Lafon Home OF United Methodist

Pros

• The staff across all departments at St. Bernard Nursing & Rehab are amazing, eager to assist, friendly, and on task.
• Residents are kept clean, well fed, and comfortable.
• Ms. Stephanie Bruno is incredibly helpful and supportive, taking time to understand family needs.
• The staff are welcoming to visitors.
• The activities director Stephanie Bruno goes above and beyond and treats residents like family.
• The charge nurse Kiana Johnson is attentive, friendly, and an asset to the facility.
• Nicole Love, the wound care nurse, is fantastic, highly involved with patients, and an asset to the staff.
• The facility is new, beautiful, and has a positive atmosphere under the new administration.
• The nursing staff are excellent, caring, and responsive to matters large and small.
• The facility is recognized as a five-star facility in Louisiana.
• The staff are noted for compassionate, around-the-clock care.

Cons

• The facility is described as providing barely three meals a day and failing to properly check on residents.
• The staff are said to lack empathy and compassion, appearing to work only for a paycheck.
• Staff are alleged to congregate in hallways while residents wait for assistance.
• Bedding is stained, residents' clothing is washed together, and bugs are reported.
• Residents reportedly do not receive fresh water, only ice cubes in a small pitcher.
• Rehab-side residents are said to be ignored and not given medications as scheduled.
• There are no bed rails, and diapers remain soiled all day.
• A hospice patient was left with rails off, oxygen tubes out, not changed for hours, and staff were rude.

Review

Across a broad range of experiences, families describe St. Bernard Nursing & Rehab as a facility that sometimes delivers exceptional care and sometimes falls short in fundamental areas. Several visitors spoke warmly of the staff across departments - the rehabilitation team, nursing, and front desk - praising them for being eager to assist, friendly, and focused on patients' needs. In particular, many reviewers highlighted the differences between short visits and longer stays: when they could be there often, their relatives appeared clean, well fed, and comfortable, and they felt confident in returning for another stay if the need arose. A number of comments also celebrated the recent improvements and the overall atmosphere, suggesting that the facility remains a strong option for families looking for SNF or rehab support.

Stephanie Bruno, repeatedly mentioned in multiple reviews, stands out as a touchstone of positive experiences. One reviewer noted that during a tour she was incredibly helpful and supportive, taking time to understand what the family would need for their loved one and assuring them that the resident would be well cared for. Other posts echo the sentiment, describing Ms. Bruno as someone who goes above and beyond, treating residents like family and earning praise from families and staff alike. The sentiment around Bruno sits alongside appreciation for other strong team members, including Nicole Love in wound care and Kiana Johnson, the charge nurse, who were singled out for exceptional attentiveness and professionalism. The warmth of these individuals is described as a defining, standout feature of the facility for many families.

Yet the same posts reveal a very different reality for other visitors. A substantial portion of the reviews are sharp and urgent warnings against placing a loved one at the facility. There are accounts of incomplete meals, residents not being checked on, and staff congregating in hallways while help was awaited. Several reviewers claim that patients receive inadequate hydration, and that the facility's practice around medications is inconsistent, with some alleging that residents on different sides of the building receive different levels of attention. Bedding is described as stained, laundry as poorly separated, and some reviewers claim the presence of bugs. The concerns extend to safety and dignity, with reports of missing bed rails, soiled diapers left for long periods, and limited or no repositioning to prevent bed sores. These firsthand perspectives emphasize the daily realities that some families experienced - moments of comfort juxtaposed against troubling gaps in basic care.

The breadth of testimony also encompasses harsher, more accusatory claims. One reviewer wrote in emphatic terms that the staff lacked empathy and compassion, that medication wasn't administered as scheduled, and that the environment boasted loud, party-like noise with staff moving about as if at a block party. There were also accusations of theft of residents' belongings and medications, along with complaints about inconsistent communication from staff, especially around vitals and health updates. Some commenters warned prospective families to prepare for long wait times and to ensure that a family member can be present during critical hours, suggesting that without continuous vigilance, the experience could deteriorate quickly. These accounts present a stark contrast to the more favorable stories and point to systemic issues that some families felt undermined patient care.

Several postings center on hospice or end-of-life care experiences. In one heartbreaking case, a family described a lack of staff compassion, with a loved one experiencing neglect-like conditions - being left unaltered for hours, tubes dislodged, and sheets and diapers not changed promptly. The family not only faced distress but also took formal steps to document concerns, including contacting an elder neglect hotline and planning a move to another facility. This narrative underscores how critical attentive, respectful care is in hospice settings and serves as a cautionary tale to prospective residents and their families about the importance of vigilant oversight and advocacy in care environments.

Amid these cautions, there are also reaffirmations of the facility's ongoing evolution and positive momentum. Several posts reference a "new name" for the facility and describe a recent administrative facelift that has infused the environment with renewed energy and pride. A few families celebrate the facility as one of Louisiana's five-star options and point to the Nursing staff's professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care as evidence of progress. The same voices credit a refreshed atmosphere to new leadership and a culture that emphasizes excellence, teamwork, and patient-centered care. For some families, the improvements are visible in both the physical surroundings and the demeanor of the residents, who appear more engaged and content.

Taken together, the reviews paint a nuanced portrait of St. Bernard Nursing & Rehab. On one hand, there are abundant testimonies to kindness, competence, and heartfelt dedication - from Stephanie Bruno's exemplary customer service and person-centered approach to Nicole Love's wound care expertise and Kiana Johnson's attentive nursing leadership. On the other hand, there are considerable, strongly worded concerns about neglect, inconsistent care, and unsafe conditions raised by multiple families. The facility's reported transformation - new administration, a refreshed appearance, and a fortified sense of pride - adds another layer to the story, suggesting that ongoing improvements may be helping to address some of the earlier criticisms. For families evaluating this facility, the common thread is clear: care quality appears to vary by individual staff and shifts, and visiting with a critical eye, meeting key caregivers, and observing daily routines firsthand may be essential to forming an informed decision.

This part of New Orleans, Louisiana, offers a diverse range of amenities that are convenient for senior living. With several cafes like Cafe Du Monde and CC's Community Coffee House nearby, residents can enjoy leisurely outings or meet up with friends over a cup of coffee. The proximity to parks such as New Orleans City Park and Crescent Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, the presence of multiple pharmacies ensures easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. A variety of restaurants offering different cuisines cater to different tastes, while nearby physicians and hospitals like LCMC Health Cancer Care and Blood Disorders and SE Louisiana Veterans Hospital provide accessible medical care options for seniors. Overall, this area combines convenience, recreational opportunities, and essential services that make it a desirable location for senior living in New Orleans.

Cafes

• Cafe Du Monde City Park (1.2 miles)
• CC's Community Coffee House (2.8 miles)
• Cafe Envie (2.9 miles)
• Cafe Du Monde (3 miles)
• French Truck Coffee (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• French Truck Coffee (4.1 miles)

Parks

• New Orleans City Park (1.2 miles)
• Crescent Park (3 miles)
• Pig Newton Park (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Zimmer's Seafood (1.2 miles)
• Pagoda Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Cafe Navarre (1.7 miles)
• Felipe's Mexican Taqueria (1.8 miles)
• French Truck Coffee (1.8 miles)
• Katie's Restaurant & Bar (1.9 miles)
• Piece Of Meat (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• LCMC Health Cancer Care and Blood Disorders (2.3 miles)
• Southern Orthopaedic Specialists (3.7 miles)
• Napoleon Pediatrics (4.3 miles)
• The Face & Body Clinic (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• SE Louisiana Veterans Hospital (2.5 miles)
• LSU Medical - 1400 Poydras (3.3 miles)
• St Charles Surgical Hospital (4.2 miles)
• The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center (4.5 miles)