Elderwood Skilled Nursing at Williamsville in Buffalo, NY

Pros

• The therapists were fantastic.
• The facility is wonderful and highly recommended.
• Families felt welcomed and informed, and residents received quality, compassionate care.
• The food is delicious.
• The staff were helpful and kind.
• The physical therapy team is excellent and talented.
• The activities offered are fantastic.

Cons

• The food tasted awful, was always cold, and portions were small.
• Residents were served someone else's meals on three occasions.
• The facility was severely understaffed.
• The call button often took an hour or more to be answered.
• The bathroom was dirty, with a toilet paper holder hanging off the wall and the bathroom call button cord not connected.
• The facility should be shut down.
• Staff refused medical care to an elderly patient during COVID, and refused entry to family for medical care.
• Staff treated the weak and elderly in a disgusting manner.
• Elderwood only cared about money.
• They refused to let residents leave with family.
• A relative's health deteriorated under their care, and the family was never notified.
• Administration failed to introduce themselves for days; questions yielded inconsistent answers; the call button was moved and unreachable with long delays.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking skilled rehabilitation services who are prepared to supervise care closely and advocate consistently. When staffing is adequate and management is responsive, the therapy team can deliver meaningful progress, and the facility's park-like setting and engaging activities can support a resident's quality of life. In practice, this means it can work for residents who require intensive therapy and who have family members ready to monitor daily care, address concerns quickly, and push for timely responses. It is not a hands-off option; it rewards families who stay involved and demand accountability.

Those who should consider alternatives are families that cannot accept irregular staffing, slow call-bell responses, or persistent questions about cleanliness and safety. If reliable, respectful treatment and prompt decision-making are non-negotiable, the evidence across reviews points to better fits elsewhere. Residents who require consistent safety oversight, predictable routines, and transparent communication should look at other facilities with stronger track records on staffing stability, housekeeping standards, and administrative follow-through. For memory care and medically complex needs, the facility's mixed reputation suggests evaluating several options before committing.

The strongest positives center on the rehab and therapeutic side. Several reviewers highlight excellent therapists, patient physical therapy teams, and compassionate clinicians who helped residents regain function or cope with illness. The activities program and social engagement also stand out in favorable accounts, contributing to meaningful moments for families who visit. The setting - green spaces and a busy but welcoming atmosphere - adds a lot of everyday comfort. A few families report consistently kind aides and attentive nurses, and in those cases families felt their loved ones were getting genuine attention and respect. When these elements align, the experience can be markedly better than the bottom-line ratings would suggest.

However, the major drawbacks offset many of the bright spots. Chronic understaffing, long call-button delays, and inconsistent floor coverage recur in the reviews, producing a pattern of residents waiting for basic assistance and, at times, subpar sanitation in bathrooms and common areas. Reports of miscommunications, shifting answers from different staff members, and management gaps underscore a culture where accountability is uneven. Several accounts reference unsettling incidents - perceived neglect, inappropriate conduct by some leaders, and care lapses during critical moments - that erode trust and demand rigorous oversight by families and supervisors. The tension between strong therapy teams and problematic day-to-day care creates a precarious balance for anyone evaluating this site.

In deciding whether to pursue Elderwood Williamsville, families should prioritize practical checks that reveal the true day-to-day environment. Tour during peak times to witness response times and floor presence; request to meet the director of nursing and the therapy leads; review current staffing ratios by shift; ask about recent QA and safety incident trends; and request candid updates on cleanliness, laundry, and bathroom maintenance. Asking for direct, written explanations of care plans and scheduled progress updates can separate hopeful impressions from verifiable performance. If any red flags - unresolved maintenance issues, delayed responses, or staff turnover - surface repeatedly, it is prudent to broaden the search.

Bottom line: this facility can be a viable choice for families who are ready to actively manage care and who place a premium on high-quality rehabilitation and meaningful activity programs. For many families, though, the prevailing concerns about staffing, responsiveness, and basic daily care are decisive. Alternatives with stronger, more consistent staffing, cleaner environments, and transparent administration are worth strong consideration given the stakes. If staying with Elderwood Williamsville, approach with a detailed oversight plan, frequent family-staff communications, and a clear escalation path to administration to ensure safety, dignity, and steady progress for a loved one.

Located in the suburban area of Buffalo, New York, this neighborhood offers a range of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With close proximity to hospitals like Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and various physicians' offices, residents have access to medical care within a short distance. Additionally, there are numerous dining options ranging from casual cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread to upscale restaurants like The Oak Stave Drinkery & Eatery. Pharmacies such as Wegmans and Rite Aid are also conveniently located nearby for any medication needs. For recreational activities, there are several parks in the vicinity where residents can enjoy nature walks or picnics. Transportation options are easily accessible with Buffalo Niagara International Airport just a short drive away, making it convenient for travel. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient living environment for seniors in Buffalo, NY.

Hospitals

• Millard Fillmore Suburban NICU (0.2 miles)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (0.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Libation Station (0.6 miles)
• Dandelions Restaurant (1.5 miles)
• Tavern at Windsor Park (1.7 miles)
• The Oak Stave Drinkery & Eatery (1.9 miles)
• Pizza Plant Italian Pub (2.1 miles)
• Elmo's (2.2 miles)
• Pautlers Drive In Of Clarence (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Tim Hortons (1.9 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wegmans (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• Wegmans (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Brain and Spine Center (1.6 miles)
• Town & Village Pediatrics (2.2 miles)
• Windsong Radiology Group (2.4 miles)
• Northtowns Cardiology (2.6 miles)
• Western New York Dermatology (2.8 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates (2.8 miles)
• Dr David J. Altman, MD (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Glen Park (2.4 miles)
• Island Park (2.6 miles)
• South Long Park (2.9 miles)
• Meadowlakes (3.2 miles)
• Ellicott Creek Park (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Newman Center at UB (3.3 miles)
• The Chapel (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Transit Center & IMAX (3.5 miles)
• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (3.8 miles)
• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (5.9 miles)

Transportation

• Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) (4.4 miles)
• TSA Pre-️Lane (4.4 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Co. (4.4 miles)
• Amtrak - Buffalo, NY Depew Station (BUF) (6.3 miles)