Ontario Center in Canandaigua, NY

Pros

• Ontario Center is described as a quiet, professional facility that diligently meets medical needs.
• The facility is well maintained with caring and knowledgeable staff.
• The warmth of the facility feels family-like, with staff devoted to both patients and families.
• The staff are amazing and highly recommended for loved ones.
• The facility offers great accommodations and an excellent environment.
• The rehab program at Ontario Center is top-notch.
• The activity department is fantastic and brightens residents' days.
• The staff communicate well with families and keep them informed.
• The care team provides compassionate and dedicated support during difficult times.

Cons

• The nursing home is described as the worst ever, with patients treated like dirt.
• Wound care is severely lacking; surgical sites were not cleaned properly or kept dry.
• Residents were left in soiled conditions, with urine and stool present, and were not changed promptly.
• Staff are slow, unresponsive, and often on cell phones, neglecting basic needs.
• The facility is filthy and understaffed, with a persistent urine smell and dirty floors.
• There are reports of elder abuse and rough handling causing bruises and injuries.
• Communication with families is poor; concerns go unanswered and updates are infrequent.
• Understaffing leads to inadequate care, missed checks, and unmonitored falls.
• Families strongly advise against sending loved ones there and urge others not to choose the facility.
• There are safety concerns like missing bed rails, dirty bedding, and residents falling.

Review

Ontario Center in Canandaigua is best suited for families seeking short- to mid-term rehab with a strong therapy focus, and for residents who can benefit from structured activity and hands-on rehabilitation where family involvement is feasible. The center catalogs its rehab program as a core strength, and several reviews highlight therapists and practical improvement in mobility and daily function. The setting may appeal to those who prize a professional, hospital-adjacent feel and who want access to rehabilitation faster than they might find elsewhere. Prospective families must accept that the overall daily care, especially on non-therapy days, can be uneven, and that bedside attention will depend heavily on staffing levels and shift coverage.

Those with significant cognitive impairment, advanced dementia, or bedridden status who require constant, reliable assistance with basic needs may want to consider alternatives. A number of reviews describe neglect, delays in response, and instances of residents not being bathed, fed, or changed promptly. Cleanliness and safety concerns appear repeatedly, along with turnover in nursing leadership. For families with limited ability to visit regularly, the risk of inconsistent communication and delayed escalation may outweigh the rehab benefits. In short, this facility may not be the best fit for long-term, high-acuity care where 24/7 oversight and predictable, consistent care are non-negotiable.

On the positive side, the rehab department earns consistent praise from some families, with physical therapy and other therapists delivering tangible gains and skilled staff coordinating care plans. A number of residents and relatives report a welcoming, even family-like atmosphere when the floor is staffed and engaged, and some reviewers applaud the activity program and the overall effort to keep residents socially connected. The facility also emphasizes technology-assisted care in its narrative, and several accounts describe staff who communicate with families, often via updates or virtual visits, which can be a meaningful reassurance amid difficult transitions.

Yet the cons dominate in many accounts. Chronic understaffing, high turnover, and uneven access to qualified nursing personnel surface in numerous reviews, translating into slow responses to calls, missed or delayed assistance with baths and toileting, and a smell of urine in some areas. Residents have been reported as left in soiled conditions or without bed rails or alarms, with falls and injuries documented by families. Communication gaps - missed calls, delayed updates, and perceptions of "CYA" explanations - compound the frustration for families trying to stay connected. Several reviewers question the leadership and accountability at the nursing level, and a few comparisons to other facilities note that rehab is the only bright spot amid otherwise inconsistent care.

Practical steps help families navigate the realities of Ontario Center. Before placement, request a detailed tour focused on cleanliness, supply availability, and safety protocols (rails, alarms, call bells). Interview the director of nursing or charge supervisor about staffing patterns, night coverage, and how quickly urgent needs are escalated. Ask for a fixed primary nurse or aide who can be reached consistently, and request information on recent incident or complaint resolution. Inquire about daily meal quality, housekeeping responsiveness, and how therapy schedules are integrated with meals and rest. Lastly, verify recent state inspections or survey results to gauge whether the home has addressed the most common concerns.

Bottom line: Ontario Center can deliver meaningful rehab outcomes and occasional warmth from committed staff, but the lived experience is deeply variable. For families where rehab and flexibility are critical, and where ongoing oversight is possible and frequent, the center can be a workable option. For high-acuity needs, chronic care, or families unable to maintain close oversight, alternatives with stronger staffing consistency and documented cleanliness may be safer bets. A candid, in-person visit, aggressive questions, and a careful review of the latest facility data are essential to make an informed choice.

This part of Canandaigua, New York, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several restaurants nearby, such as Applebee's, Pepper Deli & Pasta, and Laguna Grande, residents can enjoy dining out with friends and family. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Wegmans and Rite Aid in close proximity for convenient access to medication and healthcare supplies. The area also boasts beautiful parks like Kershaw Park and Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, providing opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. For medical care, there are reputable hospitals such as F F Thompson Hospital and Canandaigua VA Medical Center nearby. Places of worship like the First Baptist Church offer spiritual support and community engagement for seniors seeking a sense of belonging. Overall, this part of Canandaigua presents a well-rounded environment for senior living with a mix of conveniences, recreational options, and healthcare facilities.

Restaurants

• Applebee's (1.6 miles)
• Charlie Riedel's Fast Food (1.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.9 miles)
• Peppers Deli & Pasta (2.1 miles)
• Laguna Grande (2.1 miles)
• Three Huskies Brewing (2.2 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.2 miles)

Theaters

• Canandaigua Theatres (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wegmans (2.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (3.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.2 miles)
• Top's Markets (4.4 miles)
• Red Jacket Pharmacy (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.2 miles)
• Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters (9.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (10.9 miles)

Parks

• Kershaw Park (2.8 miles)
• Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park (3.1 miles)
• Farmbrook Park (7.9 miles)
• Onanda Park (8.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Jefferson Memorial Park In Canandaigua (3 miles)
• Canandaigua VA Medical Center (3.1 miles)
• F F Thompson Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Thompson Hospital Emergency Department (3.9 miles)
• Constellation Center for Health (4 miles)
• Canandaigua Surgical Care (4.1 miles)
• Strong Memorial Hosp-Pulmonary (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Canandaigua Orthopaedic Associates PC (3.2 miles)
• Lakeside Ent (3.8 miles)
• Canandaigua Orthopaedic Associates, PC (3.8 miles)
• Naples Valley Family Practice (3.8 miles)
• Canandaigua Medical Group PC (3.9 miles)
• Sands Cancer Center (4 miles)
• Finger Lakes Cardiology Associates (4 miles)

Transportation

• Canandaigua Airport (IUA) (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church (6.7 miles)
• New Hope Bible Church (9.5 miles)
• The Sacred Grove (10.8 miles)