Haven of Our Lady of Peace in Pensacola, FL

Pros

• The Haven is absolutely the best senior adult care facility in the Pensacola area.
• The Haven is a godsend to families, with an open line of communication.
• Mary Buckner and the staff provide thorough follow-up and clear answers.
• The Haven offers outstanding live-in rehabilitation and is highly recommended for rehab and long-term care.
• The facility is very clean, and the staff are amazing, kind, and caring.
• The care team delivers excellent care, with OT and PT services that residents value.
• Therapists are amazing, and care continues to be attentive even after discharge.
• Families feel informed and reassured by staff who keep them updated.

Cons

• The Haven is described as seriously understaffed, leading to delayed care and poor communication.
• A reviewer states a resident was left in soiled clothes for hours and not promptly helped.
• Several accounts claim residents developed UTIs or other complications due to inadequate monitoring and response.
• A private sitter reports a CNA on night shift was rude and unprofessional.
• There are reports of a bed bug problem at the facility.
• One relative says a loved one felt like they were in prison while there.
• A reviewer describes the care as reckless and negligent, nearly harming a husband.
• Multiple comments warn others not to send their loved ones there.

Review

Haven of Our Lady of Peace in Pensacola is best suited for families seeking post-acute rehab and short- to mid-term skilled nursing care where a strong therapy program and active discharge planning can drive a clear path back home. The facility earns its strongest praise from families and former residents who emphasize excellent physical and occupational therapy, a clean, comfortable environment, and a highly engaged team that communicates and follows through after discharge. When a loved one's goal is regain-ground - learning to walk again, rebuild independence, or recover after surgery or a hospital stay - this community often delivers on those objectives with therapists described as "AMAZING" and care teams that feel consistently attentive and approachable. For families prioritizing steady social contact, transparent updates, and a cohesive wraparound approach, Haven typically checks those boxes.

At the same time, the facility is not a universal fit. Alternatives may make more sense for those who need long-term placement with ironclad consistency, who require very high staffing stability around the clock, or who place an outsized premium on infection control and private room availability. Several reviews flag ongoing understaffing as a core risk, especially on nights and weekends, which can translate into slower call-response, limited assistance with activities of daily living, and muted communication at times. For families that cannot routinely advocate in person or who must rely on a nearly flawless cadence of daily care, the potential variability documented in some accounts argues for careful comparison with other providers.

The strongest positives - top-tier rehab, comprehensive therapy options, and thorough follow-up - often offset the downsides for short-term residents. Many reviewers highlight clean facilities, friendly staff, and meaningful progress during rehabilitation stays, with doctors, CNAs, and therapists praised for their professionalism and kindness. The care team's willingness to stay engaged after discharge - Mary Buckner and other coordinators repeatedly cited for proactive outreach - helps families feel supported beyond the walls of the facility. For families pursuing a program that treats recovery as a process with measurable forward movement, Haven's rehab focus, coupled with attentive social services, frequently produces tangible, homeward-bound outcomes.

Yet, the cons surfaced most vividly in longer-term or higher-need scenarios. Persistent understaffing, inconsistent food experience, and reported gaps in routine care can tilt the experience away from ideal for some residents. Instances of delayed response to call lights, uneven routine supervision, and a few highly critical personal experiences push some families to question whether the environment remains safe and consistently well-managed. A small - but real - subset of reviews describe situations where care appeared reactive rather than proactive, with concerns about infection risk, equipment reliability, and even care neglect. These narratives underscore the importance of daily family involvement, robust oversight, and a detailed, shared care plan when choosing Haven.

To make a well-founded decision, prospective families should demand practical assurances before admitting a loved one. Ask for current staffing ratios by shift, the?nurse-to-patient workload, and the therapy schedule with goals and expected timelines. Request a written discharge plan that clearly maps what happens after therapy ends, and insist on regular, documented progress updates. Tour the facility at different times to observe call-light responsiveness, bath and dressing assistance, and meal service quality, including menu choices and food temperatures. Finally, probe infection-control practices, bed maintenance, and the availability of private rooms, as well as how grievances are handled and escalated. A candid conversation with leadership about these specifics will reveal whether Haven can sustain the level of care the family needs.

In the end, Haven of Our Lady of Peace presents a compelling option for families prioritizing aggressive rehabilitation, compassionate day-to-day care, and a structured post-discharge pathway. It can be an excellent match for those who value robust therapy, transparent communication, and a team that genuinely treats recovery as a collaborative journey. However, the decision should be tempered by the realities of staffing variability and the mixed experiences described in some reviews. If long-term stability and unwavering daily attentiveness are non-negotiable, or if infection control and private-room availability are priorities, seriously compare Haven with other Pensacola options. When choosing Haven, enter with a plan: appoint a family liaison, demand explicit care goals, and maintain active involvement to ensure the hands-on care matches the high professional standards many residents have already embraced.

This part of Pensacola, Florida is a well-connected and convenient area with a range of amenities in close proximity. There are several dining options nearby, including Marble Slab Creamery, Chili's Grill & Bar, and Krystal. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices and hospitals within walking distance, such as Dr. Nolton & Associates and Sacred Heart Hospital. For those who enjoy a good cup of coffee, there are also cafes like Starbucks in the vicinity. Additionally, transportation is easily accessible with Pensacola International Airport just 0.9 miles away. Places of worship like Gateway Church of Christ and Gulf Coast Christian Church offer spiritual support to residents. Overall, this area provides a convenient and well-rounded environment for senior living.

Restaurants

• Marble Slab Creamery (0 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.1 miles)
• Krystal (0.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.2 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (0.2 miles)
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries (0.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.4 miles)

Physicians

• Dr. Nolton & Associates (0.1 miles)
• FSU Pediatric Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Center For Infections (0.2 miles)
• Pensacola Pathologists PA (0.2 miles)
• Ruben B. Timmons, MD (0.3 miles)
• Yazan M. Alsayed, MD (0.3 miles)
• Ortega Ted Dr (0.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Labor& delivery (0.1 miles)
• Sacred Heart Hospital (0.2 miles)
• Scared Heart Surgery Waiting Room 3rd Floor (0.2 miles)
• Sacred Heart Adult Intensive Care (0.2 miles)
• Sacred Heart Hospital Icu, Pensacola, Florida (0.3 miles)
• Pet/Ct Imaging Center of Northwest Florida (0.3 miles)
• Baptist Health Care Lab (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Coffee Guy Cafe (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Winn-Dixie (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Pensacola Apothecary (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.8 miles)

Theaters

• 4180 Amc Bayou 15 (0.6 miles)

Transportation

• Pensacola International Airport (PNS) (0.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Gateway Church of Christ (1.4 miles)
• Gulf Coast Christian Church (1.7 miles)
• Olive Baptist Church (2.5 miles)