Belen Meadows Healthcare

Pros

• The staff were very friendly and helpful.
• The environment was clean and quiet.
• The PT/OT team was outstanding and helped patients reach their goals.
• The administrative staff were kind, informative, and responsive.
• Karen Gabaldon was friendly and informative, with outstanding professionalism.
• The front desk staff were courteous and professional.
• The facility is clean with no odors, and the staff are friendly and kind.

Cons

• The care was described as horrible.
• The bedside manner was the worst ever, and staff were accused of not knowing what they were doing.
• A family member reports the patient was not bathed, given the wrong foods, and neglected.
• The facility was described as dirty, with pee splashes in the bathroom.
• Therapy never showed up and the patient was left in a dirty bed, raising concerns of neglect.
• The physical therapy staff were accused of being aggressive and pushing the patient too hard.
• A granddaughter says they were discharged against medical advice and their decisions were ignored.
• Several reviewers warn not to place a loved one there, alleging elder abuse and that staff care only about money.

Review

Belen Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center appears in these accounts as a place where care can shine in some moments and falter in others. The collection of experiences describes a community that includes both deeply grateful families and others who are alarmed by what they perceive as neglect or unsafe conditions. Taken together, the reviews reveal a broad spectrum of daily realities within the facility, from courteous, communicative staff and clean surroundings to serious concerns about hygiene, nutrition, therapy consistency, and patient safety.

Many reviewers highlight the compassion and professionalism of the staff. Several grateful families credit individual workers with making a difference in their loved ones' days. They describe front desk personnel and nurses as friendly, helpful, and attentive, noting that staff carry out tasks beyond the minimum and often go the extra mile to comfort patients and families. Specific praise is directed toward therapists who helped residents regain mobility and confidence, with remarks about the PT/OT teams being outstanding or at least greatly appreciated. One family member thanked a staff member by name for guiding complex transitions and smoothing the paperwork process, while others describe nurses and aides as "very professional" and the environment as "clean and quiet." In a few intimate moments, staff are remembered for their kindness during visits, with residents and their families expressing gratitude for human warmth amid the routine of daily care.

There are also many positive anecdotes about everyday acts of kindness and routine care that contribute to a sense of security and normalcy. Comments about specific hall staff who ensured rooms remained clean, were proactive about changing linens and assisting residents out of bed, and who were described as tentative and attentive reflect a perception of steady, dependable care. Several reviews emphasize the facility's ability to coordinate nonclinical needs as well - such as arranging religious services or coordinating with hospital teams to manage transitions - where staff and administrators appeared to work together to respect residents' cultural and spiritual practices. The sense of being treated like family, with clear communication and responsive problem-solving, comes through in multiple passages.

Yet the experiences cited are not one-note. A number of reviewers express serious concerns that range from administrative friction to direct accusations of neglect. One particularly stark review warns prospective families to avoid the facility, describing a litany of failures - untreated pain, inadequate bathing, incorrect or unacceptable food choices for residents with specific dietary needs, and a lack of therapy oversight. The reviewer claims that a loved one was not fed properly, was given inappropriate foods, and that therapy sessions did not occur as promised, all amid a frightening level of despair and a sense that harm could be occurring. The language is urgent and unequivocal, signaling a profound fear for safety and wellbeing.

Another review paints an equally alarming portrait of neglect and mistreatment. This account details a sequence of failures: extreme delays in basic personal care, bedsores, missed opportunities for help with toileting and hygiene, and a pattern of dismissive or condescending responses from social workers. The writer asserts that a patient remained in discomfort over long periods, with insufficient assistance to bathe or change dressings, and claims that discharge decisions were mishandled and communicated in a callous manner. The reviewer uses strong language to describe elder abuse, urging families to avoid the facility and to report concerns to authorities.

In sum, the narratives present a facility that can be a place of genuine care and relief for some families while simultaneously becoming a source of grave worry for others. The contrast between consistently praised staff members and isolated but severe allegations underscores the importance of firsthand observation, dialogue with leadership, and careful assessment of individual needs when evaluating long-term or short-term care options. Cleanliness and atmosphere, staff professionalism, and the quality of therapy emerge as recurring themes, but questions about feeding, bathing, staff responsiveness at night and on weekends, and the consistency of care persist across multiple testimonials.

For families considering placement here, these reviews suggest a need for thorough due diligence. Potential residents and their loved ones would do well to visit at different times, observe how staff interact with patients, review the facility's response protocols to concerns, and verify the availability of adequate staffing during nights and weekends. Communication with administrators about care plans, dietary restrictions, and therapy schedules appears to be a critical factor in shaping the daily experience - and in many cases, could be the difference between a care environment that feels supportive versus one that feels unsafe. If there are ongoing concerns about safety or treatment, contacting supervising clinicians, hospital partners, or state regulatory bodies may be prudent steps to take, alongside direct conversations with the facility to address specific incidents and establish a clear plan for improvement.

This part of Belen, New Mexico offers a range of amenities that would be beneficial for seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient living environment. In close proximity, there are several family practice specialists, pharmacies, cafes, restaurants, and places of worship catering to diverse needs. Additionally, the transportation options like the NM Rail Runner and Belen Station make it easy to get around the area. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, there are parks nearby such as Los Lunas Sports Complex and Riverside Park Los Lunas. Overall, this area provides a mix of healthcare facilities, dining options, religious institutions, and recreational opportunities that could contribute to a comfortable senior living experience.

Physicians

• Family Practice Specialists (0.2 miles)
• Presbyterian, Presbyterian Medical Group (0.3 miles)
• First Choice Community Healthcare (0.8 miles)
• Total Eye Care Optometrists (0.8 miles)
• Valencia Family Medicine (11 miles)
• Wicks Dane K MD Enchantment Healthcare (11.1 miles)
• Enchantment Healthcare (11.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Pennys Diner Belen (0.4 miles)
• Circle T Burgers (0.7 miles)
• Taqueria Sinaloa (0.8 miles)
• Hondumex (0.8 miles)
• Rita's New Mexican Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Rutilio's New Mexican Foods (1.2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Belen Christian Church (0.5 miles)
• Belen English Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (0.8 miles)
• Christian Family Fellowship (0.9 miles)
• Freedom Worship Center formerly Rampart Christian Fellowship (1.1 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (1.1 miles)
• First Baptist Church (1.2 miles)
• Belen Missionary Baptist Church (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Alejandro's Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Morgans Cakes & More (0.9 miles)
• Casa De Abo (1.7 miles)
• Grounded Bookstore and Coffee Shop (2.6 miles)
• Sunrise Cafe (7.3 miles)
• Valencia Coffee (9.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Share 'n Care Compounding Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Buckland Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (11.5 miles)
• Natural Rx (11.5 miles)
• Albertsons Market Pharmacy (11.6 miles)
• Sav-On Pharmacy (11.6 miles)

Transportation

• Belen Station (1.4 miles)
• NM Rail Runner (1.5 miles)
• Belen Regional Airport BRG (2.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.3 miles)
• Mountain Legends Taxidermy (5.8 miles)
• Mid Valley Airpark (E98) (7.6 miles)
• Mountain Air Helicopters (8.1 miles)

Parks

• Los Lunas Sports Complex (10 miles)
• River Park (11.2 miles)
• Riverside Park Los Lunas (11.3 miles)
• Los Lunas Parks & Recreation (11.9 miles)
• Cypress Estates Park (11.9 miles)
• San Antonio Park (12.6 miles)