Pine Lodge Retirement Ctr

Pros

• The place is nice and the staff is terrific.
• They conquered the bed bug problem too.
• The staff is absolutely incredible.
• The Phase 2 staff and Janelle are absolutely amazing and always take great care of the residents.
• It's a great place to be settled for assisted living.

Cons

• The facility is infested with bed bugs.
• The meals are of poor quality, described as repetitive and akin to dog food.
• The owner, Linda, is described as absolutely horrible and disrespectful to families.
• The rent is exorbitant, consuming most residents' monthly income with no cost-of-living adjustments.
• The rent is not reported to credit reporting agencies, hindering residents' ability to build credit and gain independence.
• The facility will involve police for residents who use drugs, fight, or steal, which is harsh.
• Residents may still require family support for basic needs, indicating limited independence.

Review

Several reviews describe a place that can feel quiet and welcoming at first, offering a peaceful environment for long-term living. One person notes five years of calm and stability, pointing to a site that is nice to look at and a staff that is terrific. They describe the overall vibe as Christian or non-denominational with only a few rules to follow, and they acknowledge a decent, if not exceptional, standard of meals. A recurring thread is that the staff and the atmosphere can be genuinely positive, and the facility has managed to address a bed bug problem that had been a major concern in the past.

Beyond the initial sense of peace and care, there is a strong emphasis on financial and administrative concerns. A reviewer laments that the facility seems to extract nearly all of a resident's monthly income for rent, leaving only a small amount - about 30 dollars a month - without any adjustments for cost-of-living changes. They describe the legal framework as outdated and in need of modernization, suggesting that the rent structure is out of step with current standards. Another point raised is that stable rent isn't reported to credit reporting agencies, a detail that could hinder an extended stay from building revolving credit and potentially affect a resident's ability to achieve independence later on.

The financial and administrative questions extend into how the facility interacts with credit and independence. The same reviewer notes that extended stays may stunt the development of independent living because there's little opportunity to develop or maintain revolving credit on credit reports. They also suggest that residents who have special needs - such as needing snacks or cigarettes - may still rely on family support to navigate these gaps. In short, while the living environment may provide stability, there is a sense that financial arrangements and reporting practices could complicate a resident's long-term path to autonomy.

Safety and risk management emerge as a nuanced concern. One reviewer acknowledges that if a person has good coping skills and isn't inclined to trouble, the place can be a solid settlement for assisted living. However, for someone deemed a potential risk, they advise looking for something more independent, since the staff are portrayed as quick to involve police if drugs, fights, or theft are involved. The underlying message is that the facility prioritizes safety and order, but that approach may constrain residents who require more autonomy or who have behavioral or safety concerns.

There are candid, specific testimonials about the staff that cut both ways. A reviewer concedes that the staff aren't perfect, but they emphasize that the staff are absolutely incredible overall. Another reviewer amplifies that sentiment, especially praising certain staff members - Phase 2 staff and a person named Janelle - for their attentive care and dedication. By contrast, the same narrative includes a sharp critique of the owner, Linda, describing her as horrible and rude, with a sense of disregard or disrespect toward families of residents. The contrasting views about staff versus leadership illustrate a mixed-experience dynamic: compassionate, capable frontline care on one hand, and, for some, a frustrating or antagonistic administrative tone on the other.

A particularly pointed personal account centers on a resident's family experience. The reviewer recalls placing their mother-in-law there, who eventually passed away, and describes an alarming situation with bed bugs that left the family unable to keep belongings without the risk of spreading infestation. They harshly critique the meals as well, calling them comparable to dog food and lamenting that the meals rarely change. Yet even within this strongly negative frame, there is a note of relief about certain staff members in Phase 2 and the care they provided to residents. The reviewer reiterates their distrust of the owner, Linda, labeling her as abandoningly disrespectful toward families, and concludes with a stark warning to others to avoid the facility to spare themselves the headaches.

In short, the impressions are mixed but consistently vivid. Supportive, dedicated frontline staff and a peaceful, community-oriented atmosphere coexist with serious concerns about bed bug infestations past and present, questionable financial practices, limited opportunities to build credit and independence, and contentious leadership. For families and potential residents, the message is nuanced: there can be genuine warmth and high-quality caregiving in the everyday interactions, but there are significant caveats related to safety, administration, and long-term financial and independence planning. The strongest takeaway is that personal experience will likely hinge on which staff members are involved and how the facility's administrative policies are applied in practice.

Barling, Arkansas is a quaint town with a variety of amenities catering to seniors. Within close proximity, there are several dining options including Sonic Drive-In, Sam's Southern Eatery, and Hideaway Pizza. Medical care is easily accessible with RVPCS-Eastside Family Clinic and Family Medical Clinic nearby. There are also pharmacies such as MediSav Homecare Pharmacy and Walmart Pharmacy for convenience. For spiritual nourishment, you can visit the Rock Church Of Fort Smith or Masjid Al Salam. In terms of leisure activities, Vache Grasse Public Use Area offers a peaceful outdoor retreat. Overall, Barling provides a comfortable and convenient environment for senior living with essential services in close reach.

Restaurants

• Sonic Drive-In (0.4 miles)
• Sam's Southern Eatery (1.3 miles)
• Fort Smith Brewing Company (1.5 miles)
• Hideaway Pizza (2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2.2 miles)
• Wendy's (2.2 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• RVPCS-Eastside Family Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Family Medical Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Eric E. Drolshagen, MD (1.5 miles)
• Primary Care Associates (2 miles)
• Dr. James E Kelly III (2.3 miles)
• River Valley Musculoskeletal Center (2.3 miles)
• Eastside Florist (2.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• MediSav Homecare Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Harp's Food Stores (2.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• Psg (5.4 miles)
• MediSav Homecare Pharmacy (5.9 miles)
• Harps Pharmacy (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Rock Church Of Fort Smith (1.9 miles)
• GenesisConference (5.5 miles)
• Masjid Al Salam (5.7 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• On-Line Shopping Store (4.8 miles)
• Dewey's Cafe (5.8 miles)

Hospitals

• St Edward Mercy Medical Center (3 miles)
• St Edward Mercy Health System (3 miles)
• Baptist Health Foot And Ankle Clinicfort Smith Fort Smith (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Vache Grasse Public Use Area (4.5 miles)