Ladera Nursing Ctr in Albuquerque, NM

Pros

• The facility goes above and beyond for residents and staff.
• They believe in their staff and strive to educate them.
• Residents receive the extra care they need and feel at home.
• Call lights are answered quickly.
• The medical staff are amiable and professional.
• The therapy department consistently pushes residents to regain their strength.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and accommodating.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and offers plenty of activities.
• CNAs and nurses are quick to respond and attentive to needs.
• It is a safe space to recover and comes highly recommended.

Cons

• The facility is described as incompetent and uncaring, with negligence that allegedly led to an overdose.
• The business operations manager allegedly used high-pressure tactics to demand details about a relative's finances.
• Some staff are unprofessional and rude, and often do not listen to patients.
• The place reportedly smells like urine and is not clean.
• There is a serious shortage of medical staff, with ratios like 30 patients to 1 nurse, compromising care.
• Staff are criticized for being unknowledgeable or giving medical explanations that do not make sense.
• The facility failed to inform families that it could not care for a patient until after they contacted the facility, showing poor communication.

Review

Ladera Nursing Center in Albuquerque is best suited for families seeking a rehab-focused skilled-nursing environment where therapy drives recovery and attentive frontline staff create a home-like atmosphere. It works well for seniors who need post-acute rehabilitation to regain mobility, as well as long-term residents who want reliable daily care and a social, engaged setting. The facility earns praise for a culture that values training, teamwork, and genuine warmth from aides, nurses, and therapists. Those who want an upscale building or a setting with flawless administrative predictability will want alternatives. The blend of strong therapy and a supportive environment positions Ladera as a practical, results-oriented choice for the right resident.

On the positive side, the strongest asset is the frontline care: CNAs and nurses are described as kind, responsive, and consistently available, with call bells answered quickly. The therapy department is repeatedly highlighted for effectiveness and motivation, helping residents regain strength and independence. The building is clean, inviting, and generally calm, with social staff and front-desk teams creating a welcoming first impression. Residents form friendships, participate in activities, and report feeling seen and cared for. This combination of hands-on attention and robust therapy translates into tangible improvements in function and confidence for many stayers.

Yet there are notable red flags that families cannot overlook. Several reviews describe business-operational friction, invasive or conflicting billing discussions, and communication gaps that can undermine trust at critical moments. Reports of discharge delays, questions about coverage, and some claims of unprofessional interactions with staff echo ongoing management challenges. A subset of comments mentions odors or perceived inconsistencies in cleanliness, and other families feel unheard or rushed during or after difficult transitions. While these concerns are not universal, they create a meaningful caveat for anyone considering Ladera.

Despite the negatives, the core strengths often offset the downsides. The therapy program remains a clear differentiator, with patients reporting meaningful gains and therapists who tailor plans to individual pain and mobility limits. Consistently positive remarks about staff warmth, reliability in medication administration, and the overall cleanliness reinforce that residents experience real, day-to-day quality of care. The willingness to train traveling staff and emphasize ongoing staff education signals a facility that aims to improve and stabilize, particularly in the face of turnover. When administration supports the front lines, care quality becomes more predictable and more reassuring for families.

This facility is a pragmatic fit for families prioritizing rehabilitation outcomes and daily, attentive care over pristine administrative metrics. Those most likely to benefit include long-term residents who want steady therapy, veterans seeking respite, and families who can maintain active involvement with clinicians and care planning. However, those who need airtight billing practices, immediate, consistent staffing, or a newer, odor-free building may prefer alternatives. Prospective entrants should ask for exact nurse-to-patient ratios, review incident reports, and observe shifts to gauge consistency before committing.

Practical next steps: arrange a tour during a therapy session, request to meet the therapy lead, the nurse on the floor, and the front-desk supervisor; verify CNA coverage by shift, and speak with administration about discharge planning and billing processes. Inquire about VA respite options and long-term care pathways, and observe a meal and therapy session to assess pacing, responsiveness, and dining quality. With a robust therapy pipeline and a compassionate frontline, Ladera Nursing Center stands as a strong option for the right family - provided due diligence confirms alignment with expectations and needs.

This part of Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors. With a variety of healthcare options including physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals within close proximity, residents can easily access medical care. The area also features several parks for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Additionally, there are cafes and restaurants nearby for socializing and enjoying meals, as well as transportation options such as the Alvarado Transportation Center and Amtrak & Greyhound Station for easy travel. Places of worship like Saint George Greek Orthodox Church and Faith Chapel provide spiritual support and community connections. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Physicians

• Keith Basham, PA (0.3 miles)
• Women's Specialists of New Mexico (3.3 miles)
• Medicine At Downtown (3.4 miles)
• Duke City Recovery Toolbox (3.7 miles)
• Lovelace Neurosciences Center (4.1 miles)
• Infectious Diseases & Internal Medicine Associates PC (4.1 miles)
• Gamma Knife Center of New Mexico (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Medicine Chest (3 miles)
• Albuquerque City Drug (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Golden Pride BBQ Chicken & Ribs (2.1 miles)
• Wendy's (2.5 miles)
• Dog House Drive In (3.1 miles)
• Campo (3.3 miles)
• Whataburger (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Olympia Cafe (5.3 miles)
• Satellite Coffee (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Michael Thomas Coffee (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Petroglyph National Monument (1.8 miles)
• Graves Park (3 miles)
• Montecito Estates Park (3.8 miles)
• Roosevelt Park (4.8 miles)
• Altura Park (6 miles)
• Hyder Park (6.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Comadre A Comadre (2.5 miles)
• Lovelace Medical Center - Downtown (4.2 miles)
• Heart Hospital of New Mexico (4.3 miles)
• UNM Cancer Reseach and Treatment Center (4.5 miles)
• Presbyterian (4.6 miles)
• Carrie Tingley Childrens Hospital (4.7 miles)
• UNM Hospital Hope Building (5 miles)

Transportation

• Alvarado Transportation Center (3.9 miles)
• Amtrak & Greyhound Station (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint George Greek Orthodox Church (4.3 miles)
• Faith Chapel (5.3 miles)