Retirement Centers of Arkansas

Pros

• The reviewer was pleased with the private room.
• The facility was considered a good option for semi-assisted living, despite being a bit pricey.

Cons

• The facility was in poor condition both inside and outside.
• There were bedbug problems.
• The place constantly smelled of urine.
• It was considered too pricey for semi-assisted living.
• A resident's room was narrow.
• Staff did not ensure residents received showers, haircuts, or nails trimmed.
• The facility should not be recommended for family members who need care.
• The building was old and drafty, described as aged before 1953.

Review

The set of experiences shared about this facility paints a picture of a place that some residents found acceptable in certain circumstances but ultimately problematic in fundamental ways. On the surface, the option offered a private room and a pathway into semi-assisted living that could work for someone needing limited help, and one reviewer even noted that the private room was a definite plus during the six months they lived there. The upside, according to that account, was the quiet of having a private space and the sense that it could be a decent fit for someone who doesn't require full-time, hands-on supervision. Yet the financial side stood out as a significant hurdle: the arrangement was described as pricey, even when framed as a reasonable choice for semi-assisted living.

Beneath the surface positives, the conditions inside and around the building drew sharp criticism. The reviews describe a building and surroundings that were not in good condition, both inside and out. The overall sense conveyed is one of wear and neglect rather than ongoing maintenance and modernization. This impression was reinforced by specific, distressing problems that repeatedly surfaced in the accounts: bedbugs and a persistent urine smell. These issues transformed what might have been a routine stay into a troubling experience for residents and their families, contributing to a growing sense that the facility did not meet basic standards of comfort and hygiene.

One particularly sobering thread comes from a story about an older adopted brother who lived there in a room that was described as narrow. The reviewer recounts that, despite the private setup, the environment was undermined by pest problems and an odor that made the place difficult to endure. The pain of the situation is intensified by the timing: they moved him out in 2017, and he passed away in November of that year. The implication is that the living conditions at the facility may have contributed to a deteriorating quality of life for someone who deserved attentive care. The account is careful to point out not only the structural and sanitary issues but also the gaps in routine care. The reviewer emphasizes that basic services - showers, haircuts, nails trimmed - were not reliably provided, and that even when a resident could walk with a wheelie walker, staff still fell short on essential personal care. The critique is blunt: a "poor excuse" is offered as an explanation for neglect, and the underlying message is that staff accountability and consistent caregiving did not meet expectations.

Financial details form a second major axis of concern. The room cost was cited as $1,300 per month, and this was on top of the fact that residents sometimes had to cover additional necessities like cable and internet. The financial burden becomes more troubling when paired with the reported lack of reliable basic care. The reviewers suggest a disconnect between what the facility charges and what residents actually receive in terms of daily support and hygiene maintenance. In other words, the price tag did not seem to guarantee the level of attention or the cleanliness standards one would expect from a living arrangement marketed as semi-assisted or supportive for those who need a degree of daily assistance.

Another thread from the reviews reflects a broader, lingering concern about the age and condition of the building. One reviewer explicitly notes that, in the past, they would not place a family member there, describing a place that once served as a junior high and later became a senior residence. The sentiment is that the building was old, drafty, and probably improved in some ways over time, but the core issue remained: it was too old and not well insulated from the elements. This sense is reinforced by the remark that the building was already old before the reviewer and their family moved in, with a specific reference to 1953 as a starting point for that aging timeline. The repetition of this theme by another reviewer - a confirmation that the structure's age and draftiness were persistent concerns - underscores a longstanding worry about whether the facility can ever truly offer a modern standard of comfort.

Taken together, these reviews present a nuanced but consistently wary portrait. On one hand, the facility appeared to offer a viable option for semi-assisted living through a private room and a community setting, with some residents appreciating the private space for a period of time. On the other hand, recurring problems with pests, odors, and inconsistent personal care raised serious questions about cleanliness, safety, and the reliability of staff to meet basic caregiving needs. The financial aspect - significant monthly costs without clear demonstrations of comprehensive care - further colored the overall assessment with a sense of imbalance between price and quality.

For families considering this place, the collective voice of these accounts urges caution. If care needs are ongoing or intensifying, these reviews suggest there may be unpredictable gaps in daily assistance and hygiene, not to mention enduring issues with the building's condition and environmental quality. The repeated concerns about bedbugs, urine odors, and insufficient personal care, coupled with a high monthly price tag, lead to a clear warning: this facility may not reliably meet the needs of someone who requires consistent, attentive care. Those evaluating options for loved ones would likely benefit from exploring alternatives that offer more robust upkeep, transparent caregiving standards, and a living environment that aligns more closely with modern expectations for health, safety, and comfort.

This part of North Little Rock, Arkansas offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. There are several dining options within a short distance, including Sonic Drive-In, McDonald's, and Whole Hog Cafe for convenience. Nearby pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens provide easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. Places of worship like That.Church and Park Hill Baptist Church offer spiritual support for seniors looking to maintain their faith. Quality healthcare facilities like Sherwood Family Medical Center and St Vincent Health System are located nearby for medical needs. Additionally, there are parks like Paradise Park and Riverfront Park for outdoor recreation opportunities. Overall, this area provides a combination of essential services and recreational options suitable for senior residents.

Restaurants

• Sonic Drive-In (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2 miles)
• On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• Whole Hog Cafe North Little Rock (3.4 miles)
• Subway (3.5 miles)
• Golden Corral (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Medicine Man Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Marshall Road Pharmacy (6.4 miles)
• Howard (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• That.Church (1.2 miles)
• Park Hill Baptist Church (4.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (6.7 miles)
• The Repairer Of The Breach Ministry (6.7 miles)
• Lee Joeng S (7 miles)
• First Assembly Of God (7.4 miles)

Physicians

• Sherwood Family Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Arkansas Psychotherapy Center (2.1 miles)
• Family Eye Clinic (2.2 miles)
• North Pulaski Diagnostic Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Orthopedic Specialists (2.9 miles)
• Hearing Life (3.4 miles)
• Lakewood Family Medicine Clinic (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• St Vincent Health System (2.8 miles)
• St Vincent Infirmary North (2.9 miles)
• Baptist Health Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• The BridgeWay (7 miles)
• Arkansas Surgical Hospital (7.3 miles)
• Arkansas Children's Hospital (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• Mccain Mall (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Paradise Park (5.8 miles)
• Dupree Park (6.1 miles)
• Burns Park (6.4 miles)
• Riverfront Park (7.2 miles)
• Allsopp Park (7.7 miles)

Cafes

• Mugs Cafe (6.5 miles)
• Fidel & Co. (7.4 miles)
• Starbucks (7.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (6.7 miles)