Tandem Health Care

Pros

• Aviata at the Gardens has a home-like feel and is consistently clean.
• The staff welcome residents with open arms and treat them like family.
• The nurses and CNAs go above and beyond to support residents.
• The Director of Nursing, Monica, consistently finds time to listen.
• Paula and Tiffany from Social Services are highly appreciated for their guidance and support.
• Unit Managers Chelsea and Mel, along with Kanisha the wound care nurse, are highly regarded.
• The GNR nurses Tiffany, Latoya, Annie, and Sherry are exceptional.
• The activities department is loved by residents.
• Teresa, the DPE, is absolutely exceptional, polite, and helpful.

Cons

• The facility should be shut down and new staff hired because current staff seem more interested in a paycheck; very unprofessional.
• Worst place ever.
• There is neglect at the facility, making it hard to get baths, medications, adequate nutrition, or help getting out of bed.
• The rooms reek of urine and smell terrible.
• Soiled clothes are left in closets and not washed promptly, causing a terrible odor.
• This facility needs a mandatory inspection immediately.
• Some staff appear to sit around during visits instead of assisting residents.
• The place smells horrible.
• Broken plates and coffee grounds are found on the floor, indicating a lack of cleaning or sanitation.

Review

Aviata at the Gardens in Tallahassee emerges in the feedback as a place with a strong sense of community and care, especially from many of the nurses, CNAs, and social services staff. A resident who moved in June 2024 describes a setting that surprised them in a positive way: a clean facility with a home-like feel rather than a hospital environment. The early impression centers on warm welcomes and a culture that aims to treat residents like family. Across multiple comments, the consistent thread is that the environment is tidy and inviting, with residents and their families praising the way staff create a comfortable atmosphere designed to feel less institutional.

Central to the praise are the individual staff members who seem to go above and beyond in daily interactions. Nurses and CNAs are repeatedly highlighted for attentiveness and dedication. The Director of Nursing, Monica, is noted for making time to listen to residents and families, while the Social Services team, especially Paula and Tiffany, receives frequent thanks for guiding families and helping with difficult transitions. Unit Managers Chelsea and Mel receive commendations for their leadership on the units, and Kanisha, the wound care nurse, is singled out as outstanding. In the GNR (likely a geriatric or general nurse) group, Tiffany, Latoya, Sherry, and others are repeatedly described as compassionate and professional. Teresa Youmas, identified as the Director of Patient Experience, is lauded for her professionalism, responsiveness, and visible commitment to residents and families.

The positivity extends to specific departments and daily routines that residents and families enjoy. Several reviewers mention the activities department with enthusiasm, describing ongoing programs and engagement that contribute to a sense of community within the facility. There are additional nods to dietary staff, who provide pleasant dining experiences, including enjoyable pancake breakfasts on Wednesdays. The sense of teamwork among nurses, CNAs, and unit leadership is repeatedly portrayed as cohesive and supportive, with some reviewers emphasizing that staff members work hard to prevent burnout and ensure residents' needs are met. The overall tone in these reviews is one of gratitude and admiration for the care and consideration shown by staff - especially for Teresa Youmas and Paula, who are repeatedly recognized as key figures in creating a positive resident experience.

Beyond individual praise, several comments celebrate the atmosphere and the way facility leadership communicates with families. A recurring theme is that the environment is welcoming and respectful, with residents and their relatives feeling heard and valued. One reviewer even notes that the director personally listens and makes effort to address concerns, suggesting a leadership style that prioritizes relationship-building and transparency. In such accounts, reviewers feel safe recommending Aviata at the Gardens to others seeking care for loved ones, thanks largely to the people who make up the care teams and the leadership that supports them.

However, not all feedback mirrors the same level of enthusiasm. A number of reviewers express serious concerns about care quality, safety, and cleanliness. Some families report neglectful experiences, describing difficulties with basic needs such as baths, medications, and sufficient nutrition. Other accounts describe a persistent and unpleasant odor stemming from rooms, with some rooms described as being replete with urine odors and overall unclean conditions. Specific observations include dirty or broken items, such as broken plates and unwashed clothes, and situations where soiled clothes are not promptly cleaned, creating a troubling odor and unhygienic conditions. In these reviews, families express frustration with what they view as insufficient staffing or inconsistent care practices, and there are calls to action - ranging from requesting direct improvements to urging regulatory oversight.

One strongly worded account even characterizes the facility as needing a mandatory inspection, citing weight loss in a family member, missed care for meals, and rooms that smelled of urine. This reviewer describes the patient's rapid weight loss, the presence of soiled clothes, and a general sense of neglect, asserting that staff were not effectively attending to safety or comfort. There is also mention of a complaint to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, underscoring the seriousness of the concerns raised by the family. In contrast to these concerns, other readers note that while some staff are professional and caring, there remains a perception of uneven quality across shifts or units, with positive experiences coexisting alongside troubling reports.

Taken together, the feedback paints a nuanced portrait of Aviata at the Gardens. For many residents and families, the facility offers a clean, welcoming environment with a compassionate, responsive group of nurses, CNAs, and social services staff. Leadership figures like Teresa Youmas and Paula appear to play pivotal roles in shaping the resident experience, earning broad appreciation for their approach to communication and problem-solving. Yet there are also pointed critiques emphasizing gaps in care, consistency, and sanitation that some families feel require urgent attention. The overall picture is one of contrast: strong, compassionate care and a supportive culture in many moments, shadowed by serious concerns about hygiene, sustained neglect, and the need for improved staffing and accountability in others. Potential families and residents are likely to encounter both faces of Aviata at the Gardens and will want to weigh these perspectives when considering whether it is the right fit for their loved ones.

This part of Tallahassee, Florida, is a well-equipped and convenient area to consider for senior living. With a variety of physicians' offices, radiology centers, and specialized medical facilities within close proximity, residents can easily access healthcare services. There are also several cafes and restaurants nearby offering a range of dining options. Pharmacies are readily available for medication needs, making it convenient for seniors to refill prescriptions. In case of emergencies, several hospitals are located within a short distance. Additionally, there is a place of worship nearby for spiritual support and community engagement. Overall, this part of Tallahassee provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking convenience and access to essential services.

Physicians

• Radiology Associates of Tallahassee (0.1 miles)
• Women's Imaging Center (0.2 miles)
• Alfredo Nova (0.2 miles)
• Eastwood Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Florida Cancer Specialists (0.2 miles)
• Spine And Wellness Center (0.2 miles)
• Hematology-Oncology Assoc (0.2 miles)

Cafes

• Freshroots Kitchen (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.2 miles)
• Lucky Goat Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Zaxby's (0.8 miles)
• Ology Brewing Company (0.9 miles)
• Jersey Mike's (0.9 miles)
• Hardee's (1 miles)
• Moe's Southwest Grill (1 miles)
• Las Brazas Mexican Grill (1.1 miles)
• Firehouse Subs (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• WellPack Pharmacy: Compounding & Wellness (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Stewart's Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Women's Pavillion (1.1 miles)
• District 2 medical examiners office at TMH (1.2 miles)
• Capital Medical Oncology Unit (1.3 miles)
• Tallahassee Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Tallahassee Community Hospital (1.3 miles)
• DaVita (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Easthill Baptist Church (1.6 miles)