1201 17Th Street Ne, Austin, MN 55912
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare
Pros
The nurses are regarded as the best and show genuine care for residents and their families.- The staff are caring people.
- The facility is clean.
- The foot care providers are friendly and supportive.
Cons
The front door is not staffed, leading to poor communication and no follow-through on questions.- There is no staff to assist visitors, leaving them unsure where the rooms are.
- Chickens roam freely and their droppings are dragged inside on canes, walkers, and wheelchair wheels.
- The front desk is unmanned and employees seem to be wasting time.
- The name "Comforcare" is easily confused with "Comfort Care," which may mislead health care providers.
- The reviewer claims the HR person who posted a terrible statement is not fit to represent the nursing home.
Review
This community is best suited for families that prize hands-on nursing care delivered with warmth and a dependable, clean living environment. The clearest anchor is the nursing staff, repeatedly described as genuinely caring and attentive to both residents and families. When a resident requires timely medication administration, practical daily assistance, or steady oversight during transitions, those frontline caregivers often rise to the occasion with consistency. A clean, orderly setting reinforces dignity and safety, helping residents feel at least reasonably settled day to day. In short, the core value here is reliable bedside care, which anchors the experience even when other operational pieces falter.
For families who cannot tolerate gaps in administration or inconsistencies in how the site is run, alternatives should be considered. Front-desk coverage and the flow of information emerge as persistent pain points in several accounts. Reports of unmanned receptions, long waits for answers, and staff idling at the front door paint a picture of a campus where processes lag behind care quality. The atmosphere at times can feel unmanaged, which matters when visitors or residents need quick directions, scheduling, or help with non-clinical needs. If smooth operational performance and responsive front-office service are essential, exploring other communities with stronger administrative track records is prudent.
On balance, the strongest positive reinforces the decision: the nursing team’s dedication. Caregivers are viewed as genuinely caring toward residents and families, with attention to daily routines, comfort, and safety. Cleanliness stands out as well, supporting infection control and resident dignity. When care staff remain consistent and patient-focused, many routine tensions, such as coordination of care, timely communications, and resident orientation, can be mitigated despite other gaps. These strengths offset some organizational shortcomings, but they do not erase the impact of an underwhelming front-desk experience and branding confusion on the overall resident and family experience.
Yet several clear drawbacks pull the experience downward. The entrance and front-desk situation is repeatedly described as under-resourced, with no one consistently available to greet visitors or answer questions. This creates stressful visits, slow admissions, and blurred accountability for who handles which issues. A visibly informal campus environment, extended wait times, difficulty locating rooms, and inconsistent guidance, can magnify the stress of arranging care. The idea of chickens roaming outdoor spaces, contributing waste that can be tracked indoors via mobility devices, is an image that raises practical and health questions for residents. Branding confusion, the name Comforcare versus Comfort Care, adds to the sense that administrative messaging does not align with clinical quality, even when caregivers are capable.
Prospective residents should demand concrete assurances before choosing. Request current front-desk coverage schedules and a reliable point of contact who can address questions the same day. Visit at different times to test responsiveness during tours, admissions, and routine inquiries. Seek a formal action plan addressing the animal/yard management issue, campus cleanliness, and a clear protocol for housekeeping and pest control. Inquire how family communication is tracked and how care plans are updated and shared, with concrete examples. Clarify signage and marketing clarity to resolve branding confusion, ensuring that expectations align with reality.
For families who prize compassionate, capable nursing and a clean environment, this community can be a solid fit provided there is active oversight and a commitment to strengthening the administrative backbone. If consistent front-desk staffing, reliable communications, and a well-managed campus are non-negotiable, it is wise to explore alternatives, whether within the same Good Samaritan network or among other local facilities with steadier front-office operations. The decision should hinge on weighing the dependable, high-quality nursing care against the operational gaps and confirming that a transparent, responsive administration will support the resident’s daily life. Schedule conversations with current families, tour at varied times, and set explicit expectations before deciding.
44 resident community capacity
Skilled Nursing Facility
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
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