Reeder's Memorial Home

Pros

• The first impression was great, with staff who were friendly, caring, and clean.
• There were extremely kind and competent staff during the week.
• The room had a nice Roku TV.
• Entry into the patient area is secure.
• The elderly person said that he likes the food and finds the rehab challenging but helpful.
• The room is spacious, bright, and private.
• Patients can go outside to sit on nice days.
• The staff are very friendly and kind, carrying smiles and being attentive.

Cons

• The response time for patient alerts is excessively long (over five minutes).
• The front desk staff claimed they were unaware of the cousin's arrival despite prior alerts.
• Medication was delayed by several hours.
• Weekends and nights were described as awful, with staff not friendly or attentive.
• The patient became dehydrated and wasted away.
• The facility is poorly managed and understaffed, with critical information not consistently reported.
• There is mention of a troubling history and a name change, with warnings against care there.
• There is concern about incentives to post positive reviews undermining trust.

Review

The collection of remarks about Sterling Care, also referred to as South Mountain in some references, paints a picture of a medical facility that evokes both hopeful anticipation and sharp disappointment, depending on the day and the unit. On first contact, visitors often describe a clean, bright environment and a welcoming front desk. The initial impression for some families is positive: a front desk that feels friendly, staff who appear caring, and rooms that feel spacious and private, with amenities like a Roku TV offering some comfort during a trying time. Yet behind that pleasant surface there are persistent concerns about the consistency of care, especially as families move beyond the lobby into the patient areas.

A recurring point across many accounts is a disconnect between what is promised and what is delivered in real time. One thread of the reviews highlights a slow and flawed handoff between hospital discharge notices and the facility's front staff. Even when the hospital had alerted the front desk days in advance, the staff sometimes claimed unawareness of a patient's arrival. The practical implications of this misalignment are serious: patient alerts can take five minutes or more to be acknowledged, and medications are described as delayed by hours. Such delays have real consequences for patients who are already vulnerable, and they color the overall sense of reliability and safety within the facility. The physical setting is praised in places - rooms that are described as large, bright, and privately situated with secure entry and even the option to sit outside on nice days - but these positives are offset by tangible maintenance issues like chipped wall paint and reports that not all amenities are consistently functioning.

The experience across shifts appears to vary dramatically. Weekdays and certain staff members are described as compassionate, attentive, and knowledgeable, with positive mentions of various caregivers who are seen as responsive to questions and needs. In contrast, weekends and nighttime shifts are repeatedly characterized as less friendly and less attentive, leaving families feeling neglected or uncertain about the level of care their loved ones are receiving. Across several narratives, concern grows that a loved one could deteriorate during these less attentive periods, with one account describing a patient who became dehydrated and seemed to be "wasting away" during an eight-day stay, ultimately prompting a family member to bring her home. For some families, that contrast - between a few standout caregivers and broader concerns about coverage - frames a larger worry about the facility's consistency and reliability.

Cautionary notes about trust and transparency also emerge in the reviews. A notable and vocal portion of the discourse questions the credibility of positive reviews tied to incentives. One reviewer disclosed participating in a "contest" offering a $500 prize for positive feedback and urged readers to be skeptical of such incentives, likening the situation to known practices in other consumer review ecosystems. This reviewer emphasizes due diligence: discuss options with healthcare providers, compare multiple facilities, and read a broad range of sources, including official inspection reports that describe the facility's history and performance. The review cites a substantial end-of-2024 inspection/complaint report that reportedly documents serious concerns about understaffing and ongoing management issues, and it mentions a name change from Sterling Care to South Mountain. While acknowledging that the facility may have improved since then, the reviewer cautions readers not to rely solely on glowing testimonials and underscores the importance of verifying through multiple avenues.

Within the broader tapestry of experiences there are also credible, specific praises that recur. Some reviewers highlight patient areas that feel safe and welcoming, with secure entry and the possibility for residents to enjoy outdoor time. Families repeatedly commend individual staff members on the memory care floor for their ongoing communication, care, and problem-solving with family concerns about equipment and rooms. Names like Rhonda, Lasha, Airey, Angela, and Emily surface as examples of staff who were attentive, informative, and proactive in addressing the needs of residents and their families. There are also downstream notes of satisfaction with particular departments - admissions, dietary staff, and maintenance - whose positive actions (such as improving a bed setup for fall risk or promptly addressing a request) can restore some confidence in the facility despite broader concerns.

Nevertheless, there are strong cautions that cannot be ignored. Some reviewers recount stories of neglect, unsafe conditions, and poor communication that are described as systemic - enough to prompt actions such as contacting state oversight bodies and professional boards. One account states that a relative had a traumatic experience, with vivid descriptions of blood, distressing conditions, and inadequate information sharing during a critical period. Other reviewers reflect on the possibility that the facility's problems extend beyond a single shift or incident, arguing that understaffing and management weaknesses have created an environment where vulnerable patients are not consistently protected. In several passages, the facility's reputation is tied not only to current care but also to long-standing complaints that predate recent name changes and rebranding efforts.

Against this backdrop, the overarching message from many reviewers is to be discerning and proactive when considering Sterling/South Mountain for a loved one. Some families report meaningful, high-quality interactions with knowledgeable staff and a sense of security in certain areas; others report experiences that fall far short of expectations, ranging from delayed medications and slow response times to outright concerns about safety and neglect. The consensus among most reviewers is that a careful, collaborative approach with healthcare providers is essential, that one should consult multiple sources of information (including official inspection reports and direct facility visits), and that the decision should be made with a clear-eyed understanding of the potential for both excellent and problematic experiences.

In sum, Sterling/South Mountain appears to be a facility of contrasts: moments of genuine care, professional staff, and well-maintained rooms in some cases; alongside systemic concerns about staffing, communication, and timely treatment in others. Families are urged to engage actively with care teams, verify information through independent sources, and weigh personal experiences against broader histories and inspections. The ultimate takeaway is that the decision to place a loved one in this facility should be made with thorough research, direct conversations with providers, and a cautious eye toward how care has evolved over time and across shifts.

Located in Boonsboro, Maryland, this area offers a mix of natural beauty and convenient amenities for senior living. With parks like Washington Monument State Park and Catoctin Creek Park nearby, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and scenic walks. There are also several healthcare options within a short drive, including Family Medicine Center and Meritus Health hospital. For dining options, there is a variety of restaurants such as Captain Benders Tavern and Cracker Barrel, as well as cafes like Rik's Cafe and Lost Dog Coffee. Additionally, there are pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens for easy access to medications. Places of worship such as Trinity Episcopal Church and St Joseph Catholic Church provide spiritual support for those seeking religious services. Overall, this area offers a peaceful setting with plenty of resources to support a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Parks

• Washington Monument State Park (1.6 miles)
• Brownsville Community Pond (8.4 miles)
• Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center (8.8 miles)
• Doubs Woods Park (9.1 miles)
• Hagerstown City Park (10.1 miles)
• Hagerstown Fairgrounds (10.3 miles)

Physicians

• Family Medicine Center (3.2 miles)
• Parkview Medical Group (4.4 miles)
• Central ENT Consultants, P.C. (7.9 miles)
• MyEyeDr (8 miles)
• New Vision Laser Center (8.2 miles)
• Meritus Internal Medicine Robinwood (8.4 miles)
• Pastrana Gutierrez Laura Comprehensive Neurology Services Pa Hagerstown (8.4 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• Captain Benders Tavern (6.1 miles)
• Nutter's Ice Cream (6.1 miles)
• Waffle House (8 miles)
• McDonald's (8 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (8 miles)
• Wendy's (8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Epic Pharmacies (7.2 miles)
• Sharpsburg Pharmacy (7.2 miles)
• Health Mart (7.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.9 miles)
• Martin's (8 miles)
• Walgreens (8.2 miles)
• Walgreens (8.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Meritus Health (8.5 miles)
• Davita Hagerstown Dialysis (9.7 miles)
• Washington County Hospital (9.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (8.6 miles)
• Trinity Episcopal Church (9.7 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (10 miles)

Cafes

• Rik's Cafe (9.5 miles)
• Lost Dog Coffee (9.7 miles)