Applewood Health and Rehab Ctr in Fort Wayne, IN

Pros

• Jamie Soloman brings 25 years of experience and is changing the culture of nursing homes with the highest quality of care and compassion.
• Glenbrook's social worker, Katie Bird, is an amazing resource and guides residents with discharge planning from the moment they step in.
• The facility is regularly updated with improvements, including a game room with a PS5 and extended evening activities for night owls.
• The atmosphere is loving, welcoming, and will pleasantly surprise visitors who rethink nursing home care.
• The staff are caring and invested in residents; the environment is clean, friendly, and home-like.
• The activity director, Rockie, is dedicated, caring, and consistently plans fun activities to keep residents engaged and happy.
• The rehab staff are patient, attentive, and provide excellent therapy that helps residents recover.
• The dining program is top-notch, with many reviewers calling the food excellent and better than hospital meals.
• The facility is described as an awesome/stellar place with a strong sense of community and family-like care.
• The staff are kind, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to help families and residents.
• The team makes placement easy and fosters a supportive, positive experience for loved ones.
• Multiple reviewers say Glenbrook feels like home and that residents feel cared for and supported.

Cons

• The place is trash.
• The nurses are lazy.
• Staff and management are very unprofessional.
• The facility is unskilled and very dirty.
• The room was kept at an insane temperature.
• Bedsheets were never changed and had blood and pus on them.
• The staff ignored call buttons, causing a resident to fall.
• The place should be burned to the ground.

Review

Applewood Health and Rehab Center in Fort Wayne is best suited for families seeking a rehab-oriented environment with a strong emphasis on social engagement and a home-like atmosphere. It tends to appeal to seniors who want active therapy services (physical, occupational, and restorative supports) paired with everyday interactions that feel personal and warm. This facility can work well for residents who value regular programming, accessible spaces, and staff who are seen as genuinely involved in daily life. It is less ideal for families prioritizing ironclad medical oversight, instant response to calls, or unyielding consistency in care routines.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are families with high-stakes medical needs or sensitive safety requirements. If punctual pain management, meticulous medication administration, or a spotless, highly regulated environment are nonnegotiables, a different center with a stronger track record in these areas should be explored. For residents with complex health issues or a history of hospital-level complications, it is prudent to compare facilities with transparent governance, robust nursing coverage, and consistently proven outcomes rather than relying on a warmth-forward atmosphere alone.

The most compelling positives center on therapy-driven care and a sense of community. Reviewers frequently point to engaged therapy teams, reachable staff, and a culture that feels more like a family than a sterile institution. When programming is intentional and staff participate in activities alongside residents, opportunities for meaningful progress and psychosocial well-being rise - an outcome many families value during rehab or long-term stays. In addition, some observers note improvements in the facility's ambiance through renovations and better-flow layouts, which can ease visits and daily routines for both residents and families.

Yet substantial drawbacks temper the appeal. A recurring thread across reviews is inconsistent quality in basic operations: complaints about cleaning standards, missed or delayed care, and gaps in timely assistance. Reports of medication lapses, limited responsiveness to call bells, and occasional administrative friction highlight real safety and comfort concerns. Front-desk interactions and communication with families sometimes come across as abrupt or unhelpful, and there are alarming anecdotes about staff behavior and supervision in moments of distress. While not universal, these concerns are pronounced enough to demand careful scrutiny before committing to a long stay.

In weighing the pros against the cons, the facility's rehab strengths and its family-oriented environment can offset some risks for families who can actively participate in oversight. For short- to mid-term rehab goals, where daily progress is measurable and social stimulation supports recovery, Applewood may deliver meaningful benefits. However, for residents whose needs demand rigorous medical management, fail-safe call responses, or consistently pristine cleanliness, the downsides could magnify quickly and undermine the overall experience. The key is aligning expectations with a plan for vigilant oversight and a readiness to switch if safety or quality gaps persist.

The practical path forward is honest, purposeful due diligence. Prospective families should visit the center with questions crafted around therapy availability, staff-to-resident ratios, and the pace of response to call bells. Request up-to-date inspection reports and inquire about any substantiated concerns or corrective actions. Speak with the administrator, the therapy director, and frontline caregivers about daily routines, medication processes, and how dietary needs are accommodated, especially for residents on restricted or special diets. If possible, arrange a short-term trial or a phased transition to observe how the team handles emergencies, changes in condition, and the residents' overall sense of well-being. In the end, Applewood can be a solid fit for the right family, provided high standards of safety, responsiveness, and consistent quality are actively pursued and monitored.

This part of Fort Wayne, Indiana offers a convenient and accessible location with various amenities nearby. There are several reputable physicians and hospitals in the area, ensuring quality healthcare services within close proximity. Additionally, there is a selection of pharmacies for easy access to medications. The dining options include familiar chain restaurants like Applebee's and Wendy's, as well as local favorites like Dos Margaritas and Blaze Pizza. For those looking for a caffeine fix, there are Starbucks cafes nearby. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the parks in the vicinity, such as Lions Park and Promenade Park, offering opportunities for leisurely walks and enjoying nature. Nearby places of worship provide spiritual support for residents, while Regal Coldwater Crossing theater offers entertainment options. Overall, this part of Fort Wayne provides a balance of essential services and recreational activities suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• Afdent (0.2 miles)
• Orthopaedics Northeast P C (0.9 miles)
• Fort Wayne Endoscopy Center (1.4 miles)
• Parkview Hospital Randallia (1.4 miles)
• Gopesh Singh, MD (1.4 miles)
• Grettel Tesado, MD (1.4 miles)
• Parkview Physicians Group - Colon & Rectal Surgery (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Dos Margaritas (0.4 miles)
• Applebee's (0.5 miles)
• Blaze Pizza (0.7 miles)
• Wendy's (0.7 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.7 miles)
• Latch String Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• North Anthony Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Conjure Coffee (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Lions Park (1 miles)
• Headwaters Park Lincoln Pavilion (2 miles)
• Promenade Park (2.2 miles)
• Freimann Square (2.2 miles)
• Headwaters Park (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Huntington Memorial Hospital (1.4 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital (2.6 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital - Emergency Room (2.6 miles)
• Lutheran Imaging Services (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Parkwood Church of God (1.4 miles)
• Saint Charles Borromeo Parish (2.4 miles)
• Trinity English Lutheran Church Elca (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Coldwater Crossing (1.6 miles)