Liberty Estates of Carbondale

Pros

• The environment is nice and clean, the food is good, and the staff are attentive and cordial.
• The facility is beautiful and kept very clean.
• The nurses are fine and the aides are remarkable.
• Becky in social services is helpful and kind.
• Rehab is outstanding and a jewel of the facility.
• The Bounce Back therapists in Rehab are really good, and residents receive many hours of therapy from excellent physical therapists.
• The facility is gorgeous inside and out, with beautiful holiday decorations, lots of activities, and a great therapy team.

Cons

• The place is pure garbage.
• The staff is horrible to residents.
• Residents were discharged to another facility without prior notice.
• The financial and facility administrators are nothing but liars.
• The Comfort Care Plan was not the right choice.
• The food wasn't fit to eat.
• Pain relief was not provided promptly.
• Care was neglectful and staff were rude.
• The facility kept patients in areas infested with COVID.

Review

Liberty Estates of Carbondale is best suited for seniors who are pursuing short-term rehab and want a clean, attractive environment with access to solid therapy and attentive support staff. Families that prize a strong rehabilitation track - where physical therapy and related services can drive tangible gains in mobility and transfers - will find the program appealing. The community's public areas and patient rooms are consistently described as clean and pleasant, which helps reduce anxiety during recovery. For long-term custodial care with steady, constant day-to-day attention and highly reliable call-bell response, this site is less predictable. This distinction matters for families weighing whether to expect daily consistency or to prepare for variable staffing patterns.

Pros concentrate around the rehab engine and the care teams that show up. Multiple reviews credit the rehab department as outstanding and describe therapists as hardworking. Aides are frequently praised for their care and compassion, and social services staff - Becky in particular - are cited as valuable assets who navigate logistics and emotional support with kindness. The facility's aesthetics - cleanliness, modern layout, and appealing decor - contribute to a calmer, more dignified experience for residents. When the environment aligns with recovery goals, residents can make meaningful progress in a shorter timeframe, and families feel they have a partner in the rehab journey. In other words, the core clinical momentum can overshadow other shortcomings.

Yet the downsides run deep enough to affect day-to-day life. A recurring theme is inconsistent staffing and uneven care quality, with reports of slow responses, missed call-buttons, and occasions where basic attention was delayed. Families recount falls, disorganization around transfers, and communications gaps, including discharges without adequate notice. Some reviewers describe disrespectful or inattentive behavior from certain staff, and others report lapses in essential services like medication administration, laundry, or timely appointment coordination. Dietary service is repeatedly criticized for limited protein, high-carb meals, and a lack of proactive nutrition planning. Together, these issues create risk and frustration that materially offset the rehab gains.

From a decision-making lens, the strongest offset to these cons comes from rehab outcomes and the ongoing supportive tone when the right team is present. When therapists and aides show up with consistency, residents regain endurance and confidence, and family members feel the care is tangible. The clean, well-run environment reduces confusion and supports routines, which matters for those with balance or wound-care needs. However, this offset is not universal; it depends on stable staffing and proactive nursing coverage. In other words, the facility can perform at a higher level in periods of strong leadership and sufficient staff, but the variability in experience means outcomes hinge on daily frontline teammates as much as on policy or reputation.

Families with loved ones who require dependable, around-the-clock care, immediate response to calls, and predictable scheduling should actively consider other options. If daily showers, timely pain management, consistent meals, and reliable transportation to appointments are non-negotiable, it may be wise to look elsewhere. The reports of miscommunication, discharge surprises, and occasional perceived neglect are red flags for long-term custodial needs. For residents with complex medical requirements or high risk for falls or medication errors, a facility with a track record of uninterrupted, well-staffed care should be sought. In short, Liberty Estates can work for rehab-styled stays, but not as a default choice for sustained, risk-averse care.

Before committing, prospective families should conduct targeted due diligence. Visit unannounced to observe call-bell responsiveness, staff-to-resident ratios, and the cleanliness of rooms and common areas. Speak with the administrator about staffing schedules, turnover, and strategies for preventing discharge surprises, call-bell failures, and medication lapses. Ask for recent resident referrals, tour the therapy gym during a session, and verify dietary planning for healing diets and protein provisions. Request references from families who recently transitioned in and out, and probe how concerns were handled. The right choice will balance the rehab strengths with a clear corrective plan for the flagged weaknesses, ensuring that the care journey aligns with the senior's medical needs and the family's expectations.

This part of Carbondale, Illinois offers a convenient and vibrant location for senior living. With several pharmacies nearby such as Family Drug and CVS Pharmacy, easy access to healthcare is readily available with facilities like Marion Eye Center & Optical and Memorial Hospital Of Carbondale in close proximity. The area also boasts a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries like Burger King to more upscale establishments such as Cafe Melange. Residents can enjoy the outdoors at nearby parks like Evergreen Park or take in a movie at AMC Theaters. Transportation options are also convenient with Amtrak Carbondale station and Southern Illinois Airport within a short distance. Places of worship, cafes, and shopping centers provide additional amenities for seniors seeking an active and engaging community in which to reside.

Pharmacies

• Family Drug (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Clinic Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (4.7 miles)
• Shawnee Healthcare Pharmacy (5 miles)

Physicians

• Marion Eye Center & Optical (0.4 miles)
• Jackson Vision & Laser Centers (0.5 miles)
• Southern Orthopedic Associates (0.5 miles)
• Southern Illinois Orthopedic Center (0.6 miles)
• Cedar Court Imaging (0.6 miles)
• Chesi Cedar Court Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Eye Care Specialists (0.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Theaters (1.1 miles)
• AMC University Place 8 (3.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Lil (1.3 miles)
• Sunny Street Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Midland Inn (1.5 miles)
• Burger King (1.5 miles)
• Cafe Melange (2 miles)
• PK's (2.1 miles)
• The Cellar (2.1 miles)

Parks

• West Walnut Street Historic District (1.7 miles)
• St Francis Animal Shelter (2.2 miles)
• Evergreen Park (2.5 miles)
• Kinkaid Lake Fish & Wildlife (5 miles)

Hospitals

• Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Birthing Center (1.9 miles)
• Memorial Hospital Of Carbondale (1.9 miles)
• Heartland Women's Healthcare (2.9 miles)
• Southern Illinois Healthcare (3.5 miles)
• The Albany Clinic (4.4 miles)
• St Joseph Memorial Hospital (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Presbyterian Church (2 miles)
• Gray Robt Rev (2.1 miles)
• Rev Shawn Kumm Rev (2.1 miles)
• Bethel AME Church (2.3 miles)
• University Christian (2.3 miles)
• Masjid Alnoor (2.5 miles)
• Carbondale Muslim Center (2.5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak Carbondale (CDL) (2.1 miles)
• Southern Illinois Airport (MDH) (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Harbaugh's Cafe (2.3 miles)
• Common Grounds Coffee House (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.1 miles)