Lakewood Center Nursing & Rehab Ctr

Pros

• Nurse Candy is wonderful, answered all our questions, concerns and is really super sweet to everyone.
• Dave the maintenance guy was incredibly nice and quickly replaced my Mom's remote for her tv.
• The care there is excellent and the staff go beyond what they do.
• The facility is spotless.
• The therapists are amazing, especially the speech therapist.
• Pat was impressed with the administration and with how clean the facility is.
• The therapy department has been amazing.
• The nurses and CNAs are praised for their hard work.

Cons

• The care was horrible.
• They left him in isolation to starve because he had Covid.
• The CNAs are just there for a paycheck and do not care.
• The residents are mistreated, especially during the night.
• A resident suffered horrific bed sores that led to death.
• Care plans were overlooked and medicines went missing.
• The meals were unseasoned and ridiculous.
• The facility is understaffed and lazy.
• Therapy was withheld for an entire weekend.
• The place reeked of infection and residents were ignored.
• The facility is not recommended by reviewers.

Review

The collection of reviews about Lakewood reveals a striking contrast between experiences that people found deeply positive and others that were almost shockingly negative. On one end, several residents and family members praise the facility as a welcoming, well-run place where the staff truly cares, the rooms and common areas are kept clean, and the rehabilitation services can be genuinely effective. On the other end, there are vividly critical accounts of neglect, illness, and dangerous conditions that led families to remove loved ones or to vow never to return. Taken together, the messages suggest that experiences at Lakewood can vary dramatically from one unit, shift, or time to the next.

Many reviewers describe Lakewood as a place where compassionate care and professional dedication are evident. They highlight nurses who go beyond the basics, aides who are patient and friendly, and therapists who are capable and inspiring. Several individuals singled out specific staff members by name, such as a nurse who is "wonderful" and responsive to questions, a maintenance worker who promptly fixes problems, and a speech therapist who stands out for her communication skills and even learns another language to better help a resident. The sentiment here is that when the right people are on duty, the care feels almost home-like - clean facilities, well-functioning equipment, and a positive, hopeful vibe during rehab and recovery. Some reviewers also note that the administrative leadership and hiring practices make a noticeable difference, with praise for administrators who model hands-on involvement and a general sense that the facility is well-run when everything is functioning smoothly.

In addition to individual staff praise, several stories emphasize effective rehabilitation and engaging activities. One reviewer recounts progress in a rehab program and credits the therapy team, including a caregiver you would expect to be encouraging and persistent, for helping someone regain footing after illness or injury. There are mentions of a lively social environment in common areas - bingo with residents, interactions with older neighbors, and a sense of community that brings smiles and connection. Some families appreciate the attention to language and communication needs, such as a therapist who is making an effort to learn Polish to better assist a family member, which underscores a broader commitment to addressing the unique needs of residents.

However, the positive notes are interwoven with accounts that depict serious problems. Several reviewers condemn understaffing as a core issue, suggesting that too few caregivers are on duty to respond promptly to call lights or to provide timely assistance. Complaints range from routine neglect - meals arriving late or not at all, milk and other basics distributed inconsistently, and food being cold or unappealing - to more alarming accusations of abuse or neglect that led to life-threatening conditions. One anonymous, strongly worded post uses phrases like "zero stars" and "elderly abuse," alleging a bedsore that became infected and progressed to sepsis, with caregivers allegedly failing to monitor or respond appropriately. Others describe dirty rooms and bathrooms, a rickety flow of care from aides who are overwhelmed, and a smell of infection that pervades parts of the facility. These pieces present Lakewood as a place where safety and basic dignity can be at risk, especially when staffing is thin or supervision is lax.

The most emotionally charged narratives involve personal family crises and life-or-death outcomes. One reviewer shares a painful firsthand experience of a loved one who was kept in isolation during a Covid episode, ultimately receiving cold meals and minimal attention until the family intervened and removed the patient to provide care at home. Another account recounts a patient who required daily assistance and found himself left for an entire weekend without therapy or help, despite being told he would receive support and a promised comfortable recliner that never appeared. These stories emphasize a lapse in basic standards of care - therapies not provided, essential comforts (like milk or a recliner) missing, and what feels like systematic delays or indifference in getting residents the help they need. A number of reviewers stress that these problems are not isolated incidents but recurring patterns tied to insufficient staffing, inconsistent policies, and shifts where accountability seems to disappear.

There are also mixed-and-minorly positive notes that complicate the overall impression. Some reviewers acknowledge that, while the facility has its flaws, there are moments when staff members are responsive, rooms are clean, and activities and amenities (an ice cream parlor, an aviary in the entrance, and other small touches) contribute to a sense of liveliness and care. A few experiences mention strong teamwork among nurses, aides, and therapists, and there is appreciation for the efforts of staff who make residents feel seen and safe. Yet these positive moments often sit alongside warnings or experiences of neglect elsewhere in the facility, suggesting a variability that can be jarring for families trying to navigate care for a loved one.

Overall, the story told by these reviews is not one of a uniformly excellent facility or a consistently failing one. Rather, it is a portrait of a place where outcomes depend heavily on who is on duty, which unit a resident is in, and when caregivers are available. For families and patients considering Lakewood, the message is clear: there are undeniable strengths - the compassionate people, the commitment of some therapists, and the clean, welcoming spaces - but there are also serious concerns about staffing levels, responsiveness to call lights, and the quality of daily routines such as meals and personal care. Anyone evaluating Lakewood would do well to gather current, unit-specific information, meet with staff and administrators, and closely observe care plans and therapy schedules to understand what a given experience might look like.

This part of Plainfield, Illinois, offers a convenient and accessible location for seniors looking for various amenities in close proximity. There are multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby for easy access to medications and health supplies. In terms of dining options, there are a variety of restaurants such as Station One Smokehouse, NWB Next Whiskey Bar, and chain restaurants like McDonald's and Chili's Grill & Bar within a short distance. For healthcare needs, there are several physicians' offices including Edward Medical Group and Oak Dermatology nearby. Additionally, there are parks like Commissioners Park and places of worship like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the area. Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center Laboratory is also located nearby for any medical emergencies. Overall, this part of Plainfield provides a convenient and comfortable living environment with access to essential services for seniors.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Station One Smokehouse (0.5 miles)
• NWB Next Whiskey Bar (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Craft'd (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Steve Buresh's Cheesecake Store (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.9 miles)

Physicians

• Edward Medical Group (2.1 miles)
• Oak Brook Allergists (3 miles)
• Midwest Neurological Associates (4.7 miles)
• Oak Dermatology (4.7 miles)
• Angela Intili (4.7 miles)
• Premier Dermatology - Crest Hill (4.9 miles)
• Dr Choudry Office (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Louis Joliet Mall (2.9 miles)
• AMC Showplace Naperville 16 (7 miles)

Parks

• Commissioners Park (4.4 miles)
• 95th Street Community Plaza Splash Pad (6.6 miles)
• Wolf's Crossing Community Park (6.6 miles)
• Champions Park (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (6.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center Laboratory (6.6 miles)