Pontchartrain Health Care Ctr in Mandeville, LA

Pros

• The physical therapy team, especially Beth, Michelle, and Tommy, delivered excellent care.
• The nursing staff is fortunate to have Philesha and Angie.
• Ms. B, the hair stylist, was a blessing and good company for the mom.
• Adriona Taylor, the in-house nurse practitioner, was available for all questions or concerns.
• Heather and the wound care team did a great job healing her wound.
• The staff and administration were very helpful and kind.
• The therapy department is amazing.
• The building is old but very clean and well maintained.
• The activities program kept residents engaged with Bingo and arts & crafts.
• There is an on-site beauty shop that offers free weekly hair services.
• The food was very good, and substitutions were available if needed.
• They would highly recommend this facility for long-term, respite, rehabilitation services, or SNF care.

Cons

• The nurses can't get the medications straight, leading to inconsistent dosing between staff.
• The facility is repeatedly described as horrible, unsafe, and neglectful toward residents.
• A loved one's health worsened after admission and eventually died while there.
• The place should be shut down; residents become bed-bound with skin, hair, and hygiene neglect, and personal finances can be mishandled.
• The staff are incompetent or lazy, leaving residents dirty, under cared for, and sometimes malnourished or dehydrated.
• The building is old and poorly maintained, with falling ceiling tiles, smeared walls, and beds without side rails.
• Residents are left unattended for hours, with little to no rehab, causing weight loss and bedsores.
• Administrative and management issues: unresponsive leadership, poor communication, and lack of transparency about care and residency processes.
• There are reports of medical neglect and even deception of paramedics and family members.
• Families are advised not to bring loved ones here; it is described as dangerous and not suitable for care.

Review

Pontchartrain Health Care Center in Mandeville is best suited for families pursuing short-term rehabilitation or targeted wound care where the priority is access to strong therapy services and on-site medical oversight, rather than a hands-off, long-term living solution. The rehab wing has earned some praise for its therapists and wound care team, and an in-house nurse practitioner is available to answer questions and coordinate care. For loved ones who respond well to intensive physical and occupational therapy and who can tolerate variability in day-to-day staffing, Pontchartrain can deliver meaningful recovery, mobility gains, and improved function in a relatively short window.

Those considering alternatives should note that the consistency and safety of daily care at Pontchartrain are frequently questioned in reviews. Several families report long delays for assistance, medication administration problems, and disturbing gaps in supervision. Multiple accounts describe patients being left unattended for extended periods, with no bed rails or timely responses, and even dramatic declines in health after transfer or during extended stays. For anyone prioritizing reliable, predictable care, higher staffing stability, and clearer communication with families, other facilities may be a safer bet.

On the positive side, the facility's strengths center on therapy and specialized medical support. Therapy teams - often highlighted by name in favorable reviews - have helped residents restore mobility after surgery or injury, with PT/OT programs described as effective and motivating. Wound care, when managed by the in-house team, has resulted in marked healing in at least a few cases, and the presence of an on-site nurse practitioner provides an accessible point of medical coordination. For families who can anchor care with proactive oversight, these clinical resources translate into real, tangible progress.

The most troubling themes in the reviews concern nursing consistency and overall day-to-day safety. Numerous stories describe inconsistent medication delivery, missed doses, and a lack of timely response to urgent needs. Beds and rooms are sometimes described as not suitable for safe long-term habitation - old facilities with maintenance issues, clutter, and in one case, the absence of bed rails. Communication breakdowns with families and sporadic management support compound the risk, leaving relatives feeling unable to verify care plans or advocate effectively on a loved one's behalf. These problems are not minor irritants; they are core integrity failures that limit confidence in ongoing care.

Given these dynamics, the pros and cons must be weighed with strict, concrete safeguards. The rehab-focused strengths can deliver meaningful recovery, especially when a resident has a dedicated family advocate who monitors med orders, daily routines, and progress. However, the significant safety and staffing risks mean this facility is not a good fit for anyone who cannot actively participate in oversight or who requires high, consistent levels of daily attention. For long-term residents or those with complex medical needs who depend on steady, reliable care, other communities with stronger track records of safety, staffing, and transparent administration should be prioritized.

In practical terms, families leaning toward Pontchartrain should approach with a plan: tour specifically the rehab and wound care areas, request to speak with the lead therapists and the in-house NP, and obtain a written care plan with explicit medication schedules, turning protocols, and daily accountability measures. Verify staffing ratios during different shifts, and insist on a clear process for reporting concerns and escalating issues. Have a contingency plan to transfer if safety or neglect concerns persist, and prepare to document observations for any medical or legal review. If those conditions cannot be met, alternatives are not only sensible but prudent.

This area of Mandeville, Louisiana offers a convenient location with various amenities that cater to the needs of seniors. With several physicians' offices nearby, including Sleep Rite PSG and Ochsner Clinic Northshore, healthcare services are easily accessible. Additionally, there are plenty of cafes such as PJ's Coffee and Starbucks for social gatherings or a relaxing afternoon. The abundance of restaurants like Kazoku Sushi and Liz's Where Y'at Diner provide a variety of dining options within a short distance. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy offer convenient access to medications, while the Lurline Smith Mental Health Center is located nearby for any mental health needs. Places of worship such as St Timothy On The North Shore also provide opportunities for spiritual enrichment. Overall, this part of Mandeville provides a balanced mix of healthcare services, dining options, pharmacies, and places for spiritual growth making it a suitable choice for senior living.

Physicians

• Sleep Rite PSG (0.3 miles)
• Ochsner Clinic Northshore (1.5 miles)
• Brian H Strand, MD FACS (1.9 miles)
• The Fertility Institute (2.7 miles)
• St Tammany Physicians Network (2.9 miles)
• Northlake Medical Psychology And Counseling (2.9 miles)
• James W Christopher Md (3 miles)

Cafes

• PJ s Coffee (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand (3.3 miles)
• Pj's Coffee (4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Abita Roasting Co. Madisonville (7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Kazoku Sushi (1 miles)
• Rips On The Lake (1 miles)
• Northlake Seafood (1.2 miles)
• The Barley Oak (1.2 miles)
• Liz's Where Y'at Diner (1.2 miles)
• Lago Mexican Restaurant (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• C & C Drugs (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Lurline Smith Mental Health Center (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Timothy On The North Shore (3 miles)

Theaters

• Movie Tavern Covington (5.5 miles)