Waterfront Terrace, Inc.

Pros

• The facility is a great place with hardworking employees and an awesome administration.
• The Activities Department goes above and beyond to create a warm, engaging, and supportive environment, with a compassionate and creative Activities Director.
• The facility has caring staff that makes residents and families feel like a priority.
• The care at Pavilion Healthcare is exceptional, with attentive and kind nurses and staff.
• The facility itself is immaculate, with spacious rooms and lovely common areas that promote comfort and socialization, and meals that are delicious and nutritious with dietary options.
• The personal attention and care each resident receives show that the staff genuinely care about their well-being, creating a second-home feeling.
• The caretakers genuinely care about their patients, and the activities department features music from the patients' era that residents sing along to.
• Pavilion of South Shore is described as a cozy nursing home where loved ones are in good hands.
• Residents are happy and staff work well together; the administrator is fair and helps staff excel.
• The administrator and DON are praised for keeping the environment fun, peaceful, and well-led.
• The facility is regarded as one of the best in Illinois.

Cons

• The facility is clearly understaffed.
• There is a strong odor on the third floor indicating poor conditions.
• Residents are neglected and staff have bad attitudes toward the elders.
• Employees are accused of stealing from patients.
• The facility allegedly allowed alcohol to be given to a resident.
• A nurse on the third floor reportedly has a nasty, disgusting attitude.
• The social worker dodges family calls and lacks accountability in resident care.
• There are claims that the facility is not legally operated.
• Residents reportedly go days without feeding, medications, or rehabilitation therapy.
• The facility has no working telephone.
• The facility is described as filthy.
• A resident reportedly had a stroke that went unnoticed by medical staff.
• A resident left the facility in a wheelchair to escape.
• Some reviews claim that reviews themselves are fake, indicating unethical practices.

Review

Pavilion South Shore emerges in these accounts as a place that many families entrust with the daily care of their loved ones, and in most cases they describe it as a warm, welcoming, and attentive environment. Several caregivers and relatives share experiences that center on genuine kindness, patient-oriented care, and a sense that the facility feels like a second home. One reviewer gratefully describes how the Pavilion took care of their brother with notable concern and warmth, expressing relief and appreciation for the decision to place him there. Others echo that sentiment with phrases like "great place," "employees are great and hard working," and "the administration is awesome," painting a picture of a facility where the human connection between staff and residents is valued and visible.

A particularly strong thread in the positive reviews is the work of the Activities Department. Visitors praise the Activities Director for being helpful, compassionate, and full of creative ideas to keep residents engaged and included. Comments highlight the programmatic energy that makes Pavilion feel welcoming and joyful, with residents enjoying group events and one-on-one support alike. The sense that activities are thoughtfully designed to enrich daily life comes up repeatedly, with praise for music selections that resonate with residents' eras and for staff who place genuine care into shaping a lively, social atmosphere.

The care staff and administration receive consistent commendation as well. Several reviewers commend nurses for professionalism and accessibility, noting that they're attentive and kind and that questions or concerns are addressed promptly. The overall impression for many is that of a well-organized team that treats residents and their families with respect and attentiveness. Comments about the facility's atmosphere, cleanliness, and amenities reinforce this positive baseline: immaculate surroundings, spacious rooms, common areas conducive to socialization, and meals described as delicious and accommodating to dietary needs. In several accounts, families say the staff's personal attention and the sense that the staff genuinely cares about residents' well-being provide important peace of mind.

Beyond individual staff interactions, several reviewers highlight administrative leadership as a stabilizing force. Statements such as "the administrator keeps it a fun and peaceful environment," and notes about "one of the best DON I've ever worked with" underscore a perception that management supports both residents and staff. There are even remarks about the facility being a good place to work, with appreciative mentions of teamwork, patient energy across departments, and a culture that values humor and humanity in the care setting. For many families, these elements together create confidence that Pavilion South Shore is a solid choice for long-term care.

However, the collection of reviews also contains loud and troubling concerns that cannot be overlooked. A number of accounts describe serious lapses in care and safety. Some reviewers report neglect and understaffing, describing odors, inadequate monitoring, and a perception that residents aren't receiving necessary therapies or timely medications. Specific allegations include episodes of insufficient feeding, a lack of rehabilitation therapy, and concerns about daily routines and responsiveness. A handful of reviewers describe incidents that imply severe gaps in care, including reports of residents being left in distress, bedsores developing, and general neglect that led families to question the quality and safety of the environment.

There are also vivid anecdotes of distressing day-to-day failures: a claim that a loved one was given alcohol, a late-night feeding of peanut butter at 9pm, and other examples of what the reviewer perceives as neglect and disregard for proper nutrition or routine medical needs. In one account, the facility is described as down right filthy, with a resident reportedly left soiled and without adequate cleaning, and another reviewer asserts that the building's conditions reflect broader systemic problems, such as a lack of proper inspection and accountability. These stories, paired with frustration over communication gaps with social workers and administrators, contribute to an impression of serious risk and dissatisfaction for some families.

Interwoven with these accounts are particular narratives that amplify distrust and alarm. A reviewer recounts that a nurse on the third floor had a nasty, unfounded attitude, implying a mismatch between the care needed and the professional conduct expected in a healthcare setting. There is also mention of internal conflict over the authenticity of online reviews, with a claim that some reviews are generated by employees, and a subsequent suggestion that consumer experience may be misrepresented by internal sources. A separate, emotionally charged account describes a loved one contracting Covid at the facility, followed by a lack of timely family notification during a critical health moment, and a comment about a staff member's perceived insensitivity during a difficult time.

Taken together, the collection presents a nuanced portrait: Pavilion South Shore is described by many as a compassionate, well-run, and welcoming place where residents can flourish, with dedicated staff and robust activity programming that fosters social connection and dignity. Yet it is also a place where some families report alarming experiences - perceived neglect, safety concerns, and communication gaps - that have led to strong calls for oversight, inspections, and accountability. Several reviews urge ongoing vigilance and intervention, including formal inquiries at state or federal levels, while others emphasize the positive impact of the staff's daily kindness and the facility's ability to feel like a home during challenging times. For potential residents and their loved ones, the message seems to be to weigh the consistently praised aspects - the warmth, attentiveness, and programmatic energy - against the serious concerns raised by other families, and to consider thorough, in-person evaluations and conversations with administration to form a well-rounded view.

This area of Chicago, Illinois offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient place to live. With several parks nearby such as South Shore Cultural Center and Jackson Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and nature walks. There are also pharmacies, hospitals, places of worship, cafes, and restaurants within a few miles radius, providing easy access to essential services and social opportunities. Transportation options like Metra stations and CTA stops are available for convenient travel around the city. Additionally, with physicians like the Illinois Eye Institute in close proximity, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Overall, this area provides a mix of tranquility and convenience for seniors seeking a comfortable living environment in Chicago.

Parks

• South Shore Cultural Center (1 miles)
• Jackson Park (2.4 miles)
• Osaka Garden (2.6 miles)
• Wooded Island (2.7 miles)
• Calumet Park (2.8 miles)
• Burnham Park (3.1 miles)
• Promontory Point (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Philip Neri Parish (1.2 miles)
• Beth Eden Baptist Church (7 miles)
• Holy Name Of Mary Church (7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.1 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (9.6 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (9.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Hoe Toy Chop Suey (2 miles)
• Calumet Fisheries (2.3 miles)
• Leo's Den (2.3 miles)
• Lil's Something Kool Cocktail Lounge (2.8 miles)
• Captain Hooks Fish & Chicken (2.9 miles)
• City Life Cocktail Lounge (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Advocate Trinity Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Comer Children's Hospital (3.6 miles)
• St Bernard Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Little Company of Mary Hospital (7.6 miles)
• Advocate Children Hospital-Hope Pavilion (9.5 miles)
• Advocate Christ Outpatient Pavilion (9.6 miles)

Transportation

• Metra - 55th / 56th / 57th St (3.2 miles)
• 59th st Junction (4.6 miles)
• Metra - 107th Street (4.9 miles)
• CTA - Sox-35th Red (6.6 miles)
• Metra - Morgan Park / 115th Street (7.8 miles)
• CTA - Cermak-Chinatown (7.9 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (9.1 miles)

Physicians

• Illinois Eye Institute (6.6 miles)