Arbutus Park Retirement Comm

Pros

• The facility is wonderful and everyone is nice.
• The staff are very nice, friendly, and supportive, and the food is good.
• The staff are kind, helpful, knowledgeable, professional, and pleasant with a sense of humor.
• Arbutus Retirement Community is a wonderful place to live.
• The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about patient care, and the facility is clean.
• Arbutus is a fantastic place with friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and wonderful activities.
• Arbutus is awesome with friendly staff and excellent residents.
• The facility is the best retirement home in the Johnstown area.
• It is first class.
• It is a lovely home with good care and good placement for residents in the cottages.
• The place is very nice, clean, safe, and welcoming, with helpful staff.

Cons

• Amy wasted days of their time by delaying pre-authorization and transfer.
• Arbutus denied the transfer after accepting him, citing suicidal ideations and mental health concerns.
• A front desk staff member treated visitors very poorly.
• The facility is understaffed and the nurses are rude, leading to delayed or inadequate care.
• Patients were left in wet beds without pants, and call buttons took 15?20 minutes to be answered.
• Dietary orders and therapy were not followed or provided as promised.
• Residents feel they are being taken advantage of by high maintenance fees.
• It is now dirty, staff are not friendly, and residents are not being cared for as they should be.

Review

Arbutus Park Retirement Community - a campus that includes Arbutus Manor and related living arrangements - elicits a wide range of experiences from families and visitors. Taken together, the observations paint a picture of a place that many people find warm, welcoming, and well run, while also exposing areas where processes and staffing can fall short. Several reviewers repeatedly describe the environment as friendly and caring, with staff who are kind, professional, and easy to be around. Others point to frustrating miscommunications, especially around admissions and transfers, and to concerns about staffing levels and responsiveness in day-to-day care.

A central thread in many accounts is the impression of a genuinely caring team. Families repeatedly note that staff across departments are courteous and patient, with a consistent emphasis on treating residents with dignity. One reviewer highlights a staff culture characterized by kindness, humor, and professionalism, praising how well the team interacts with both residents and their families. The care teams are described as knowledgeable and helpful, and even those with challenging caregiving roles - such as a resident who is terminally ill, legally blind, and hard of hearing - receive respectful, attentive treatment. The sentiment that the staff "knows what they're doing" and remains pleasant under pressure recurs in multiple anecdotes, often framed as a welcome counterbalance to the daily stresses families face during a loved one's illness or transition.

Within this positive overall vibe, several families emphasize the emotional and practical support they receive when visiting or coordinating care. Visitors report friendly, inclusive environments where even extended family members - like grandchildren - are welcome during visits, and where special arrangements (such as visiting hours tailored to a working schedule) can be accommodated. There are notes about comfortable, home-like interactions and celebrations that help residents feel at ease. A number of reviewers recount personal connections with staff that go beyond routine care, including anecdotes about staff making residents feel valued and part of a caring community. Some families also mention small, heartwarming touches - like a welcoming atmosphere around events and activities - that contribute to a sense of belonging for both residents and their families.

The campus also earns praise for the physical environment in many reviews. Reviewers consistently describe Arbutus Park as clean, well-maintained, and aesthetically pleasing. They point to attractive grounds, thoughtful amenities, and a layout that supports social engagement and a sense of community. The independent living cottages and other living arrangements are often referenced positively, with some residents feeling a strong sense of belonging and pride in the grounds and facilities. Activities and programming are described as lively and engaging, with opportunities for residents to participate in events and for families to be involved in those activities. A couple of reviewers even celebrate the overall atmosphere and the sense of care that comes through in how the community is presented and managed.

Yet not all feedback is entirely favorable, and several reviewers highlight concrete concerns that can complicate experiences at Arbutus Park. A particularly troubling set of comments centers on the admissions and transfer process. One family describes a frustrating sequence beginning with an Admissions representative who, after initial enthusiasm, suggested pre-authorization for a transfer on a Friday. By Tuesday, the same contact claimed the hospital had determined the father was not eligible due to "suicidal ideations" and "mental health concerns," a determination that felt ill-timed and inadequately substantiated to the family. The couple's frustration is palpable: days were wasted waiting for decisions, and, in the meantime, other facilities either could not take the patient or had already filled available beds. The net effect was a lengthy hospital stay beyond the patient's medical readiness for discharge and an overall sense that the process was mismanaged or rushed to judgment. While the family ultimately found another facility with open beds, the experience left a sour impression about how referrals and approvals are handled.

Other reviewers raise concerns about staffing levels and responsiveness once a resident is in residence. Some express worries about under-staffing, with criticisms such as nurses being slow to respond to call bells, and a few notes describing situations where patients did not receive timely assistance or the level of care they expect. These anecdotes contrast with the prevailing praise for staff found in many other reviews, highlighting that experiences can vary markedly depending on the shift, unit, and individual caregivers. They also underscore the importance of adequate staffing and consistent care standards to ensure every resident receives prompt, reliable attention.

Financial considerations and perceived value also feature in the mix. A few comments reflect skepticism about the cost of maintenance and services, suggesting that the high fees should correspond to consistently high levels of service across the board. Some reviewers describe the care as excellent in certain areas but point out gaps in maintenance or outside-the-room upkeep that can color the overall impression of value. Conversely, several readers emphasize that, when it comes to care quality and the staff's compassion, Arbutus Park delivers a strong positive experience that families remember fondly, especially in moments when responsive, empathetic care makes a real difference for a loved one.

In addition to general care and admissions experiences, reviewers speak to the broader community atmosphere and special touches that shape daily life. There are mentions of delightful amenities and features - such as a fish pond at the entrance, train displays during the holidays, and regularly held flea markets that benefit residents - that contribute to a sense of community and activity beyond standard caregiving. People speak of life in the cottages and the wider campus with affection, noting that the environment supports independence for some residents while offering supportive care for those who need it. This blend of independent living, engaging activities, and attentive caregiving is repeatedly cited as a strength of the Arbutus Park campus.

Taken together, the reviews tell a story of a facility that many families deeply appreciate for its warmth, professionalism, and community spirit, while also revealing vulnerabilities in admissions practices, staffing consistency, and the day-to-day management of care. The strongest messages celebrate the compassionate, patient-centered care provided by many staff members, the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for families and visitors, and the beauty and usability of the living spaces and grounds. At the same time, there is a clear call for improvements in how transfers are handled, how quickly care needs are addressed in a busy facility, and how to ensure every resident receives uniformly attentive service - especially during transitions and times of high demand. For families weighing Arbutus Park, the experiences shared here underscore a reality of care that can be outstanding in many moments, yet imperfect in others, depending on the specific circumstances and the people involved.

Restaurants

• Tap 814 Speakeasy (0.7 miles)
• Corner Coffee Shoppe (0.7 miles)
• Anthony's Mediterranean Grill (0.8 miles)
• Subway (0.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• Woodside Bar & Grill (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)

Physicians

• Cambria County Medical Society (0.8 miles)
• Walnut Medical Services (1.1 miles)
• Retina Vitreous Consultants (1.4 miles)
• Laurel Highlands Advanced Imaging (1.4 miles)
• Ophthamlic Associates Surgery & Laser Center (1.7 miles)
• Griesheimer Patricia Nulton Diagnostic (1.7 miles)
• Pediatric Care Specialists (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• East Hills Family Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• Forest Hills Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Benedict Church (0.9 miles)
• Faith Chapel (1.2 miles)
• Crossroads Community Church (1.2 miles)
• St Patrick's Church Rectory (1.9 miles)
• St Vincent De Paul Caring Ministries (2.7 miles)
• Scalp Level Church of the Brethren (3.3 miles)
• St Clare Of Assisi Church Hall (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Lorain Park (1 miles)
• Roxbury Park (2.8 miles)
• Elim Field (3.3 miles)

Hospitals

• James E Van Dandt VA clinic (1.4 miles)
• Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• The Morning Grind (2.6 miles)
• Flood City Cafe (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Richland Cinemas (2 miles)
• Silver Drive-In (2 miles)

Transportation

• Ken Lantzy All Star Game (3.3 miles)
• John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (3.5 miles)
• CamTram (3.5 miles)