Sterling Care Riverside

Pros

• Some therapy staff members are described as top-notch, providing excellent care and support to patients during rehabilitation.
• A few nurses were noted for their exceptional performance, demonstrating dedication and compassion towards patients.
• The occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) teams received praise for their professionalism and effectiveness in helping patients recover.
• The management team is making efforts to improve the facility, indicating a commitment to enhancing patient care.
• There was recognition of certain aides who do their best under challenging circumstances, highlighting their hard work and dedication to patient care.

Cons

• The night staff is neglectful and unresponsive to urgent patient needs, leading to dangerous situations.
• The facility is rundown and in dire need of repairs, with unsanitary conditions including mold and feces present.
• Patients are expected to use communal bathrooms, posing significant safety and health risks.
• Staff appears overwhelmed and unequipped to provide adequate care for patients.
• There is a lack of effective communication between the staff and patients' families, resulting in confusion and distress.
• Essential medical checks, such as monitoring blood sugar levels, are not performed regularly, leading to serious health consequences.
• Medications are mismanaged, causing patients to be overly sedated or improperly treated.
• The overall management of the facility fails to address critical issues raised by both patients and their families.
• Instances of personal belongings going missing or not being delivered to patients are frequent.
• Families feel helpless due to inadequate attention and care provided to their loved ones during their stay.

Review

The reviews regarding the facility, Sterling of Riverside, present a harrowing picture of inadequate care and mismanagement that has deeply affected multiple patients and their families. The experiences shared by friends and relatives highlight significant issues ranging from neglect to poor communication, leading to tragic outcomes. As an establishment meant to provide rehabilitation and recovery for patients, the facility appears to be falling short in its mission, causing grave concern for those who entrust their loved ones into its care.

Several reviews point to a critical lack of responsiveness from the night staff. One individual noted how their friend faced severe delays when her bed collapsed; despite raising concerns with management about the nightly operations, no discernible improvements followed. This sense of neglect is echoed throughout numerous accounts where patients found themselves struggling without timely assistance, prompting fears about safety and adequate support during crucial recovery times. It raises serious questions about the operational standards being upheld at this rehabilitation center.

In addition to staffing problems, many reviewers reported unsanitary conditions within the facility itself. Disturbing observations included feces on floors and mold in heating units—issues that should not exist in any healthcare environment. Such cleanliness concerns were compounded by reports of insufficient bathroom access for patients; communal bathrooms posed both safety risks and heightened health threats, especially during a pandemic marked by COVID-19. Tragically, one patient’s experience underscores this negligence—after contracting COVID while at Sterling, he suffered immensely due to dehydration before finally requiring hospitalization.

The frustration over medication management was another recurring theme among patient experiences. One reviewer illustrated how their family member was significantly overmedicated post-surgery, resulting in an inability to participate in physical therapy sessions effectively. Despite repeated requests for clarity on medication regimens from healthcare staff members—who appeared oblivious or unresponsive—the condition of the patient deteriorated further until critical issues such as blood clots emerged that necessitated urgent medical intervention.

Communication lapses between staff and families also punctuate these reviews profoundly. Several accounts tell of mishaps involving room changes without prior notice or proper documentation leading family members into unnecessary distress while trying to contact loved ones within a confusing system lacking transparency from higher authorities. Promised amenities like phones remained unavailable long after initial requests were made, leaving vulnerable residents feeling isolated amidst their medical struggles.

While praise was given to certain therapy staff members who appeared dedicated despite overwhelming circumstances—often working short-staffed—the overall impression reveals an organizational crisis within Sterling of Riverside. Conditions like outdated equipment, inadequate nutrition options, and little oversight indicate systemic inefficiencies that can severely affect patient well-being. With grieving family members expressing heartbreak over losses attributed directly or indirectly to neglectful care practices at this facility, it is clear that improvements are urgently needed if it is ever to fulfill its intended purpose as a safe haven for healing rather than suffering.

In conclusion, potential patients must weigh these troubling testimonials seriously before considering Sterling of Riverside as an option for rehabilitation or long-term care. The alarming patterns described suggest not merely isolated incidents but highlight broader systemic failures within the establishment’s operations that could put any resident's life at risk regardless of their initial health status upon arrival. Until substantial reforms occur regarding staffing levels, cleaning protocols, communication practices with families—and perhaps even administrative accountability—it may be wise for concerned relatives seeking quality care elsewhere instead of risking additional emotional trauma in what has become an all-too-familiar narrative steeped in frustration and loss.

This part of Belcamp, Maryland is a convenient and bustling community with easy access to essential services such as hospitals, restaurants, pharmacies, physicians, cafes, theaters, and transportation options. The Upper Chesapeake Medical Center is in close proximity for any healthcare needs, while a variety of dining options like Arby's, McDonald's, and Cracker Barrel are nearby for dining out. Additionally, there are several pharmacies available for medication needs. For leisure activities, there is the Regal Bel Air Cinema for entertainment and nearby parks like Colonial Acres Playground and Rockfield Park for outdoor recreation. The area also has convenient transportation options with the Aberdeen MARC/Amtrak Station and Edgewood MARC Station within a short distance. Overall, this part of Belcamp offers a well-rounded and convenient living environment for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Hospitals

• Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• MedStar Health at Bel Air Medical Campus (6.1 miles)
• Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Arby's (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1 miles)
• Riverside Pub and Grille (1.1 miles)
• Bushmill Tavern (1.4 miles)
• Bull on the Turf (3.6 miles)
• Broom's Bloom Dairy (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Dermatology Bel Air (3.5 miles)
• Dental One Associates of Bel Air (3.5 miles)
• UM Harford Primary Care at Box Hill (3.6 miles)
• Thomas, Ronald E, Md - Medical Health Group-Bel Air (3.7 miles)
• Box Hill Pediatrics (3.8 miles)
• Mid-Atlantic Surgery Pavilion (4.4 miles)
• Physicians Pain Care (4.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Wegmans (3.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Klein's Supermarkets (4.5 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)
• Johnson Family Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Bel Air Cinema (4.4 miles)

Transportation

• Aberdeen MARC/Amtrak Station (4.7 miles)
• Edgewood MARC Station (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Colonial Acres Playground (6.2 miles)
• Rockfield Park (7.1 miles)