Ponce De Leon Care Ctr in St. Augustine, FL

Pros

• The staff are helpful and personable.
• The nursing staff is top notch and the physical therapists are excellent.
• They receive excellent care and the meals are very good.
• The rehab staff is excellent.
• The CNAs and nurses are attentive, compassionate, and skilled.
• The activities director is incredibly caring and keeps residents engaged.
• Yadi handles discharge planning very well.
• The facility is clean, well maintained, and welcoming.
• The team provides exceptional care and treats residents with dignity.

Cons

• The reviewer says the facility is terrible and would report them to Medicare for neglect.
• They claim the center is severely understaffed and that CNAs avoid work, with only Heather as an exception.
• The reviewer states management has never apologized and has not addressed concerns for years.
• They report that nurses are rude and unable to answer questions, and that front desk staff lack customer service.
• They describe the place as horrible and even say it should be shut down.
• They recount safety and care failures, such as missed oxygen deliveries during discharge.
• They complain the food is awful and not nutritious.
• They say the building is dirty, hot, loud, chaotic, and smells of urine.
• They assert memory care is not adequately staffed to handle dementia-related behaviors.

Review

The Ponce Therapy Care Center in St. Augustine, widely known as The Ponce, is best suited for families seeking a recovery?focused environment where strong rehabilitation, hands?on nursing care, and proactive discharge planning drive outcomes. When a loved one is recovering from surgery, a stroke, or a serious illness, and the objective is to regain mobility and return home, this community frequently delivers meaningful progress. The therapy teams, supported by committed CNAs and nurses, create a rhythm of care that emphasizes therapeutic momentum, daily improvement, and clear, proactive communication about care plans.

Those who should consider alternatives are families with priority on constant, around?the?clock supervision or specialized dementia care. Several reviews flag variable staffing levels and inconsistent responsiveness, which can translate into delays and gaps in communication. For families who require unwavering reliability in med management, immediate attention to needs, and comprehensive memory?care capabilities, other options may offer greater predictability and peace of mind. If transparency and steady, fully resourced oversight are non?negotiable, it pays to explore other facilities as part of the decision process.

The strongest advantages offset many of the potential drawbacks. The Ponce's therapy program earns frequent praise for skill and encouragement, with therapists, physical and occupational, often singled out for producing real gains. Wound care is described as thorough, and discharge planning - principally through leaders like Yadi - helps coordinate safe, home?bound transitions. The facility's cleanliness, together with an active activities department, contributes to a sense of well?being during a challenging recovery period. For families prioritizing tangible mobility improvements and clear care trajectories, these factors make a compelling case to choose The Ponce.

However, the main cons are real and repeatedly highlighted: understaffing, uneven responsiveness, and occasional lapses in communication. Some reviewers report long waits for assistance, missed calls, and a perceived drift in accountability around care conferences and updates. Medication management concerns and equipment safety issues surface in a subset of reviews, along with critiques of food quality and variety. These critiques undermine confidence for residents who require steady, predictable care and a consistently attentive administrative backbone. Before deciding, it is prudent to verify current staffing levels, the process for care conferences, and the facility's safety and medication protocols.

The reality is not one?sided. Many families recount genuine relief and gratitude for the compassionate care, strong therapy outcomes, and the daily warmth of caregivers. The same stories celebrate discharge planners who ease transitions and activities staff who keep residents engaged, all of which contribute to a positive, home?like atmosphere. Yet consistency remains a concern for some, with turnover, administrative friction, and infrastructure issues cited as ongoing obstacles. Prospective residents should weigh the strong clinical gains against the risk of uneven day?to?day experiences and the potential for gaps in communication.

Decision?makers should approach The Ponce with a clear plan. For rehab?driven cases, insist on detailed, up?to?date therapy progress metrics, a stated discharge plan, and a guaranteed care?conference cadence. Verify the current nurse?to?resident ratio, confirm med administration practices, and request examples of recent care conferences to assess transparency. If memory care or 24/7 oversight is required, compare this center to alternatives with established memory?care pathways and fewer reports of communication gaps. In the right circumstances - where recovery progress, compassionate staffing, and a structured discharge pathway align with family expectations - The Ponce Therapy Care Center proves to be a solid, capable option.

This area of St. Augustine, Florida, is a vibrant and convenient location for senior living. With several physicians' offices, pharmacies, and a surgery center all within close proximity, residents will have easy access to healthcare services. The variety of cafes and restaurants nearby provide plenty of dining options for leisurely meals or quick bites. Additionally, the parks and places of worship in the area offer opportunities for relaxation and spiritual enrichment. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking to settle in a bustling yet charming community in St. Augustine.

Physicians

• Ted Brink & Associates Cobblestone (0.1 miles)
• Billy Pitapong Vanasupa, DO (0.2 miles)
• St Augustine Imaging Center (0.2 miles)
• St Augustine Endoscopy Center (0.2 miles)
• FM Medical- Michaels Scott, MD (0.2 miles)
• Florida O & P Services (0.3 miles)
• First Coast Hearing Clinic (0.3 miles)

Cafes

• Kekes Breakfast Café (0.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.2 miles)
• The Kookaburra (2.2 miles)
• Relampago Coffee Lab (2.2 miles)
• Harbor View Cafe (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Rx-Mart Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1 miles)
• Oldest Drugstore (2.4 miles)
• Moultrie Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• St Augustine Surgery Center (0.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Carrabba's Italian Grill (0.2 miles)
• Cantina Louie (0.3 miles)
• Wendy's (0.4 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• Applebee's (0.4 miles)
• Everything Bagel (0.5 miles)

Parks

• Dr Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park (1.3 miles)
• Maria Sanchez Lake (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Memorial Presbyterian Church (2.1 miles)
• Mission of Nombre de Dios & La Leche Shrine (2.8 miles)