Willows Center Sub-Acute

Pros

• The nurses and CNAs are caring and compassionate.
• The staff are polite and helpful.
• The therapy staff (Geri, Sharon, Jake, and Kat) are highly appreciated for their care.
• Willows Post Acute treats residents with compassion and dignity and provides personalized care.
• The staff are knowledgeable about residents and coordinate across departments to reach common goals.
• Discharge planning, led by Courtney and Courtney Guest, is thorough, proactive, and communicative.
• Families report attentive, respectful, and professional care.
• The facility is clean, neat, and well managed, with caring leadership.
• Staff help residents regain strength and return home.
• The place has remained COVID-free and is described as wonderful, supportive, and caring.

Cons

• The staff do not respond promptly to call lights, leaving residents waiting for hours for help and sometimes needing to use a bedpan.
• The facility is accused of trying to take money from patients' pockets for supplies funded by insurance, suggesting financial exploitation.
• The scheduling staff member is described as bossy and rude, making patients feel spoken to like an uneducated child.
• The nursing staff are friendly but do not communicate as well with patients as they do with families, indicating a shortfall in patient-centered communication.

Review

Across a broad spectrum of voices, Willows Post Acute emerges as a place where recovery, compassion, and personalized care are put at the center of every patient's journey. Several reviewers describe their stays as genuinely pleasant and transformative, noting that the young or old, post-surgery or in rehabilitation, are treated with warmth and respect. The nurses and certified nursing assistants are repeatedly praised for their caring, attentive, and compassionate approach, and many comment on how this positive atmosphere supports recovery and a hopeful outlook as they work toward going home.

A recurring thread runs through the notes of gratitude for the therapy team. Reviewers specifically name Geri, Sharon, Jake, and Kat as standout therapists who contribute to meaningful progress. The therapy experience is described as rigorous and effective, with patients feeling stronger and more capable each day. One reviewer highlights how the overall therapy program, along with the dedicated staff, helps shorten the road to home, emphasizing that the effort of the therapy team translates into tangible gains in strength and independence.

Families also emphasize the remarkable role of discharge planning and social work in coordinating smooth transitions back to home or to nearer facilities. Courtney, the Social Service Director, appears repeatedly as a linchpin in communicating with families, coordinating care plans, and guiding patients and loved ones through complex transitions. Courtney Guest, in particular, is singled out as a "ROCK STAR" discharge planner whose follow-through and professional presence are described as breath of fresh air. Several reviews credit Courtney with keeping everyone informed, outlining discharge steps clearly, and helping families navigate the often difficult process of moving from hospital to post-acute care or to a home setting.

Personal stories illustrate the profound impact of Willows Post Acute on individual lives. One uncle's journey after a serious accident is highlighted: from admission to walking again and regaining independence, thanks to compassionate, knowledgeable staff who work across departments to pursue a common goal. This coordinated, patient-centered approach is described as a model of how a facility should operate - personalized care, attention to discharge goals, and a supportive environment that makes a hard journey more manageable. Families repeatedly express gratitude for the way the staff, including therapy and social work, helped their loved ones regain strength and return to daily life.

Beyond the care of direct medical and rehabilitation services, several accounts praise the overall environment and the staff's dedication. Some families feel the facility is well-kept, professional, and capable of delivering comprehensive care, particularly appreciating the efforts of team members who communicate well with families about treatment plans and progress. In one long-standing testimonial, staff members are described as going "above and beyond" during multiple stays or episodes, underscoring a culture of commitment that extends to transitions, ongoing updates, and steady support.

Yet not every review lands on the same positive trajectory. A few voices raise concerns about responsiveness and one-on-one attention. One account describes delays in assistance when patients need help, with references to being left waiting and issues with call lights. There is also commentary about a particular staff member responsible for scheduling who came across as bossy or rude, underscoring a desire for more respectful, patient-centered communication and better transparency with patients. Another line of critique points to room for improvement in how the facility communicates with patients directly, not just with families, and to more timely responses to night-time requests.

There is a more troubling note about perceived financial practices, with one reviewer alleging pressure to pay out-of-pocket for supplies that were supposed to be covered by insurance. The critique is blunt - an accusation that staff seek to extract extra money and a sentiment that "no stars" would be appropriate if such concerns reflect reality. That perspective stands in stark contrast to the many glowing endorsements and highlights the reality that patient experience at a facility can be shaped by both compassionate care and concerns about billing practices. It serves as a stark reminder that facilities must maintain clear, ethical, and transparent financial processes to preserve trust.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents a facility with a strong core of dedicated professionals who excel in therapy, nursing care, and discharge planning. The standout contributions of Courtney (and Courtney Guest) and, in some accounts, Jennifer Griffith and Christine, illustrate how personal connection and proactive communication can make a meaningful difference in families' experiences during stressful times. At the same time, the criticisms about call lights, patient-to-staff communication, and concerns about billing practices highlight areas for ongoing attention. For families evaluating Willows Post Acute, the prevailing message is clear: the staff who deliver daily care are often exceptional, and the facility offers valuable services - especially in rehabilitation and coordinated discharge planning - but prospective residents and families should also assess personal experiences, speak with current residents and staff, and verify concerns about bedside responsiveness and financial practices to form a complete picture.

This part of Willows, California, offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With several places of worship nearby such as St Monica's Catholic Church and First Baptist Church, residents have opportunities for spiritual fulfillment. Additionally, there are multiple physicians and medical facilities in close proximity, including Glenn Medical Center, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts a selection of restaurants and cafes like La Cascada Restaurant and Starbucks for convenient dining options. For recreation, residents can enjoy parks like Willows City Recreation Department or Library Park. Transportation options are readily available with Willows-Glenn County Airport and U-Haul services nearby. There are also several pharmacies such as Owens Healthcare and CVS Pharmacy for medication needs. Overall, this community provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in Willows.

Places of Worship

• St Monica's Catholic Church (0.1 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Willows (0.4 miles)
• Mennonite Church of God In Christ (0.5 miles)
• St Monicas Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• Ark Christian Center (0.6 miles)
• Calvary Temple Pentecostal Church of God (0.8 miles)
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ackerman Barbara L MD Barbara Ackerman, MD (0.2 miles)
• Dr Reid's Office (0.2 miles)
• Orland Children's Center (15.5 miles)
• First Care Medical Group (15.6 miles)
• Wayne J.W. Syn DDS - Comprehensive, Laser and Esthetic Dentistry (15.6 miles)
• Colusa Indian Health Clinic (21 miles)
• Chico Eye Center (23.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Glenn Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Enloe Medical Center (24.1 miles)
• Enloe Radiology Department (24.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Willows Black Bear Diner (0.3 miles)
• La Cascada Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Burger King (0.4 miles)
• Casa Ramos Mexican Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• The Last Stand Bar & G (0.7 miles)

Parks

• Willows City Recreation Department (0.3 miles)
• Library Park (15.3 miles)
• City Of Orland-Recreation (15.4 miles)
• Lely Aquatic Park (15.4 miles)
• Eaton Village Dog Park (24 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Carte Blanche (0.6 miles)
• Nancy's Airport Cafe (0.7 miles)
• 4th St Cafe & Bakery (15.4 miles)
• Starbucks (15.6 miles)
• I 5 Cafe and Creamery (15.8 miles)
• Chatterbox Cafe (22.9 miles)

Transportation

• Willows-Glenn County Airport (WLW) (0.5 miles)
• United Airlines (0.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1 miles)
• Whifflemaster Guide Service (12.3 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (13.5 miles)
• Chico Amtrak (CIC) (23.6 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (24 miles)

Pharmacies

• Owens Healthcare (15.5 miles)
• Orland Care Pharmacy (15.5 miles)
• Orland Pharmacy (15.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (15.6 miles)
• Walgreens (15.6 miles)
• Walgreens (23.4 miles)
• Kindcare Pharmacy and Medical Supply (23.5 miles)