Idaho State Veterans Home

Pros

• The staff provide compassionate care.
• The facility is always clean and pleasant.
• It is a great place that cares for veterans.
• The staff are great and the environment is friendly.
• The staff are awesome and the residents are good people.
• The staff are very friendly and the volunteers are extremely active in the community.
• The social work program is amazing.
• It is a great place to volunteer; the atmosphere is welcoming.

Cons

• Visitors weren't allowed inside.
• Veterans are forgotten by many.
• The activities department is dog crap.
• Residents pay $1,375 to live there with little private time, and med times four times a day feel like living hostage.
• There is no access to controlled medications.
• The new administrator Randell Barns is a real PR-type of person.
• Veterans are not the easiest people to work for because some can be so damn demanding.
• Some staff don't care for their jobs.

Review

Across the collection of voices left by family members, veterans, volunteers, and staff, one clear theme emerges: a veterans home that many people describe as a place of genuine care, supported by a dedicated team. One person leads with a simple appreciation: my brother receives compassionate care from a great staff. Another reflects on a parent's long tenure, saying there are "nothing but positive things to say about my dad's 7 years here." The sense conveyed is that, despite the daily routines of any care facility, the people who work here are often the heart of the experience.

The everyday environment is repeatedly praised for its cleanliness and welcoming atmosphere. Reviewers note that it's "always so clean and pleasant," an impression that compounds the positive feelings about how residents are treated. The facility is described as a place that cares for veterans with a tone of respect and attention to detail. Those who visit or volunteer consistently remark on the neat, orderly surroundings and the kind, patient demeanor of staff as they move through meals, activities, and daily routines.

Compassion extends beyond the walls of the building and into acts of community and giving back. Several notes highlight the holiday spirit and the idea of lending a hand to those who served. There's even a sense that the home could be a focal point for broader acts of kindness - "think about the vets they could use some love and attention." Slogans about honoring veterans and providing support during difficult times are woven into the narratives, underscoring a shared belief that this is a place where residents are valued and remembered.

Volunteers and staff alike are described as deeply engaged. One reviewer recounts helping a friend with placement and being thrilled with the service, while another emphasizes the enthusiasm of volunteers: "Awesome staff and the guys are good people too. Love going there and the love the company." The sentiment is that the environmental warmth - the friendly staff, the welcoming volunteers, and the sense of community - helps create a space where veterans feel seen, heard, and supported.

The facility's strengths are particularly evident in the social work program and the daily operations that support residents' well-being. An "amazing social work program" is credited to the team, with specific praise for Oni and the entire staff. The food is highlighted as well, noted as "excellent for the volume and complex diets of some residents." In many ways, this is a place that demonstrates thorough care: careful attention to nutrition, social engagement, and meaningful activities that keep residents connected to life beyond the walls.

Of course, not all feedback is uniformly rosy. A handful of reviewers voice more critical experiences that temper the overall sentiment. Some describe limited private time and a substantial cost of living within the facility - "I pay 1,375.00 to live here with little private time unless I take off for the day." There are concerns about the management and administrative style, with one commenter describing the new administrator as a "real PR type" and noting that veterans can be demanding to work with. Another comment laments gaps in certain services, such as an activities department that could be improved despite a substantial staff presence, and frustrations with medication handling - "med time" and "med set" issues that feel like a hindrance to the day-to-day rhythm.

There are also remarks about access and inclusion. One reviewer notes being "not allowed inside" at times, hinting at barriers that can affect family members or visitors who want to be involved in daily life and care. The blend of praise and critique reflects a facility that is actively being watched and talked about by the people whose lives are most affected by it - the veterans themselves, their families, and the staff who serve them.

Taken together, these voices paint a portrait of a veterans home that is deeply valued for its core strengths: compassionate care, a clean and inviting environment, a strong volunteer culture, passionate social work, and good food that respects residents' diverse needs. Yet they also reveal practical challenges that come with running a complex community: balancing time and privacy, managing cost and accessibility, refining activity offerings, and ensuring consistent administrative leadership that can navigate the delicate needs of veterans who may be demanding but deserving of empathy. This combination of admiration and critique points to a facility that is doing many things right while continually seeking ways to improve - an ongoing commitment to honoring the service of veterans through care that is both heartfelt and thoughtfully administered. Finally, the recurring sentiment that "Great place to live for all Veterans!" caps the overall impression: a place that many feel proud to call home, with room to grow in service to those who have given so much.

This part of Boise, Idaho offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. The area is home to several hospitals including the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital and Boise VA Medical Center, providing excellent healthcare options. There are also numerous physicians' offices specializing in various medical fields like nephrology, cardiology, and maternal fetal medicine. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options ranging from pizza at Guido's Original New York Style Pizza to tacos at Tin Roof Tacos. Nearby parks such as Cecil D. Andrus Park and Kathryn Albertson Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also cafes like Flying M Coffeehouse and Java Downtown Boise for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite Aid ensure easy access to medications and healthcare needs. Overall, this part of Boise provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with convenient amenities and services within close proximity.

Hospitals

• Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital (0.2 miles)
• Boise VA Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Departments, Pediatrics (0.4 miles)
• St Luke's MSTI Pediatric Oncology (0.4 miles)
• Careers at St Luke's (0.9 miles)
• Maribel C Morrell (1.1 miles)

Physicians

• Cordum Ann A MD (0.2 miles)
• Family Medicine Health Center (0.3 miles)
• St Luke's Clinic Nephrology Boise (0.3 miles)
• St Luke's Idaho Cardiology (0.4 miles)
• St Luke's Clinic Maternal Fetal Medicine (0.4 miles)
• Boise Basin Infertility & Gynecology (0.4 miles)
• St Luke's Children's Bowel and Bladder Clinic (0.4 miles)

Restaurants

• The Lively (0.5 miles)
• Guido's Original New York Style Pizza Downtown (0.5 miles)
• Tin Roof Tacos (0.6 miles)
• Roosevelt Market (0.6 miles)
• Moon's Kitchen Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Tom Grainey's Sporting Pub (0.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.7 miles)

Parks

• Cecil D. Andrus Park (0.5 miles)
• Municipal Park (1.1 miles)
• Camel's Back Park (1.3 miles)
• Fairview Park (1.5 miles)
• Dog Island (1.7 miles)
• Kathryn Albertson Park (1.8 miles)
• Elm Grove Park (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• Flying M Coffeehouse (0.5 miles)
• Java Downtown Boise (0.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.7 miles)
• Bacon (0.8 miles)
• Broadcast Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Slow By Slow Coffee Bar (0.9 miles)
• Certified Kitchen And (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• Customedica Pharmacy Boise (1.4 miles)
• O Zone Condom Shop (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)