Russell Nursing Home

Pros

• The center is spacious and clean.
• The food looked good.
• The attendants were caring and helpful and answered questions.
• The staff were helpful and the place was clean.
• Everyone was extremely nice and polite.
• The environment is beautiful and the staff is great.
• The facility is amazing.
• Everyone is sweet and patient.
• The staff has been very helpful and kind to residents.
• The staff were very nice and guided visitors through the check-in process and to their friend's room.
• Everyone was welcoming and friendly.
• The Director of Nursing was detailed in showing the units and staff; residents looked happy.
• The staff is wonderful and the rooms are clean; they take great care of residents.
• The facility has made a good impression so far for new admissions.
• The staff is very respectful and treats residents well.
• The facility is lovely; staff were welcoming, and it is bright and clean.
• The facility was clean and workers were very helpful.
• The social services team were very helpful.
• The lobby looked clean and modern; visitors felt welcome and the staff were responsive.
• Check-in was amazing; the facility and staff were clean.

Cons

• A reviewer would give zero stars, stating that a patient left rehab the same day with no help.
• The reviewer notes the patient had to walk to her room without any assistance.
• The reviewer reports there were no sheets, pillows, or blankets on the bed, and staff said none were available.
• The reviewer describes sharing a room with a long-term resident who told her to "shut up."
• The reviewer states the food was thrown into the room like a dog's bowl.
• The reviewer says no one helped the patient to the bathroom.
• The reviewer describes leaving the patient sitting in urine and feces, with no water provided.
• The reviewer claims the facility is woefully understaffed and medications were administered late.
• The reviewer would not trust the facility with a pet turtle.

Review

The patient care center comes through in many accounts as a space that feels roomy, bright, and well-kept. Several visitors describe the facility as spacious and clean, with a beautiful environment that immediately gives a sense of calm. The check-in process is often noted as smooth and welcoming, and many commenters compliment the front desk and admissions staff for guiding visitors and getting loved ones settled. In particular, some reviewers highlight the admissions team (including a nurse named Jackson in one note) for listening well and helping to place relatives where they could receive care. Across many visits, the overarching impression is of a place that cares about its appearance and the first impression it makes on families.

A consistent thread throughout the reviews is the appreciation for the staff's warmth and attentiveness. Numerous visitors describe attendants as caring, helpful, and patient, with many remarking on the sincere, "from the heart" quality of the care they observed. People repeatedly mention smiling faces, kindness from nurses, CNAs, and kitchen staff, and a sense that the staff genuinely wants residents to do well. Some specific anecdotes stand out, such as the director of nursing taking time to explain the units and introduce the family to the various team members, or social services teams that made families feel supported and informed. Overall, the staff appears to be the strongest positive element for many families.

Families also share positive experiences regarding the residents' daily life and overall environment. Comments celebrate the clean rooms, well-maintained facilities, and the general sense that residents look happy and well cared for. Several notes mention that the staff take good care of people they know personally within the building, and others describe the facility as clean, bright, and welcoming during visits. A few reviewers point to specific teams or individuals - rehab staff as particularly dedicated, security staff as friendly, and admissions personnel as excellent - as examples of the high level of service they experienced. For some families, the center feels like a supportive community where their loved ones can thrive.

However, there are important cautions that accompany the praise. A number of reviews recount highly troubling experiences that paint a very different picture. One reviewer delivered a stark warning after a rehabilitation stay that ended the same day, detailing a lack of basic care: no assistance to move to a room, no sheets or blankets, a resident who treated her rudely, and a failure to provide basic needs like bedding and food. The note emphasizes that bedside manner is crucial in this field and suggests that a failure in this area can be devastating for families. Another family describes extreme neglect: no water for the resident, periods where the resident was left sitting in urine and feces, and a pattern of nurses not responding promptly to calls, ultimately leaving them worried and distressed about the level of care.

Additional criticisms touch on broader operational challenges: some reviewers report understaffing, delayed medication administration, and inconsistent responses to residents' needs. In one jarring account, the environment was described as having a smell of feces and urine, with patients wandering the halls and safety and hygiene concerns raised about routine care. Food offerings were also a point of contention for some, including remarks about meal quality and timing, where meals did come but did not always align with a stated schedule or the expectations set by the facility's own marketing. There are even comparisons to what was shown on the facility's website, with one visitor noting that the actual rooms and meals did not resemble the online videos, which understandably left them frustrated and disappointed.

The mix of experiences underscores a central takeaway: the center can be a place of genuine care and comfort for many residents and their families, but it also has episodes of severe lapses that can have real, lasting consequences for those involved. Some reviewers experience it as the kind of caring, patient-centered environment they hoped for - where staff are respectful, rooms are clean, and families feel welcome. Others tell stories of neglect, inadequate bedside care, and systemic shortcomings that erode trust and safety. The divergent voices suggest that while the facility holds a strong potential for positive outcomes, the level of care can vary widely and is highly dependent on day-to-day conditions, staffing, and individual interactions.

For families considering this center, the collective picture invites careful, on-site observation and proactive communication. The positive experiences highlight what the facility can offer when staffing is sufficient, morale is high, and staff members are able to connect with residents on a personal level. The negative accounts serve as critical reminders to verify current practices around hydration, assistance with daily activities, timely medication delivery, and the overall respect and dignity afforded to residents. In short, the center seems capable of delivering excellent, heartful care, but prospective families should engage directly with administration, visit during different times of day, and ask pointed questions about staffing levels, care protocols, and what they can expect for their loved one's specific needs.

This area of Winder, Georgia offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With a selection of restaurants such as Krystal, Golden Corral, and Arby's within close proximity, dining options are plentiful. Additionally, pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are easily accessible for medication needs. Nearby physicians' offices such as North Georgia Eye Care and Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Center provide healthcare services in close proximity. Parks like Fort Yargo State Park and Bethlehem Park offer opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Barrow Regional Medical Center is conveniently located for medical emergencies, while entertainment options include the AMC CLASSIC Bethlehem 12 theater. Places of worship such as Walnut Fork Baptist Church and Graystone Church cater to spiritual needs, while cafes like Starbucks offer a cozy environment for socializing with friends. Overall, this part of Winder provides a well-rounded community with essential services tailored to senior living needs.

Restaurants

• Krystal (0.1 miles)
• Golden Corral (0.4 miles)
• Arby's (0.9 miles)
• Zaxby's (0.9 miles)
• Friends Winder Grill (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Ingles Market (1.7 miles)
• Barrow Pharmacy (6.6 miles)
• Ingles Market (7.6 miles)
• West Jackson Medicine Center (8.2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (11.3 miles)

Physicians

• Allergy Partners of Georgia (1.2 miles)
• North Georgia Eye Care (1.2 miles)
• Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Center of Winder (1.6 miles)
• Vision Source Winder (1.6 miles)
• North Broad Family Practice (1.8 miles)
• Georgia Dermatologic Surgery Centers PC (1.9 miles)
• Schlossberg Richard Md Faafp (6.8 miles)

Parks

• Fort Yargo State Park (1.3 miles)
• Bethlehem Park (3.3 miles)
• West Jackson Park (8.3 miles)
• Harbins Park (9.4 miles)
• Little Mulberry Park (11.2 miles)
• Tribble Mill Park (12.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Barrow Regional Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Piedmont Urgent Care - Barrow (3.2 miles)
• Athens Regional Hospital (11 miles)
• Specialty Orthopaedics (12 miles)

Theaters

• AMC CLASSIC Bethlehem 12 (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hmong New Hope Alliance Church (9.1 miles)
• Walnut Fork Baptist Church (10 miles)
• Prince Avenue Baptist Church (10.3 miles)
• Graystone Church (11.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (11.2 miles)
• Starbucks (11.3 miles)