River Park Nursing & Rehab Ctr

Pros

• Cardinal's facility is beautiful, up-to-date, and feel-homelike.
• The staff are caring, friendly, and helpful.
• Residents report comfortable rehab experiences with clean, well-kept surroundings.
• The therapy team goes above and beyond to support recovery (PT, OT, and ST).
• Administration is attentive to patients and their families.
• The building's landscaping and overall appearance are inviting.
• The care provided is compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated.
• The care is patient-centered and loving.
• Front desk staff are consistently kind and welcoming.
• Cardinal is highly recommended for nursing home or rehab needs.

Cons

• The staff did not help the resident to the bathroom, leaving her sitting in fecal matter; unacceptable.
• The staff were uncompassionate and even thieves, using bedsores lotion on other patients and causing more bedsores.
• A physical therapist visited only one day in four and spent merely fifteen minutes on exercises.
• The rehabilitation care was inadequate, with residents kept in bed and not helped to recover.
• Some staff demeaned the mother and suggested she was making things up.
• There was theft by staff (an iPod) and administration was aware of it and enabled it.
• Administration was deceitful with hidden agendas and greedy.

Review

Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation has become a focal point for a broad range of experiences from families, residents, and staff. On one hand, the building and its recent improvements are frequently praised: a sense that the facility has undergone noticeable positive changes, with upgrades that make the environment more homelike and inviting. Several reviewers speak of a facility that looks and feels cared for, with clean spaces, well-kept rooms, and attractive landscaping that make the campus feel welcoming. Inside, discussions center on attentive staff, compassionate care, and a culture that appears to prioritize residents' comfort and well-being.

Many reviewers highlight the people who make Cardinal stand out. The staff receives repeated commendations for compassion, knowledge, and going above and beyond to support residents. Families note that the care team is caring, patient, and dedicated, with aides and nurses who listen and respond to needs. Activities and outings are mentioned as a highlight, offering residents opportunities to engage with others beyond daily routines, while therapy teams - physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy - are described as capable, effective, and responsive to individual recovery goals. The commitment to good nurse-patient relationships and a warm, supportive atmosphere is a common thread in multiple narratives, with residents and families expressing confidence in the care provided.

A number of reviews also place strong emphasis on Cardinal's accessibility and engagement with families. Carol Russell, the Director of Marketing, is described as someone who punishes no questions and provides practical support - she conducts blood pressure checks twice a month, answers questions about Cardinal and the rehab process, helps with insurance questions tied to rehab stays, and keeps residents informed about their BP trends. The presence of such outreach is seen as a sign of a facility that values transparency and proactive communication. Several residents and families say they would recommend Cardinal for nursing home or rehab needs, citing the combination of caring staff, supportive administration, and a welcoming environment as key reasons.

Beyond general praise, some reviewers provide vivid personal stories that underscore Cardinal's strengths. One account describes a smooth and efficient process when arranging care for a family member after a stroke, with a team that moved quickly to coordinate the path back to Indiana for specialized care. The therapy team (PT, OT, and ST) is singled out as exceptionally helpful and caring, contributing to a sense of real improvement and a positive recovery trajectory. In another account, a family member who is also an employee emphasizes Cardinal's heart for residents and its willingness to take cases others might avoid, reinforcing the sense that Cardinal is a facility with depth of commitment and a strong team culture.

However, the landscape is not uniformly rosy. A highly negative, emotionally charged account paints a stark contrast to the majority of praise. The reviewer describes a first day where staff failed to assist with basic needs, alleging the person was left in fecal matter and crying, labeling the staff as lacking compassion and even accusing them of theft and malpractice. The claim extends to the theft of lotions intended to treat bedsores, a shortcoming in therapy (one physical therapy session over several days totaling about 15 minutes), and a broader indictment of administration and nursing staff as uncaring and deceitful. Such allegations portray a facility failing in fundamental care and trust, suggesting that for some families Cardinal has become a place to avoid.

Other comments split the difference between praise and concern. Some reviewers describe administration as deceitful or focused on hidden agendas, with claims of unfair treatment and even being "short-term state-approved" in some sense. There are mentions of miscommunication between departments and inconsistency in staffing quality. Yet even in these critiques, some reviewers acknowledge positive elements, such as capable floor staff and a willingness among caregivers to provide attentive support, implying that experiences at Cardinal can vary greatly depending on unit, shift, and specific staff members.

There are also deeply personal testimonials that complicate the picture. One account recounts how a family's experience in a nursing home helped by Cardinal for care after a loved one suffered a massive stroke while on vacation. This reviewer emphasizes how Cardinal's team, particularly the therapy staff, delivered exceptional care that exceeded expectations and earned a heartfelt endorsement. In contrast, other posts recount long-standing concerns about theft, unkind behavior, and perceived systemic issues that failed to meet that same standard of care. A separate narrative from a relative who visited a sister in Cardinal described a setting where the sister remained immaculately clean, the staff's affection for residents was evident, and phrases like "one of the best nursing homes" were whispered in praise - again underscoring how differently people can experience the same facility.

In sum, Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation is widely recognized for its upgraded facilities, welcoming atmosphere, and a caregiving team that many families describe as compassionate and dedicated. The facility also earns praise for its proactive outreach, clear communication with residents and families, and a robust rehab program that many feel supports meaningful recovery. Yet the experiences shared here are not uniform. While many families sing Cardinal's praises and point to tangible improvements and positive outcomes, a subset of reviews recount serious concerns about care, compassion, theft, and administrative practices. For anyone evaluating Cardinal, these narratives suggest a need for careful, on-site observation, open conversations with multiple staff members across shifts, and direct questions about care standards, incident reporting, and how concerns are addressed.

This part of South Bend, Indiana offers a variety of amenities and services that may appeal to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. The area features several dining options including McDonald's, Hacienda Mexican Restaurants, and The Skillet Restaurant, ensuring easy access to a range of culinary choices. Additionally, there are nearby physicians such as Mishawaka Osteopathic Clinic and HealthLinc Community Health Center for medical care needs. Residents can also enjoy the outdoors at parks like Mary Gibbard Park and Battell Park or take a stroll along the Mishawaka River Walk. For pharmacy needs, there are several options including Health Mart Pharmacy and Walgreens in close proximity. Lastly, places of worship like the Islamic Society of Michiana provide spiritual support within the community. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of conveniences and recreational opportunities suitable for seniors seeking a well-rounded living environment.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurants (1.1 miles)
• The Skillet Restaurant and Catering (1.1 miles)
• The Brick (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Tradewinds Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Jesus Latin Grill & Tequila Bar (1.3 miles)

Physicians

• Mishawaka Osteopathic Clinic (0.8 miles)
• HealthLinc Community Health Center (1.3 miles)
• John Walter Bulger (1.5 miles)
• Shaukat Ali Chaudhry (1.5 miles)
• Mitchell Robert Goldstein (1.6 miles)
• Darr & Associates (1.6 miles)
• The South Bend Clinic ENT (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Mary Gibbard Park (0.9 miles)
• Battell Park (1.3 miles)
• Robert C Beutter Park (1.4 miles)
• Mishawaka River Walk (1.4 miles)
• Central Park (1.5 miles)
• Howard Park (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Oasb (1 miles)
• Triumph Our Lady of Peace Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Franciscan Alliance (1.6 miles)
• Memorial Epworth Center (2.1 miles)
• Beacon Children's Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Newbold Philipmemorial Hospital South Bend (2.6 miles)
• Memorial Hospital (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Health Mart Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Mar-Main Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Stat Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Michiana (2.5 miles)
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)