Golden LivingCenter - Eskridge

Pros

• Amazing staff and put the residents first!!!
• Great team work, truly caring staff.
• Great facility, with staff that puts residents needs first.
• Came out to visit Eskridge today and received a warm welcome from both residents and staff members.

Cons

• The facility is raggedy with half-completed jobs.
• Residents aren't cared for properly and are made to do work staff won't do.
• Most residents aren't allowed to leave, and those who can are told staff has no time to accompany them.
• Staff spend time on their phones, smoking and drinking in the facility, and neglect their duties.
• The dishes are dirty and unsanitary.
• The ice machine has mold and bugs, with no clear record of when it was last cleaned.
• The facility is disgusting and lacks housekeepers; cleaning is neglected by almost everyone.
• The place is not a rehabilitation facility and does not help patients recover.
• The food is nasty and uneatable; patients go to bed hungry and are refused second helpings.

Review

Eskridge is a facility that clearly divides opinion, pulling in strong praise from some residents, families, and staff, while eliciting fevered concerns from others. On one hand, there are voices that insist the place is a good home-like environment with caring people. They describe staff as excellent, the facility as not brand new but still a decent place to be, and they point to moments of genuine warmth when visiting. Those who share this viewpoint emphasize teamwork and a genuine commitment to residents, suggesting that when things go right, Eskridge can feel welcoming and supportive.

On the other hand, a substantial portion of the feedback paints a starkly different picture. Critics argue that the facility is ragged and unfinished in many areas, with half-completed jobs that never seem to get done. They claim residents are burdened with tasks that should be staff responsibilities and, worse, that staff often lack time to facilitate basic activities like taking a walk outside with a resident who wants to go into town. Instead, they say staff seem to have time for other activities - using their phones, smoking, or consuming alcohol inside the building - while neglecting essential duties. The immediate consequences of these alleged practices are seen in dirty dishes, unsanitary meals, and, most troublingly, an ice machine reported to have mold and bugs. The absence of housekeeping and general cleanliness is repeatedly cited, contributing to a sense that the environment itself is unhealthful and unkempt.

The complaints extend beyond cleanliness and daily chores to the core purpose of the facility. Critics argue that Eskridge is not a rehabilitation center at all, but rather a place that looks and feels more like a prison-like nursing home where recovery efforts are minimal or non-existent. They claim residents receive little to no access to therapy or guided recovery support, with staff described as rude and unhelpful. The nutritional side of care is a common sticking point: meals are reportedly nasty and uneatable, with residents going to bed hungry or being denied seconds, and only a single snack allowed outside of meals. In this narrative, patients may have little hope of meaningful recovery, and many end up living out their days rather than returning to a healthier life.

A recurrent thread in the criticisms is the sense that management is aware of these issues yet has failed to address them. The same complaints are said to have been raised multiple times over several years, with assurances of change that never materialize. Critics accuse upper management and corporate leadership of knowing about ongoing problems and allowing them to persist, implying a systemic failure rather than isolated incidents. The implication is that the facility's bed-filled revenue model may be prioritizing occupancy over genuine rehabilitation and well-being, a charge that adds ethical weight to the concerns about resident care and recovery opportunities.

In stark contrast to the grim portrait, there are brief but pointed affirmations of excellent care and dedication. Some reviewers celebrate "amazing staff" and "putting the residents first," praising teamwork and a supportive culture among those who care for residents. There are mentions of warmth and welcoming visits, with positive notes about moments when residents and staff connected positively. These statements, sometimes attributed to residents and their families, suggest that Eskridge can deliver meaningful, compassionate care under the right circumstances or in certain interactions and shifts.

Taken together, the reviews present a facility at a crossroads. There is a visible divide between experiences that feel nurturing and respectful, and experiences that feel neglectful and degrading. The same place that some people describe as a hopeful environment where staff genuinely care about residents can, for others, resemble a place with serious quality and safety concerns. The mixed picture is amplified by the recurring themes of housekeeping lapses, inadequate rehabilitation services, questionable meal quality, and concerning management patterns, set against shards of praise for compassionate staff and moments of genuine welcome.

If you're weighing Eskridge as a potential place for a loved one, the reviews suggest a careful, balanced approach. Seek out multiple perspectives, not just seasonal impressions from a single visit. Ask detailed questions about therapy availability, recovery-focused programs, daily activities, and housekeeping practices. Request to speak with current residents and family members across different shifts, and review any available regulatory inspections or complaint records. A visit that includes conversations with both administration and frontline staff can provide a clearer sense of whether Eskridge can meet a specific person's needs and expectations, given the wide range of experiences described by those who have lived with or observed the facility firsthand.

Eskridge, Kansas offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and welcoming community. The town boasts several dining options including Big Bertha's Diner and Bobby D's Lakeside BBQ, providing opportunities to enjoy delicious meals with friends and family. Places of worship such as the Southern Baptist Convention and United Methodist Church offer spiritual support and a sense of community. For medical needs, there are several physicians offices nearby including Cotton O'neil Clinic and St Francis Family Medicine, as well as pharmacies like Jayhawk Custom Pharmacy and Walgreens. The town also features parks like Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park for leisurely strolls and relaxation. With easy access to cafes, hospitals like Topeka ER and Hospital, and recreational activities at Osage City Recreation Director, Eskridge provides a comfortable setting for senior living.

Restaurants

• Big Bertha's Diner (0.3 miles)
• Bobby D's Lakeside BBQ (4.6 miles)
• Lodge (5.1 miles)
• Hell Rayzor's Roadhouse (9.1 miles)
• Dj's Bar (14.1 miles)
• Alma Bakery & Sweet Shoppe (14.3 miles)
• El Corral Mexican Restaurant (14.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Southern Baptist Convention (0.4 miles)
• United Presbyterian Church (0.4 miles)
• Cultivate Community Church (0.4 miles)
• United Methodist Church (0.5 miles)
• Tallgrass Christian Camp (8.1 miles)
• Harveyville United Methodist Church (9.3 miles)
• Dover Federated Church (11.4 miles)

Transportation

• Bell Wildlife Specialties (9.3 miles)

Cafes

• Sommerset Hall Cafe (11.3 miles)
• Farmacy Cafe (14.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (22.1 miles)

Physicians

• Cotton Oneil Clinic (20.3 miles)
• Optimum Health Family Practice (20.3 miles)
• St Francis Endocrinology (20.3 miles)
• Tallgrass Orthopedic & Sports Medicine (20.4 miles)
• St Francis Family Medicine (20.4 miles)
• Cotton O'neil Expresscare (20.4 miles)
• Oasis Family Medicine Associates (20.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Cotton O'Neil Urish (20.3 miles)
• Topeka ER and Hospital (21.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Jayhawk Custom Pharmacy (20.3 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (20.4 miles)
• Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply (20.4 miles)
• Walgreens (20.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (21.1 miles)
• CBD Nation Topeka (21.8 miles)
• Schroeder Drugs (21.9 miles)

Parks

• Osage City Recreation Director (21.7 miles)
• Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park (21.8 miles)

Theaters

• Topeka Wheatfield 9 (22 miles)