicine Center (2.4 miles)
• Bethany Women’s Healthcare (4.5 miles)

Transportation

• Thomas/Central Ave METRO (1.2 miles)
• METRO McDowell/Central Ave (2.3 miles)
• Airport Rent-A-Car (4 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church of Phoenix (1.4 miles)
• Roosevelt Community Church (2.7 miles)
• Primera Iglesia United Methodist Church (3.9 miles)
• Open Door Fellowship Church (4.6 miles)
• Christ Church of the Ascension (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Encanto Park (2.2 miles)
• Margaret T. Hance Park (2.5 miles)
• Granada Park (3.1 miles)
• Royal Palm Park (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Arizona Center 24 (3 miles)