Nursing and Rehabilitation at Good Shepherd in Little Rock, AR

Pros

• The staff are wonderful and the environment is clean and friendly.
• The facility has a kind and attentive team that truly cares for residents, creating a home-like atmosphere.
• New administration is making great improvements.
• The facility is top-notch, with a caring, attentive staff and a loving atmosphere.
• The rehab and therapy teams deliver high-quality care and are consistently supportive.
• The nurses, CNAs, dietary staff, and therapists are personable and caring.
• The place is clean, with good meals, and offers activities like bingo and Bible study.

Cons

• The reviewer describes a horrible experience, citing inadequate staff, a missing patient phone, and care that seemed to revolve around medicating patients.
• The reviewer claims the facility lacks training to handle dementia or Alzheimer's patients and would not provide necessary rehab, contributing to their loved one's decline and death.
• The reviewer reports not being fully staffed after hours and on weekends, nurses disregarding call lights, and a resident who fell due to inattention.
• The reviewer alleges staff lied about tests and mismanaged a UTI, leading to distrust and not recommending the facility.
• The reviewer says the place is a joke with horrible care and a director they criticize for lack of accountability.
• The reviewer accuses the staff of poor communication, money skimming, unexplained blood draws, and loss of belongings.

Review

Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation in Little Rock is best suited for families seeking a warm, person-centered rehab environment where staff appear genuinely invested in residents and the setting feels clean and home-like. The facility often earns praise for attentive nursing and CNAs, a supportive food service team, and a therapy staff that can deliver meaningful progress for short-term or post-acute recovery. When the aim is practical, everyday care in a facility that feels approachable and personable, this community delivers. It suits seniors who respond well to direct, friendly attention and who want a familiar, residential atmosphere as they work toward returning home.

Those with dementia or Alzheimer's who require specialized, highly structured cognitive care should proceed with caution. Several reviews point to a lack of dementia-focused training and a rehab staff that may not be equipped to manage complex behavioral and memory-related needs. Families considering a facility that can sustain rigorous, consistent dementia programming should explore alternatives that offer dedicated memory care expertise and proven protocols. Additionally, anyone needing constant, high-intensity medical oversight or a highly predictable staffing pattern may want to compare options where night and weekend coverage is documented to meet stricter standards.

The strongest argument for Good Shepherd rests on its credible pros: a consistently clean, home-like environment and a caregiving staff that, when operating at full capacity, can deliver compassionate, hands-on help. Positive experiences highlight how the team makes residents feel known and supported, with therapy and daily routines that help some transitional patients regain function and confidence. These advantages do offset the drawbacks for families prioritizing warmth, personal connections, and a moderate level of rehab service - even when turnover or shift variability introduces occasional gaps. In short, the facility succeeds when staffing is stable and residents'requirements align with a warm, practical care approach.

However, the cons are not trivial and must be weighed carefully. Understaffing on evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts has been a persistent concern in multiple accounts, resulting in delayed response to call lights and less proactive assistance with activities. Communication lapses - ranging from test results and medical updates to daily care changes - have generated real anxiety for families. Instances of perceived mismanagement, missing or mishandled personal belongings, and questions around everyday clinical decisions have left some families distrustful. For residents who require rigorous medical scrutiny, robust medication oversight, or continuous, highly coordinated rehab, these gaps can erode confidence in the stay.

Administratively, the facility appears to be in a period of transition, with some reviewers noting meaningful improvements under new leadership while others remain wary of accountability and consistency. The mixed leadership signal translates into a practical reality: outcomes seem highly dependent on which staff are present and which administrator is in charge during a given stay. Families should therefore insist on current, concrete assurances - clear contact points, regular updates, and a unit-level champion for patient transitions - to mitigate the risk of drift between departments and shifts.

For families considering this community, the prudent move is to use a two-tier decision framework. First, assess the resident's primary needs: is short-term rehabilitation the goal, or is dementia care and highly consistent staffing a must? If the former, and a warm, attentive environment matters most, Good Shepherd can be a strong fit, particularly when current leadership is actively driving improvements and the rehab team is engaged. If the latter, or if there is a history of care gaps in this facility among your circle, explore alternatives with proven dementia expertise and guaranteed 24/7 staffing reliability. In the end, success hinges on clear expectations, evidence of stable staffing, and a transparent plan for ongoing communication with both clinical teams and family members.

Located in the western part of Little Rock, Arkansas, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities that may appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community. With a range of dining options such as BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and Cracker Barrel nearby, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. Additionally, there are several places of worship in the area for spiritual comfort and fellowship. For medical needs, there are numerous physicians and hospitals within close proximity, including Premiere Gastroenterology Asso and CHI St Vincent Infirmary. Seniors can also easily access pharmacies like Custom Compounding Center and Walmart Pharmacy for their medication needs. The neighborhood also offers entertainment options with the Cinemark Colonel Glenn 18 And Xd theater nearby, as well as parks like Woodlands Edge Park for leisurely walks or relaxation. Ultimately, this neighborhood provides convenient access to essential services and amenities that make it a desirable location for senior living in Little Rock.

Restaurants

• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (0.5 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (0.6 miles)
• On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (1.7 miles)
• Purple Cow (1.7 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.9 miles)
• Khalil's Pub & Grill (1.9 miles)
• McAlister's Deli (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church At Rock Creek (0.7 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.3 miles)
• Second Presbyterian Church (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Premiere Gastroenterology Asso (1 miles)
• Rhys Branman, MD (1 miles)
• Arkansas Heart Hospital Clinic (1.1 miles)
• Arkansas Psychiatric Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Arkansas Internal Medicine (1.3 miles)
• Baptist Ortho (1.3 miles)
• Arkansas Prostate Cancer Center (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Hickingbotham Outpatient Center (1.4 miles)
• CHI St Vincent Infirmary (3.3 miles)
• Arkansas Federation Of Families For Children's Mental Health (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Custom Compounding Center (1.5 miles)
• Parkwest Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Sca Pharmaceuticals (1.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Cardinal Health (2.1 miles)
• Tabor, Jennifer M - Jennifer M Tabor (2.2 miles)
• Dziurkowski, Nicholas - Nicholas Dziurkowski (2.2 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Colonel Glenn 18 And Xd (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Hounds Lounge Pet Reso (1.5 miles)
• Woodlands Edge Park (1.8 miles)