Ridgewood CC/Sunderman West

Pros

• The staff are nice, friendly, and caring.
• The facility has a bright, clean, and cheery atmosphere.
• The facility is clean and has many caring workers.
• Families report excellent communication with staff.
• The level of care is excellent, specialized, and individualized to residents' needs.
• Staff at all levels are professional and caring.
• Families feel blessed to have their loved ones living there.
• The place is described as amazing, with staff who are kind and caring toward residents.

Cons

• They felt Ridgewood provided far less therapy than Madonna, resulting in minimal progress for the patient.
• They claimed Ridgewood attempted to revoke Medicare coverage for lack of progress, describing the meeting as shocking.
• They described the update meeting as adversarial and insinuated that administration prioritized cost over genuine patient care.
• They argued that Ridgewood had a management issue and that promised therapies never materialized.
• They warned that 23 days of poor care could undo the gains already made.
• They stated that Ridgewood treats its employees terribly.

Review

Ridgewood sits in the memory of this family as a place that offered comfort during a profoundly difficult time. For the writer's mother, the experience there in her last days was framed by warmth and attentiveness from many staff members who were described as nice, friendly, and caring. The facility was consistently depicted as bright, clean, and cheery, a backdrop that helped create a reassuring atmosphere for a patient facing serious health battles. In those final days, the environment and the demeanor of the team at Ridgewood were a source of solace, and the family members who stayed by her side felt that the care they received during this period was meaningful.

There are voices within the Ridgewood community that echo these positive impressions with specifics. The reviewers repeatedly highlighted a level of care that felt individualized and professional, praising the staff from top to bottom for their dedication. The care extended not only to the patient - who had endured a harrowing sequence of medical events - but also to family members seeking clear communication and reassurance. In particular, the family noted that the day-to-day interactions with caregivers and maintenance personnel alike carried a sense of competence and attentiveness, and that the overall climate at Ridgewood contributed to a sense of security during a chaotic and stressful time.

Yet, amid the praise, a more complex picture emerges. A separate perspective from the same broader Ridgewood community questions whether the facility always translates good intentions into truly meaningful rehabilitation for patients who are trying to go home. The critic describes watching a dramatic decline in her mother's rehabilitation progress after transferring from Madonna Hospital, where therapy was more intensive, compared with what was available at Ridgewood. She recalls her mother standing and moving with substantial support at Madonna, but, after arriving at Ridgewood, the improvements appeared to stall, with only a few minutes of therapy time attributed to the day. This discrepancy sparked a larger concern: if the patient's progress isn't as expected, what is the impact on coverage and discharge planning?

One of the most troubling moments described is a meeting about Medicare coverage that felt more like a discharge ultimatum than an update on progress. The family recounts being told of a possible appeal, but with the looming threat that the patient would have to leave by a fixed deadline to avoid self-pay costs of $241 per day, with the caveat that this daily rate did not include therapy. The tone and framing of that meeting left the family stunned and disheartened, raising questions about how decisions are communicated and justified when a patient has endured multiple surgeries in a short period, including life-threatening events such as a subarachnoid aneurysm and subsequent neurosurgical interventions.

The medical history surrounding the mother's care amplifies the gravity of these concerns. The narrative details six surgeries within 21 days, including many on the head, shunt procedures, and a major stroke that followed a hemorrhage. The family describes a life flight to UNMC, a drain in the head, and significant protective measures like padded flooring to keep the patient safe. Against this backdrop, the claim that Ridgewood would discharge a patient with no ongoing therapy - even while pursuing new insurance decisions - reads as particularly jarring and painful. The reviewer wrestles with the contrast between the hope for recovery and the reality of administrative decisions that seemed to overshadow the patient's complex medical needs.

In the weeks that followed, the tension between advocacy and policy never fully resolved. The family says they appealed the decision and won, only to encounter another insurance challenge the very next day. The stress of trying to move a mother toward a facility capable of supporting her unique rehabilitation goals - goals that the family believed were still within reach - took a heavy emotional toll. The reviewer emphasizes that the prognosis offered a path toward recovery, albeit a slow one, and laments that a few weeks could undo much of the progress gained in treatment. The sentiment is clear: the care system felt unstable at a moment when steadiness and continuity were most needed.

Amid the storm of disagreement, the family also offers a hopeful counterpoint. They acknowledge that the broader Ridgewood community includes those who regained a sense of normalcy and independence, and they stress that the care for their mother and sister was characterized by a high degree of professionalism and dedication from many staff members. There is a consistent thread of gratitude for the people who showed up with kindness and capability, and there are heartfelt expressions of relief that the mother and sister remain in a supportive environment. Reviewers describe the care as specialized and tailored to individual needs, with strong communication and a sense of comfort for loved ones who rely on the facility to protect and nurture their family members.

At the same time, another line of critique surfaces: a stark reminder that not everything at Ridgewood lands in harmony. One reviewer bluntly asserts that the facility treats its employees terribly, a statement that stands in tension with the otherwise glowing descriptions of staff kindness and competence. This contradiction highlights a broader concern about workplace culture and management practices within the same institution. The repeated juxtaposition of "amazing, kind, and caring" care with accusations of unfair treatment toward staff underscores the complexity of running a healthcare operation where personal and clinical outcomes intersect with organizational policies and morale.

In sum, the reflections on Ridgewood reveal a facility capable of offering warmth, respect, and compassionate attention at moments of acute vulnerability. They also reveal serious questions about rehabilitation efficacy, billing and discharge decisions, and the consistency of management practices. For some families, Ridgewood represented a sanctuary where excellent care and clear communication provided essential support for loved ones in their final and challenging days. For others, the experience was marked by anxiety, perceived gaps in therapy, aggressive insurance navigation, and a perception that systemic issues overshadowed the patient's best interests. The range of opinions captures the complicated reality of navigating complex medical crises, where comfort, care, policy, and humanity all converge in the lives of those who need healing the most.

Located in Seward, Nebraska, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With multiple places of worship nearby, such as Grace Lutheran Church Wels and Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, residents have opportunities for spiritual fulfillment. Additionally, the proximity of restaurants like Par 15 Lounge and healthcare facilities like Memorial Hospital make daily tasks easily manageable. The presence of parks like Plum Creek Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to pharmacies like Seward Family Pharmacy ensures easy access to medications, and nearby physicians at Seward Family Medical Center offer quality healthcare services. Transportation options such as U-Haul provide convenience for any moving needs or travel requirements. Overall, this part of Seward offers a welcoming community with essential amenities for senior living.

Places of Worship

• Grace Lutheran Church Wels (0 miles)
• Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church (0.2 miles)
• Union Ave United Methodist Chr (0.3 miles)
• St Andrew's Episcopal Church (0.5 miles)
• Church Of Christ Seward (0.6 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• Our Reedemer Lutheran (0.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Par 15 Lounge (0.2 miles)
• The Doghouse Grill (0.8 miles)
• Subway (0.8 miles)
• Amigos/Kings Classic (0.9 miles)
• Runza (0.9 miles)
• Tasteful Indulgence, Cake Art of Seward (1 miles)
• La Cocina Mexican Rest (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Winchell's Donuts (0.9 miles)
• Panama (1 miles)
• JD's Coffee Shop (1.1 miles)
• The Mill Coffee & Tea (21.7 miles)
• Crescent Moon Coffee (21.8 miles)

Parks

• Plum Creek Park (0.9 miles)
• Seward Parks & Recreation (1.2 miles)
• Fallbrook Park (19.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Memorial Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Seward Memorial Hospital & Clinics (1.1 miles)
• Lincoln Regional Center (21.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Seward Family Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Mueri Drug (1.1 miles)
• Milford Valu-Rite Pharmacy (10.6 miles)
• Russ’S Market (20.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (21.3 miles)
• Walgreens (21.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (21.4 miles)

Physicians

• Wergin Robert MD (1.1 miles)
• James Plasek MD (1.1 miles)
• Seward Family Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Milford Family Medical Center (10.7 miles)
• Utica Family Medical Center (13.1 miles)
• Lincoln Eye & Laser Institute (19.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (1.2 miles)
• U-Haul (2.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (10.8 miles)
• 92 West (20.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (21.4 miles)