Good Samaritan Society - Valentine

Pros

• Aisli was very happy with the facility, the residents, and the management.
• The facility has large plans for the future.

Cons

• The facility is described as the worst nursing home the reviewer has experienced, with persistent understaffing and poor quality of care.
• Management is described as very poor, with high turnover.
• The quality of food is poor.
• Staff are described as unpleasant and rude.
• The administrator is said to lack a degree or any relevant experience.
• It is claimed that using a hoyer lift is illegal and the facility breaks this law every day.
• The facility is described as overpriced given the poor care and understaffing.
• The facility did not pay extra COVID pay but expected workers to handle COVID patients.
• Mandatory COVID tests allegedly led to hospital harassment over an outstanding balance.
• Communication with the facility is poor, with attempts to reach them resulting in a nonstop ringing phone.

Review

This community is best suited for families that want a facility with a visible managerial presence and a homey, resident-focused atmosphere, and that are prepared to take an active role in supervising daily care. The strongest signals from the mixed feedback suggest that when management is accessible and engaged, residents and their families can experience a genuine, caring environment. It is a place where hopeful longevity and steady routines can emerge if oversight is consistent and staff interact with warmth. For families seeking a straightforward, hands-off placement, this facility may feel less reliable. The reality is that the appeal rests on relationships and leadership visibility, not on flawless operations or guaranteed care outcomes.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are families with high care needs, very particular care standards, or a tight budget. The most persistent critiques focus on understaffing, high turnover, and variable quality of care, which translates into inconsistent attention and slower response times. Additional concerns about management authority, whether perceived as inexperienced or insufficiently credentialed, contribute to a sense of instability. Food quality and staff demeanor emerge as additional pain points, and a notable billing-related grievance hints at financial friction that can complicate ongoing arrangements. For anyone prioritizing predictable staffing, professional leadership, and transparent financial processes, other options deserve careful comparison.

On the pro side, there are credible signals of value when the right dynamics are in play. A traveling CNA who worked there reported genuine satisfaction with the residents and the management, underscoring that, in the right circumstances, the culture can be respectful and supportive. A reviewer noting “large plans for the future” signals capital investment and potential improvements that could elevate care over time. Additionally, the facility’s environment and core community of residents appear to be appealing to some families, offering a sense of stability and companionship that can be meaningful for those who do not require intensive, around-the-clock medical oversight. These positives create a credible foundation for real improvement when staffing and processes are stabilized.

Yet the major drawbacks carry real weight for decision-makers. Chronic understaffing and high turnover directly undermine daily care and consistency, often leaving residents waiting for assistance and families uncertain about who is delivering care on any given shift. Management is repeatedly called into question, and the perception that leadership lacks experience or formal credentials can erode trust, especially for families navigating complex medical needs. The reported quality of food and the tone of some staff interactions further detract from a sense of overall value. The financial dimension is troubling as well, with at least one account describing care as overpriced relative to service quality and another illustrating disputes that can strain family finances and provider relationships. Taken together, these factors create a substantial risk profile for residents who rely on dependable staffing and professional governance.

For families weighing the decision, actionable due diligence is essential. Before moving in, request current staffing rosters and observe several shift handovers to gauge consistency and speed of response. Interview frontline caregivers about training, supervision, and escalation procedures, and ask for concrete examples of how trouble-shooting and error prevention are managed. Obtain a current menu and request opportunities to sample meals, then compare to alternative communities. Meet the administrator, review how billing is handled, and request copies of recent state inspection reports to understand deficiencies and corrective actions. Seek candid input from multiple families with current residents to identify patterns over time. This diligence will illuminate whether any perceived warmth can be sustained in the face of ongoing operational realities.

Bottom line: Good Samaritan Society - Valentine presents a mixed proposition that will work for a specific subset of families, particularly those who can actively oversee daily routines and value a welcoming resident culture. For those who demand consistent staffing, reliable care delivery, and proven administrative leadership, this facility falls short in meaningful ways. The strongest offset lies in moments of genuine staff-resident connection and the potential for improvement signaled by forward-looking plans, but that potential must be realized through stable staffing, transparent governance, and disciplined financial practices. If the visit confirms solid staffing and credible leadership, it may be worth a closer look; otherwise, pursuing other nearby options where care quality and operational stability are more reliably demonstrated is the prudent course.

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church (0.1 miles)
• St Nicholas Catholic Church (0.2 miles)
• St John's Episcopal Church (0.4 miles)
• Lutheran Church Our Saviour Missouri Synod (0.5 miles)
• Lakeview Community Church (0.8 miles)
• Crossroads Assembly (0.8 miles)
• Wels (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Valentine Medical Clinic (0.4 miles)
• Cherry County Clinic (1 miles)
• Cherry County Clinic (1 miles)

Restaurants

• Coach Light Inn (0.4 miles)
• Corner Bar (0.5 miles)
• Milo n Max's (0.5 miles)
• Frosty Drive-In (0.6 miles)
• Subway (0.6 miles)
• Bunkhouse Saloon (0.7 miles)
• Bunkhouse Restaurant & Lounge (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Auntie D's (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Pamida (0.4 miles)

Parks

• Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (0.4 miles)
• Niobrara National Scenic River (0.6 miles)
• Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area (0.7 miles)
• Valentine City Park (0.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Cherry County Hospital (1.1 miles)