New Athens Home

Pros

• The workers were wonderful, loving and worked their tails off.
• The staff is amazing.
• They are so good to their residents.
• The facility has a family atmosphere and is faith-based.
• Diana K. is truly a blessing and a gem; she puts her heart and soul into the residents and everything she does.
• The care and love the residents receive are evident.

Cons

• The facility was described as disappointing, and a loved one would not be recommended to live there.
• Communication and cleanliness were noted as areas needing improvement, with room changes being frequent.
• Staffing shortages were implied, with the staff described as stretched thin on most days.
• Covid-19 was said to have strained both the staff and the facility.
• There was concern for residents and workers who could lose their jobs.
• Multiple administration changes were mentioned, suggesting instability.

Review

New Athens presents itself as a place that has been difficult for many to navigate, yet filled with moments of genuine care. Across the shared experiences, there is a strong thread of gratitude for the people on the front lines. Even when the facility was short-staffed, the workers were described as wonderful, loving, and tirelessly devoted, doing their best to meet the needs of residents day in and day out. That sense of dedication stood out to families and friends who watched their loved ones rely on those caregivers, often forming bonds that felt like family in a challenging environment.

Alongside the warmth of the staff, there was a note of sadness that weighed on the community as changes and disruptions took hold. Residents who had become friends found themselves scattered as moves happened and routines shifted. The emotional toll was real: people faced confusion and had to readjust to new surroundings, while workers and administration faced the painful reality of potential job losses and the broader churn that comes with transitions in care facilities. It was a reminder that care extends beyond daily tasks to the continuity and stability that residents and families rely on.

In an update shared by one family, the experience is described as lasting for three years with alternating administrations. The Covid-19 era is credited with adding strain to both staff and the facility as a whole. The reviewer notes that communication and cleanliness could be improved, and room changes occur with some frequency. There is a sense that the building's staffing levels have often been insufficient, leading to ongoing concerns that the day-to-day operations are stretched thin. Yet even within these challenges, there is a cautious hope tied to the idea that a new administration might restore the sense of normalcy and quality care that residents deserve.

Another voice in the mix highlights a contrasting, deeply positive perspective. According to a review after two years, the staff are described as amazing and incredibly kind to residents. The person emphasizes that although the building is older and does not boast the gleaming aesthetics of newer facilities, the care and love shown to residents far outweighs any superficial comparisons. The reviewer particularly praises the family atmosphere and the faith-based ethos of New Athens, underscoring the impact of a compassionate environment. A standout acknowledgment is given to Diana K., the Activities coordinator, who is described as a blessing and a gem - someone who pours heart and soul into the residents and everything she does. Her contribution is portrayed as a cornerstone of the positive experience for many residents.

Yet not every account mirrors the same sentiment. A separate review explicitly describes the facility as disappointing, with the writer promising to provide a more thorough update later. The expressed sentiment is clear: they would not recommend a loved one live there. While the specifics aren't laid out in detail, the brevity of the remark suggests a lack of confidence or dissatisfaction with some aspect of the experience, be it staffing, administration, communication, or other areas that families rely on when making tough care decisions.

There are also simple affirmations that punctuate the spectrum of experiences. Brief notes such as "Love it there" and "Clean" appear, offering a snapshot of moments when residents and families felt satisfied. Even in a landscape of mixed reviews, these concise affirmations signal that there are times and conditions under which New Athens can genuinely meet expectations and foster positive feelings.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a nuanced portrait. The staff's dedication and the facility's faith-based, family-oriented atmosphere stand out as strong positives, contributing to meaningful connections and a sense of community for residents who feel cared for by people who treat them like family. The building's age and the realities of staffing challenges - especially in the wake of Covid-19 - introduce ongoing tensions around cleanliness, communication, and frequent room changes. Administration appears to be a pivotal factor in shaping experiences, with some residents hoping that a stable leadership team will restore consistency and trust.

For families evaluating New Athens, the underlying message is clear: there is real, heartfelt care within the walls, delivered by people who are committed to their residents even when resources and organizational stability are tested. The future quality of care seems closely tied to improvements in communication, routine stability, and sufficient staffing, all within the context of maintaining the warm, faith-based, family-centered environment that many reviewers already cherish. If the facility can align administrative continuity with frontline support and clear channels of communication, the positive experiences highlighted by many could become the norm rather than the exception.

New Athens, Illinois is a quaint and peaceful town with a variety of amenities to offer its residents. With several restaurants such as Steamboat Biscuit & Brisket and Babe's Tavern nearby, there are plenty of dining options for seniors to enjoy. The town also has pharmacies like Freeburg Pharmacy and Tom's Pharmacy of Freburg in close proximity for easy access to medication needs. For healthcare services, there are several physicians' offices within a reasonable distance, including Red Bud Family Medicine and Eye Surgery Center. In terms of recreation, there are parks like Ratz Memorial Park and Konarcik Park for enjoying nature and staying active. Additionally, the town has various places of worship such as Southern Baptist Convention and Emmanuel Lutheran Church for spiritual fulfillment. With hospitals like Red Bud Regional Hospital and transportation services available, New Athens provides a comfortable and convenient environment for senior living.

Restaurants

• Steamboat Biscuit & Brisket (0.3 miles)
• Babe's Tavern (4.1 miles)
• Gary's Restaurant (7 miles)
• Valentine's Restaurant (7.2 miles)
• Reifschneider's Grill & Grape (8 miles)
• McDonald's (8.1 miles)
• No-Jacks Bar & Grill (8.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Freeburg Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Tom's Pharmacy of Freburg (7.8 miles)
• Marissa Discount Pharmacy (8.8 miles)
• Keil Pharmacy (10.7 miles)
• Dauber Pharmacy (12.3 miles)
• Schnucks (13.9 miles)
• Sv Pharmacies (13.9 miles)

Physicians

• Red Bud Family Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Eye Surgery Center (10.1 miles)
• Mary O Wunderlich, NP (10.4 miles)
• Mascoutah Eye Care (12.3 miles)
• Rural Family Medicine Associates (12.9 miles)
• Drs Office (13.8 miles)
• Memorial Medical Group (13.8 miles)

Parks

• Fayetteville Community Park (5.7 miles)
• Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (6.2 miles)
• Baldwin Lake Fish & Wildlife (7.3 miles)
• Ratz Memorial Park (10.2 miles)
• Scheve Park (12.6 miles)
• Mascoutah Dog Park (12.8 miles)
• Konarcik Park (13.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Southern Baptist Convention (8 miles)
• Marissa Presbyterian Church (8.6 miles)
• United Methodist Annex Building (8.6 miles)
• Emmanuel Tabernacle Pentecostal Church (8.7 miles)
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church (9.1 miles)
• First Pentecostal Church of Red Bud (9.5 miles)
• St Peter United Church-Christ (9.9 miles)

Hospitals

• DaVita Red Bud Dialysis (9.6 miles)
• Red Bud Regional Hospital (10.2 miles)
• Physical Therapy Center of Belleville (13.9 miles)
• St Elizabeth's Hospital (14.3 miles)

Transportation

• N & B Rental (11.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (13.7 miles)

Theaters

• Capitol Theatre (14.8 miles)