St Catherine Laboure Health

Pros

• The team of professionals cared for the patient in a very caring and professional manner.
• The team addressed all of the patient's concerns as well as those of the family.
• The food was accommodating to the patient's dietary needs.
• When the patient's stay was complete, she was healthy and ready to return home.
• The family appreciated the care that was provided for their mother.
• The staff and environment were awesome - kind, courteous, and very knowledgeable.

Cons

• The care was described as extremely poor.
• There was incompetent staffing and verbal abuse.
• Aides and nurses were lazy.
• The facility was dirty and poorly maintained.
• Residents had to wait long periods for assistance.
• A procedure was performed incorrectly and there were delays in specialist involvement.
• Discharge procedures were mishandled and questions about discharge were discouraged.
• Security personnel insulted residents.
• Nurses left medications unattended and call lights went unanswered.
• Administration allowed staff to mistreat residents and did not address concerns.
• Residents were left sitting for hours and ignored.
• The floor manager spoke to residents rudely.
• There was no heat and bathrooms/floors were not kept clean.
• Food quality was poor and meals did not stay warm.
• Dementia patients received no activities that could benefit them.

Review

The collection of experiences shared about this care facility presents a troubling portrait of how some residents and their families perceive the quality and safety of care. Across multiple accounts, the threads are consistent: concerns about medical decision-making, delayed and disjointed communications, and questions about the professionalism and conduct of staff. Several reviewers describe situations they view as medically questionable - such as using a high-dose statin for a patient whose lipid levels were reported as normal - and a troubling sequence around a tubing procedure that allegedly occurred without timely oversight from qualified personnel. The sense that medical decisions were not adequately explained or justified appears repeatedly, leaving families feeling unsettled and distrustful.

Staffing and clinical competence emerge as central themes in the complaints. One account questions the rationale for continuing a 40 mg statin when the patient's LDL was reportedly normal, labeling the rationale as inadequate. Other reviewers recount a range of systemic issues, from alleged delays in securing a surgeon or radiology support for a straightforward procedure to an extended hospital stay with the impression that discharge should have occurred much sooner. The sense of inconsistency in who is responsible for patient care - nurses, aides, therapists, and physicians - contributes to a broader perception that staff may be stretched too thin or not aligned, resulting in gaps in care and communication.

Access to loved ones and patient rights are described as hostile or limited in several accounts. One reviewer, serving as power of attorney, reports being asked why their friend is on a statin and receiving an unsatisfying, "it's not going to hurt him" justification. More concerning is the claim that the reviewer's friend was placed in a position where family access during a vulnerable time in the night was restricted, with a frustration expressed about being the last person with him and questions about visitation and visibility. A separate incident involved a security guard who allegedly made demeaning remarks, with a complaint filed and no follow-up. When concerns were raised about discharge communication - specifically a nurse asking to text questions about discharge instead of coming down to discuss paperwork - the reaction described was one of urgency and dissatisfaction rather than resolution.

The atmosphere of professionalism - or lack thereof - gets a great deal of attention. Reviewers describe "incompetent staffing," lazy aides, rude administrators, and downright unprofessional interactions with residents. There are repeated references to staff discussing residents in a disrespectful manner, not answering call lights promptly, and leaving medications unattended. The sense of a working environment where accountability is unclear, and where some staff may lack the training or supervision needed to ensure basic standards of care, echoes throughout several accounts. This is compounded by reports of poor meal service, with food not staying warm and bitter comments about overall quality and attentiveness in dining areas.

Facility conditions and the quality of daily life for residents also feature prominently. Several reviewers share experiences of a dirty environment, unclean bathrooms, unattended cleaning, and insufficient housekeeping. Heating problems, cold air affecting food temperature, and general neglect of cleanliness contribute to a perception of a facility that does not consistently meet basic comfort and safety standards. The cadence of care, including delays in assistance and long wait times for routine needs, adds to the sense of frustration and concern about the overall standard of living for residents.

Amidst the negative feedback, there are a couple of positive notes that stand out. One review speaks highly of a team of professionals who cared for the reviewer's mother during rehab, noting attentive and professional handling of concerns and appropriate dietary accommodations. Another account praises staff, environment, and kindness, suggesting that there are moments of excellent care and supportive interaction within the same facility. These positive experiences appear to be the exception rather than the rule in the majority of the accounts, but they are cited as meaningful and reassuring for the families who encountered them.

Finally, the broader impact on families and future decisions is clear. Several reviewers express intentions to pursue legal action or to bring concerns to authorities, driven by a combination of medical doubt, fear for loved ones' safety, and dissatisfaction with communication and responsiveness. The sentiment conveyed is that the facility needs substantial improvements in staffing, training, accountability, and patient-centered care. While a few accounts acknowledge positive experiences, the overarching narrative centers on unsafe or unsatisfactory experiences that left families feeling unheard and residents receiving inconsistent levels of care.

Taken together, these accounts tell a complex story of a facility where care quality appears highly variable. On one end of the spectrum, occasionally exemplary professional conduct and responsive, attentive care are described, with families feeling grateful for competent teams and clear communication. On the other end, repeated themes of inadequate staffing, poor housekeeping, questionable medical decisions, delayed discharges, and disrespectful behavior create a picture of systemic problems that undermine trust and safety. The mix of experiences suggests that interventions aimed at standardizing care, improving communication, enforcing professional conduct, and ensuring adherence to safety and hygiene practices would be essential to address the concerns raised by multiple residents and their families.

This area of Buffalo, New York, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down. With several hospitals and physicians in close proximity, quality healthcare services are easily accessible. There are also numerous pharmacies nearby for medication needs. Additionally, there is a variety of dining options, from casual eateries like Jack Rabbit to upscale establishments like Sinatra's Restaurant. For those who enjoy nature, parks such as Delaware Park Marcy Casino provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. The presence of cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread offer relaxing spots for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this area provides a mix of healthcare facilities, dining options, and recreational opportunities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking to reside in a vibrant community in Buffalo.

Hospitals

• Erie County Medical Center (0.9 miles)
• John R Oishei Children's Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• 50 Gate Circle (1.1 miles)
• Ross Eye Institute (1.9 miles)
• Primary Care Of WNY Primary Care Of Western New York Kenmore (2.4 miles)
• Jericho Road Community Health Center (2.5 miles)
• Urban Family Practice (3 miles)
• The Evergreen Exchange (3 miles)
• Kenmore Family Medicine (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.2 miles)
• Top's Markets (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Jack Rabbit (1.5 miles)
• The Foundry Lounge (1.9 miles)
• Anchor Bar (2.1 miles)
• Sinatra's Restaurant (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Betty's Restaurant (2.7 miles)
• Club Marcella (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Wegmans Food Markets (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.4 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church & Diocesan Shrine (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Delaware Park Marcy Casino (3.4 miles)
• Wilkeson Pointe (4.3 miles)
• South Long Park (5.2 miles)
• Island Park (5.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (4.4 miles)
• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (5 miles)