Valley Health Svc Inc

Pros

• The dietary staff was always attentive to residents' needs.
• The food was described as tremendous, with Fridays and the fish highlighted.
• The services are helpful and they work with residents' needs.
• The staff were described as caring.
• One reviewer gave the dietary staff an A+++ rating.

Cons

• The facility neglects residents, leaving them in soiled diapers and drenched in urine for long periods.
• Hygiene oversight is severely lacking, with feces found under nails and on residents' hands.
• Dental care is neglected, resulting in rotted, black teeth.
• CNAs are described as horrible and not performing their duties, letting residents suffer.
• Administration and social workers are unresponsive, with months-long delays for callbacks.
• The facility is severely understaffed, with high resident-to-staff ratios and call bells left unplugged.
• Call lights are not promptly answered, sometimes taking up to two hours.

Review

A chorus of reviews paints a troubling portrait of a care facility, with repeated accounts of neglect, under-staffing, and inconsistent care that leave residents vulnerable. Families describe scenes of residents who are half-dependent on staff yet often endure long waits for basic assistance. One reviewer speaks with urgency about a grandfather who has been neglected for over two decades in ways that include soiled diapers left beside his bed, dental neglect resulting in rotted, black teeth, and urine-drenched clothing on multiple occasions. The message that lingers is not simply dissatisfaction with meals or activities, but a pattern of hygiene failures and a lack of timely, compassionate care for residents who cannot fully advocate for themselves.

Hygiene and sanitation emerge as a central theme in many of the accounts. Reviewers recount discovering feces in rooms and on residents for hours, with one account describing a father's hand and nails as being soiled, and another noting stool tossed around by another patient at times. In several episodes, families assert that staff did not notice or promptly address these conditions, and some claim that cleanup occurred only after the family intervened or after state authorities were involved. A particularly vivid instance describes a Christmas Eve change that was followed by not addressing the underlying soiling or neglect, including not changing the padding under a resident who was still soiled. The underlying concern is not merely cleanliness as a surface issue, but ongoing neglect that reduces dignity and increases health risks for vulnerable individuals.

Understaffing appears as a persistent and explicit concern across many reviews. Descriptions of staffing ratios suggest overwhelming workloads for nurses and aides, with one reviewer citing roughly 40 residents per nurse and another noting one staff member on duty for dozens of residents. The consequences cited include call lights being ignored or taking hours to answer, and residents being left to manage on their own after being recently assisted with difficult tasks. Some reviewers allege that call bells are deliberately unplugged at night to avoid interruptions, and that patients with limited mobility or cognitive impairment are left waiting, sometimes for extended periods, to receive basic assistance. These patterns contribute to a sense of neglect and erode trust in the facility's ability to respond to emergencies or daily needs.

The reviews show a spectrum of experiences, revealing both severe criticisms and occasional positive notes. A number of accounts condemn the facility for neglect and warn against bringing loved ones there, often with explicit statements about reporting the facility to state agencies. Yet other entries acknowledge positive aspects, such as praise for dietary staff and certain services; one review calls the dietary team "A++" and notes frequent appreciation for Friday fish, while also acknowledging that "nursing was ok" in that same experience. Another reviewer describes the services as helpful and says the facility works with families' needs, signaling that not all interactions are uniformly negative. This contrast suggests that experiences may vary by shift, department, or individual staff, even within the same facility.

Families respond actively to the troubling conditions they observe. Several reviews recount attempts to contact administrators or social workers with little to no return calls, prompting plans to involve state authorities or pursue other legal avenues. One reviewer notes ongoing attempts to communicate for months without response, while another announces intentions to move a relative to a different facility to ensure proper care. The emotional weight of these actions is evident as families describe the toll of choosing to escalate concerns, pursue paperwork for legal counsel, and seek safer environments for their loved ones. The commitment to accountability is a recurring thread, even as frustrations with the system are palpable.

A final thread in these accounts concerns everyday interactions and attitudes toward staff and visitors. There are mentions of rude or dismissive behavior toward independent delivery drivers, and accusations that staff may prioritize personal time or distractions over residents' needs. While some reviewers acknowledge the challenges of running a high-demand facility, the prevailing tone is that resident care should never be sidestepped or delayed, especially for those who cannot advocate for themselves. A number of reviewers call for better staffing, more attentive care, and stronger oversight to ensure that residents receive timely, respectful, and dignified treatment.

Taken together, these reviews present a complex and highly charged picture of the facility. The prevailing narrative is one of serious concerns about neglect, hygiene, and staffing, compounded by inconsistent experiences across residents and shifts. While there are hints of positive experiences in certain departments or moments - most notably praise for dietary staff - the overarching message emphasizes inadequate care, delayed responses to call bells, and distressing conditions that families say must be addressed urgently. For anyone considering this facility, these firsthand accounts underscore the importance of thorough due diligence, direct site visits, and proactive engagement with administrators and state oversight bodies to safeguard the well-being of loved ones.

This part of Herkimer, New York, offers a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for convenience and comfort. With a range of dining options such as Salvatores, Applebee's, and Subway nearby, residents can easily find a meal to suit their preferences. Additionally, there are several places of worship within close proximity for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. Access to healthcare services is readily available with physicians like Dr. Donald Knapp and medical facilities like Bassett Healthcare Network–Herkimer in the area. The presence of cafes like The Java Shop by Cucina Berto provides opportunities for socializing and relaxation. For outdoor recreation, parks such as Arc Park and F.T. Proctor Park offer green spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. Pharmacies like Hannaford Pharmacy and Walgreens ensure easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. Transportation options are convenient, with Frankfort-Highland Airport and Amtrak station nearby for travel needs. Overall, this part of Herkimer presents a well-rounded community with essential services tailored to seniors' needs.

Restaurants

• Salvatores (0.1 miles)
• Applebee's (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Woody's Ice Cream Place (0.6 miles)
• Greek Gyros Herkimer (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Trinity Lutheran Church (0.3 miles)
• Holy Trinity Monastery (7.5 miles)
• Russian Orthodox Church (7.9 miles)
• Jordanville Federated Church (8.1 miles)
• Church of Christ (10.7 miles)
• Soul 2 Soul Temple (11.3 miles)
• Kingdom Ministries Place of Worship/House of Prayer (12.6 miles)

Physicians

• Melo Larry J DDS (0.5 miles)
• Bassett Healthcare Network–Herkimer (1 miles)
• Herkimer Eyecare Center (1 miles)
• Dr. Donald Knapp (1 miles)
• Herkimer Family Nurse Practitioners (1 miles)
• Cooperative Magnetic Imaging (2 miles)
• Slocum-Dickson Medical Group (2 miles)

Cafes

• The Java Shop by Cucina Berto (0.6 miles)
• That Little Place On Main (7.1 miles)
• Top of the Morning Cafe (12.4 miles)
• Bagg's Square Cafe (12.4 miles)
• Utica Coffee Roasting (12.7 miles)
• Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar (13 miles)

Hospitals

• Faxton-St Luke's Healthcare (0.8 miles)
• Little Falls Hospital (7.8 miles)
• Masonic Care Health Facility (10.6 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (13.1 miles)

Parks

• Arc Park (0.9 miles)
• F.T. Proctor Park (11 miles)
• Deerfield Wilderness Park (12.3 miles)
• Recreation Department (12.8 miles)
• Burt's Turd Cutter (13 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hannaford Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Wlagreens (2.1 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (7.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.3 miles)
• Parkway Drugs (11.1 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (11.9 miles)
• Walgreens (12.1 miles)

Transportation

• Frankfort-Highland Airport (6B4) (8.4 miles)
• Amtrak (12.5 miles)