South Shore Care Ctr

Pros

• The staff are amazing.
• The atmosphere is friendly and feels like a family home.
• Everyone there is nice to residents; the residents are cared for and loved.
• The nurses were great and answered all questions.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and highly professional.
• The center supports positive experiences like visits, Communion, and hymn-singing, with staff remaining pleasant.

Cons

• The phone system is poor and makes it hard for families to reach their loved ones.
• The food options are unappealing and not recommended, with items like hotdogs and other inexpensive, questionable-health foods.
• A night-shift nurse was rude and dismissive about death, implying family members should accept it.
• A friend reportedly choked after pills were not crushed as requested, indicating a safety lapse.
• There are allegations that some staff steal money from residents.
• The facility is dated and could use a major remodel.
• Some nurses were described as abusive and not taking time with patients.
• Some reviewers feel staff prioritize paychecks over residents' well-being.

Review

The experiences shared about South Shore Care Center run a wide spectrum from heartfelt praise to troubling warnings. On the positive side, several remarks highlight a warm, welcoming environment where the staff are described as friendly and the atmosphere feels like a family home. Families talk about staff who are consistently kind, patient, and attentive, and they note that the facility's culture often centers on care and personal recognition. One reviewer simply called the staff "amazing," while another described the place as a place where the residents are treated with respect and safety is prioritized. The sense that staff go above and beyond is echoed in comments about how the center functions under pressure, with praise for the way nurses and aides respond when questions arise and how families feel listened to during everyday care.

There are also stories that emphasize genuine care and gratitude from residents and their families. A family member spoke highly of how their uncle was treated - described as being in "great hands" and receiving very responsive, thorough attention from the care team. The same thread of appreciation appears in comments about the facility's activities and outreach: staff and volunteers who bring religious services, hymns, and visits, and a broader sense of community that extends beyond routine caregiving. Even when the facility is described as dated and in need of physical upgrades, the staff's professionalism and the positive interactions with residents leave a strong impression in several reviews. In short, for many, the people who work there are a bright spot and the daily reality is defined by kindness, safety, and a supportive resident?family dynamic.

However, the reviews also contain persistent concerns that reveal serious gaps in communication, safety, and quality of life. One family describes a painful experience from five years ago, when their aunt, who had just entered hospice care, seemed to be declining and the care team offered blunt, unsympathetic commentary during a difficult night. A nurse's offhand remark - "This is what happens during death. Haven't you been around death before?" - and the broader pattern of professionals deflecting questions with vague assurances left the family feeling unsettled and disrespected. The takeaway from this account is not only a moment of harsh bedside communication but a broader sense that families are left out of the loop at critical moments, and that honesty about prognosis was delivered in a way that felt brutal rather than compassionate.

Safety and medical care also raise red flags in some reviews. A caregiver recounts a frightening incident in which a request to have a pill crushed for a loved one led to choking after the pill was not crushed as requested, highlighting the potential consequences of medication administration decisions. This is paired with complaints about being told to "stay out of the room" or being met with uncertainty when trying to navigate care, signaling a need for clearer, more respectful communication between staff and families. Another comment questions the integrity of some staff, alleging that a few employees steal money from residents, which underscores a broader concern about trustworthy oversight and consistent professionalism in day-to-day operations. Combined, these stories suggest that while many staff members are dedicated, the facility may struggle with staffing levels, supervision, and adherence to best practices in patient safety.

Understaffing and its ripple effects appear repeatedly. Several reviews call for more staff, noting that the current rhythm of care can be strained, especially during demanding shifts or when families are seeking timely assistance. There's also a call for more robust accountability and safer, more consistent care across shifts. In addition to staffing concerns, some reviewers point to the physical condition of the building as a barrier to comfort and quality, noting that the Care Center is dated and could benefit from a serious remodel to improve functionality and the overall environment for residents.

Religious and community engagement emerges as a meaningful thread in several accounts. Visitors and volunteers note how the care center facilitates spiritual support, with services like communion and hymn-singing offered to residents. The long-standing involvement of visiting ministries - described as having ministered at South Shore since 2005 - adds a dimension of ongoing community connection that many residents value. While the physical facility may be aging, these positive interactions with clergy and volunteers reinforce the sense that the center remains a place where residents can participate in meaningful experiences and be seen as part of a broader community.

Ultimately, the set of reviews paints a nuanced portrait of South Shore Care Center: a place where moments of compassion, warmth, and connectedness shine through, but where serious concerns about communication, safety, staffing, and even financial integrity temper the overall impression. For some families, the staff's kindness and the sense of being cared for by dedicated professionals outweigh the drawbacks, and they speak highly of the ongoing support provided to both residents and their families. For others, experiences that felt disempowering or unsafe - ranging from blunt conversations about death to questions about medication administration and potential theft - underscore a need for systemic improvements. The consensus, in short, is that people care deeply about their loved ones here, but the center would benefit from stronger governance, clearer communication, more robust staffing, and ongoing investments to modernize facilities and safeguard residents' well-being.

This part of Worthington, Minnesota, offers a peaceful and convenient setting for senior living. With several places of worship nearby, such as First Lutheran Church Elca and St Mary's Catholic Church, residents can easily practice their faith. Transportation options are readily available with the Prairieland Transit System and Worthington Taxi close by. There are also a variety of restaurants to enjoy, including A & T Tap and Panda House Chinese Restaurant. For medical needs, there are multiple physicians' offices in the area, such as Lakefield Branch Clinic and Sanford Health Cancer Center. Additionally, Sanford Regional Hospital Worthington is conveniently located for any emergency care needed. Several pharmacies are close by for medication needs, such as Sterling Pharmacy and Guidepoint Pharmacy. Parks like Millard Walker Park provide beautiful outdoor spaces to relax and stay active. Overall, this part of Worthington offers a comfortable and inviting environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Places of Worship

• First Lutheran Church Elca (0.1 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (0.1 miles)
• Journey Ministries (0.1 miles)
• Iglesia De Dios De La Profecia (0.2 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (0.2 miles)
• St Mary's Catholic Church (0.3 miles)
• St Mary's Faith Formation Center (0.3 miles)

Transportation

• Prairieland Transit System (0.1 miles)
• Worthington Taxi (0.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.9 miles)
• Worthington Municipal Airport (OTG) (2 miles)

Restaurants

• A & T Tap (0.1 miles)
• Panaderia Mi Tierra (0.2 miles)
• El Taco (0.2 miles)
• Panda House Chinese Restaurant (0.2 miles)
• Pupuseria & Restaurant Crystal (0.5 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (0.6 miles)
• Taco John's (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Phileo's Coffee & Eatery (0.1 miles)
• Alano Club (0.7 miles)
• Lantern Coffeehouse & Roastery (17.2 miles)

Physicians

• Lakefield Branch Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Urology Specialists (0.2 miles)
• Iowa Lakes Orthopaedics (0.2 miles)
• Sanford Health Cancer Center (0.2 miles)
• Ophthalmology (0.3 miles)
• Worthington Hearing Aid Service (0.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Sanford Regional Hospital Worthington (0.2 miles)
• Family Medicine Clinic (16.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sterling Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Sterling Drug (0.2 miles)
• Guidepoint Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Sterling Drug (0.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Lewis Drug (16.9 miles)

Parks

• Millard Walker Park (0.5 miles)
• Chatauqua Park (0.7 miles)
• Chautauqua Park (0.7 miles)
• Centennial Park (1.1 miles)
• Olson Park (2.2 miles)
• Watland Park (2.7 miles)
• Ocheyedan Pits Recreation Area (16.5 miles)