PruitHealth - Augusta Hills

Pros

• The facility has exceptional staff, a caring atmosphere, and phenomenal facilities.
• The facility and its staff are wonderful.
• The facility is great.
• The staff welcomed families with open arms and were attentive to their loved one's needs.
• Ariel Walton is highly helpful, attentive, and goes above and beyond for families.
• The rehabilitation staff are on point, and the Activities Director keeps residents engaged.
• The staff are caring and take great care of residents, making the facility a trusted place for loved ones.
• The admissions team, particularly Ariel Walton, provides attentive service from admission to discharge.
• The care at Augusta Hills is magnificent, with staff paying attention to every detail and greeting visitors warmly.

Cons

• No one answers the phone, and family requests go unmet.
• The administration is focused on Medicaid billing, leaving many patients for years without therapy and receiving only subpar care.
• Pruitt Nursing Home is accused of neglecting, overdosing, and abusing residents.
• About 90 percent of the staff are rude and unprofessional.
• Residents are reportedly overdosed, which does not help the disabled.
• A family member's aunt reportedly declined after admission, with weight loss, bruises, and hair cut without permission.
• Clothes, a wheelchair, and prosthetics were misplaced or lost; the resident had to use a cowbell to call for a nurse.
• Attempts to video-call a relative often resulted in long waits or no response.
• Families felt there is little time to talk with loved ones and staff did not listen.
• The facility was described as horrible and not recommended.
• The facility was said to be unclean, with bugs crawling on the floor, and theft was alleged.
• A reviewer claimed this is the third instance of abuse/neglect at the facility.
• A family member received distressing photos implying their mother had died, causing significant distress.

Review

The collection of reviews paints a broad and nuanced portrait of PruittHealth Augusta Hills and related PruittHealth facilities. Across the comments, there is a strong undercurrent of appreciation for the people who work there, coupled with serious concerns about communication, consistency, and in some cases patient safety. Several families describe experiences that felt genuinely compassionate and family-centered, while others recount troubling issues that they say undermined trust and raised questions about care quality.

Many reviewers repeatedly highlight exceptional staff, a caring atmosphere, and notable facilities. Phrases like "exceptional staff, caring atmosphere, and phenomenal facilities" recur in enthusiastic reviews, and several families credit specific teams and individuals with making a positive difference. Nurses and CNAs are described as attentive, patient, and dedicated to understanding each resident's unique routines and preferences - learning work habits, eating patterns, and even idiosyncrasies to better tailor care. The impression many share is that staff kindness and a welcoming environment can transform a difficult experience into something manageable and, at times, comforting for both residents and their families.

Ariel Walton, the Admissions Director at Augusta Hills, stands out in many accounts. Several reviewers single her out as especially helpful, approachable, and proactive - from admission through discharge. They describe her as delightful, willing to go above and beyond, and a key point of contact who put families at ease during what can be a stressful process. Other staff members also receive frequent praise: the rehabilitation team (PT), the activities director (Ms. Jovani), and other care professionals who stayed engaged with residents and their families. The sense conveyed by these comments is that, when the care team is aligned and proactive, residents can enjoy meaningful engagement, steady progress, and daily experiences that feel respectful and attentive.

Family narratives also emphasize the human aspects of care - welcome, warmth, regular updates, and the feeling of belonging. Several reviews describe feeling like part of a "family" rather than just a patient. Instances of open communication during visits, the presence of staff who greet families warmly, and efforts to keep relatives informed contributed to positive impressions. For some residents, the facilities themselves and the opportunities for social and therapeutic activities - such as events, hands-on therapy, and even moments like a food truck visit - are highlighted as meaningful, morale-boosting elements of the experience.

Alongside the praise, however, there are persistent and troubling concerns raised by others. A number of reviewers report communication breakdowns and accessibility problems, such as phones not being answered or call buttons not being responded to promptly. One reviewer notes that "the administration is focused on Medicaid billing," with implications that some patients may remain in the system longer than ideal or receive fewer therapeutic opportunities. Several comments describe facilities that were not clean, with issues like bugs on floors and general cleanliness problems, which understandably erode trust and comfort.

More severely, a cluster of reviews contains serious allegations about neglect and mistreatment. Some families describe situations where residents were not lifted, bathed, or properly cared for, and where medical issues were missed or inadequately addressed. There are accounts of missed or delayed communications about health concerns, as well as reports of hair being cut without consent, bruises and sores, and other signs that families found distressing. A number of commenters explicitly urge investigations or express strong concerns about abuse, overmedication, and neglect, asserting that these problems go far beyond ordinary care gaps. These accounts are presented as the experiences of specific families and should be treated as allegations by those reviewers rather than established facts.

The spectrum of reviews also includes hopeful reversals and reassurances. Some families arrived with skepticism due to negative postings but found care teams that impressed them: staff who were patient, responsive, and capable; admissions and rehabilitation staff who demonstrated genuine concern for well-being; and physicians and practitioners who helped residents regain function and improve overall health. In many such stories, families express relief and gratitude for attentive care, practical supports, and a sense that their loved ones were treated with dignity and respect.

Taken together, the reviews sketch a facility (and related locations) with a strong potential for positive, compassionate care when the right people are involved and when communication flows smoothly. They also underscore critical areas needing attention: consistent, reliable communication; rigorous adherence to standards of safety and cleanliness; and ongoing oversight to address concerns about potential neglect or abuse. For families evaluating care options, the accounts suggest that the human touch - staff who listen, explain, and partner with families - can make a substantial difference. At the same time, they serve as a cautionary reminder that organizational processes, transparency, and safeguarding practices are essential to ensure every resident receives safe, high-quality care day after day.

This part of Augusta, Georgia offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for senior living. There are several restaurants nearby, including The 8595, Waffle House, and S & S Cafeteria, providing convenient dining options. Additionally, there are multiple physicians' offices and pharmacies in close proximity, such as Doctor's Walk-In Clinic and Summerville Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. For recreational activities, Riverview Park Activities Center is only 2 miles away. Nearby hospitals include University Hospital Summerville and Children's Hospital Of Georgia for any medical needs. Transportation is also accessible with Daniel Field Airport nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences that could make it a suitable location for senior living in Augusta.

Restaurants

• The 8595 (0.1 miles)
• Waffle House (0.9 miles)
• S & S Cafeteria (0.9 miles)
• Krystal (1 miles)
• French Market Grille (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Doctor's Walk-In Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Augusta Women's Center (0.6 miles)
• Academy of Women's & Children's Health (0.7 miles)
• Santo Nino Pediatric Clinic PC (0.8 miles)
• Women's Health of Augusta (0.9 miles)
• Family Medicine Associates of Augusta III MD (0.9 miles)
• Georgia Dermatology (0.9 miles)

Cafes

• Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Summerville Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Medical Villa Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Augusta Uptown VAMC Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• University Hospital Summerville (0.9 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital Augusta (1.1 miles)
• Charlie Norwood VA Hospital Augusta (1.2 miles)
• Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Children's Hospital Of Georgia (1.3 miles)
• Georgia Cancer Center (1.5 miles)
• Univetsity Hospital POB II (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• Daniel Field Airport (DNL) (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Riverview Park Activities Center (2 miles)
• Eisenhower Park (2.8 miles)

Theaters

• GTC Riverwatch 12 Cinemas (3.2 miles)