Westwood of Niles

Pros

• The staff at West Woods of Niles are friendly and attentive to residents.
• West Woods of Niles is described as a great place to work, with management promptly fulfilling staff needs.
• Long-tenured staff at West Woods of Niles demonstrate dedication and genuinely care about residents.
• Residents praise the friendly staff, helpful CNAs, and attentive nurses.
• The activity staff are wonderful and provide meaningful daily activities for residents.
• Families report great care and support from all levels of staff.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and comfortable for residents and visitors.
• The staff treat residents like family and go the extra mile for their well-being.
• West Woods of Niles fosters a strong sense of community and belonging for residents.

Cons

• The staff did not attempt to save a choking resident and only called an ambulance.
• The response to emergencies was inadequate, resulting in the resident ending up on life support.
• The facility is severely understaffed and has non-existent security.
• The care is described as terrible, with staff attitudes that are cruel and unprofessional.
• The corporate office staff are accused of being unprofessional and dishonest.
• Call bells are not answered, leaving residents in excruciating pain.
• There are claims that the facility keeps elderly residents to collect pension checks.

Review

The range of recent reviews about West Woods of Niles (also referred to in some remarks as Westwood of Nile's or West Woods in various spellings) paints a picture of a facility that can feel like two different places at once. On one hand, many family members, residents, and former staff describe a warm, friendly environment with a strong sense of community. They praise the staff for being attentive, caring, and genuinely invested in the well-being of residents. Multiple voices highlight that the management tends to respond to staff needs promptly, which in turn helps the residents receive better, more consistent care. There are stories of long-tenured employees, some boasting years of service that suggest deep familiarity with residents and their routines. This sentiment is echoed by residents themselves, who point to the kindness of nurses, aides, and activity staff, and who often mention how meaningful daily programs and interactions feel. The atmosphere is described as welcoming, with residents noting that the halls feel clean and there is a sense of home rather than a sterile institution.

A thread running through many positive accounts is the emphasis on personalized attention and a supportive, family-like culture. Reviewers repeatedly describe staff who go beyond the basics - assisting with physical therapy, participating in activities, and taking time to address individual needs. Residents talk about dedicated activity teams that come up with varied programming and even small, thoughtful touches like tending to plants or bringing treats. The testimonials frequently highlight caregivers who treat loved ones as family, with anecdotes about gentle encouragement, consistent bedside care, and communication with families that helps them feel informed and involved. Some residents specifically name staff members who stood out for their compassion and competence, noting nurses and therapy teams who made a real difference in rehabilitation stays or in long-term care experiences. In short, the positive reviews emphasize a culture of warmth, companionship, and dependable support in day-to-day life at the home.

Amid the positive mood, several long-standing residents and family members salute the facility for the quality of rehab and the overall living environment. There are comments about successful short-term rehabilitation stays and the comfort of being cared for by people who treat clients with kindness. People say the dining and activity calendars are arranged in ways that honor personal preferences, and they speak gratefully about staff who foster an uplifting atmosphere. Some reviews even celebrate the sense of community that develops over time, describing West Woods as a place where people smile more, feel accepted, and engage with purpose. This batch of feedback consistently conveys a belief that, for many families, West Woods can be a solid choice for both rehab and long-term care when the staff are in place and the program remains person-centered.

Yet, alongside these positive voices, there is a heavy, sobering note from a serious incident that casts a shadow over the facility's reputation for some families. One review recounts a grave medical event where a resident was given the wrong food, choked, and the staff allegedly did not attempt the Heimlich maneuver before an ambulance was called. The account describes the patient deteriorating to the point of needing life support at a hospital, with a neurologist advising that there was no chance of recovery, culminating in the family pulling life support. This narrative is stark and distressing, and the reviewer notes that a lawyer is already involved. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of missteps in food safety and emergency response, and it stands in sharp contrast to the otherwise affectionate testimonials about daily care.

Other critical remarks focus on broader systemic concerns, painting a more challenging picture of everyday operations. Several reviewers describe the facility as severely understaffed and, in some cases, with security deemed lacking. Complaints include call buttons going unanswered, residents left in discomfort or pain, and a sense that the facility's civil and professional standards may dip during times of high need. A number of commenters insist that the care provided can vary dramatically by shift or by individual staff, and they urge prospective families to consider these realities carefully. There are explicit accusations of unprofessional behavior from staff and leaders, with some reviewers asserting a pattern of poor communication with families and a lack of consistent oversight. A few accounts specifically call out doctors and coordinators who failed to visit or provide timely care, describing the situation as unacceptable and urging others to avoid the facility if possible. The tone throughout these remarks is cautionary, stressing the importance of firsthand verification and clear expectations before placing a loved one in care.

Despite the negative observations, there are still voices that offer measured praise or at least acknowledge positive experiences, even within a broader spectrum of critique. A number of reviews highlight moments of kindness, clean facilities, and home-like ambiance that helped residents feel respected and cared for. Individual staff members garner appreciation for their compassion and effort, with some stories focusing on the small daily acts that brighten a resident's day - an affectionate greeting, a well-timed laugh, or a thoughtful gesture during therapy or activities. There are even mentions of positive interactions with staffer Sarah, described as personable and devoted to residents, which underscores that moments of genuine care do exist amid broader concerns. A few residents and families recount cheerful days and successful recoveries, illustrating that the facility can deliver excellent experiences when the system is functioning well and staff are aligned.

In sum, the collective commentary about West Woods of Niles presents a complex, real-world portrait. For some families, the home stands out as a friendly, community-centered place where staff are caring, activities are engaging, and rehabilitation and long-term care feel personal and supportive. For others, the experience is marred by serious safety concerns, under staffing, and inconsistent care, with painful anecdotes about unresponsive staff and avoidable distress. The most powerful takeaway is the need for prospective residents and their loved ones to conduct thorough, firsthand evaluations - visit the facility, speak with current residents and families, review staffing levels and protocols, and ask direct questions about emergency response, physician oversight, and daily routines. The range of experiences documented here suggests that outcomes at West Woods of Niles can vary significantly depending on the shift, the staff on duty, and the resources available on any given day.

Parks

• St Patrick's County Park (1.1 miles)
• Fulkerson Park (1.5 miles)
• Riverfront Park (4.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Beacon Home Care (4.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Clear Choice Adult Day (2.1 miles)
• Healthwin Specialized Care (2.3 miles)
• Allied Physicians Surgery Center (4.2 miles)
• Saint Joseph Reg Med Center (4.2 miles)
• Lakeland Hospital - Radiology (4.6 miles)
• Lakeland Hospital (4.6 miles)
• Lake Region Medical Center (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ the King Catholic Church (2.1 miles)
• The Grotto (4.1 miles)
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart (4.1 miles)
• Islamic Society of Michiana (4.8 miles)
• Granger Community Church (4.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Wings Etc (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Culver's (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)
• Bob Evans (3.3 miles)
• Culver's (3.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Martin's Side Door Deli (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• South Bend Clinic (2.9 miles)
• South Bend Clinic-Portage (2.9 miles)
• South Bend Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Indiana Eye Institute (3.2 miles)
• Portage Medical Group (3.3 miles)
• Northwest Family Medicine (3.5 miles)
• Michiana Gastroenterology (3.8 miles)