Van Allen Nursing Home

Pros

• Alpine has a very at-home environment with friendly staff.
• Alpine is unique in many ways and has the highest quality of care for its patients and residents.
• Both rehab and nursing staff work hard to ensure that patients are safe and treated properly.
• Lesha Dolan is a great therapist who is well liked by staff, residents, and families.
• Alpine is an excellent rehabilitation and nursing center; all who are employed there are kind and friendly.
• The admission process at Alpine is easy and welcoming.
• Donna the Finance Coordinator is extremely helpful to families, guiding them through insurance coverage and Medicaid.
• Casey Bayes goes above and beyond to ensure that patients get what they need.
• The staff at Alpine are amazing; everyone is pleasant, professional, and helpful.
• Alpine has become a hidden gem and is a place where residents are loved and well cared for.
• The therapy department has great therapists who are knowledgeable and attentive.
• Staci Geiger, RN, is wonderful with the residents and her staff.

Cons

• The facility is dirty; floors, walls, and nearly everything are dirty and covered in waste.
• The building smells, and the equipment is old, dirty, and often broken.
• The food is horrible and lacks nutritional value.
• The building is on constant lockdown with exits unmanned, making it hard to leave.
• A resident reported not receiving any care for a week and described the nurses as rude.
• A reviewer alleged neglect and warned others not to send a loved one there.
• The facility needs more staff and better amenities, including food, showers, TVs, phones, and cable.
• A reviewer recounted a sister's death after being a patient there, implying neglect.

Review

Alpine emerges in these reflections as a highly-at-home, family-oriented facility where the atmosphere is warm and the staff are consistently described as friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Reviewers repeatedly emphasize that the environment feels welcoming and that the overall quality of care is strong, especially in the rehab and nursing components. Several accounts speak to Alpine offering a rare combination of compassionate bedside care and a level of clinical expertise that makes families feel confident in the treatment their loved ones receive. In many messages, Alpine is portrayed as a standout option in its community for high-quality care and thoughtful, patient-centered service.

A large portion of the praise centers on individual staff members and the departments they serve. The reception staff, particularly Kaylee Lynch, is highlighted as helpful and approachable, providing a reassuring first impression for families. In the therapy arena, Lesha Dolan is singled out as an excellent and well-liked therapist who earns the respect of staff, residents, and families alike. Nursing and rehab teams are repeatedly described as caring and attentive, with Staci Geiger, RN, and Allison Mitchell receiving specific commendations for their dedication to resident well-being. The care teams are often credited with going the extra mile, while administrators and support staff - such as Michelle Richards (administrator) and Donna Demars (finance/administration) along with Casey Bayes - are recognized for their willingness to address concerns and support families through insurance, Medicaid, and day-to-day questions. Crystal, the social worker, is noted for her compassionate, proactive approach in meeting residents' needs and helping families navigate the care process.

Family experiences with Alpine often center on how easy the admissions process felt and how quickly the staff formed a trusting relationship with residents and their loved ones. One reviewer describes it as a welcoming experience from the very first meeting, transforming what could be a fearful transition for a relative into a reassuring, almost homelike adjustment. The care received is frequently described as exceptional, with families reporting prompt updates about changes in condition and consistent communication. Several stories recount mothers and grandmothers thriving under Alpine's care, with comments about the comfort of meals, the feeling that Alpine has become a second home, and the sense that staff treat residents as members of an extended family. The sentiment of gratitude runs strong in these notes, along with assurances that Alpine's staff are dedicated to safety and personalized attention.

Administrative and financial support is a recurring thread in the positive comments. Families appreciated the guidance provided by Donna Demars regarding insurance and Medicaid matters, noting that she assists every step of the way. The administrator and financial teams are seen as approachable, responsive, and capable of helping families navigate complex healthcare logistics. When praise turns to specific praise for Casey - whether for going above and beyond to address patient needs or for the warmth and compassion she brings - the impression is of a facility that values accessible leadership and staff who work collaboratively to ensure smooth, family-friendly processes. The overall message is that Alpine is not just medically competent, but also organized in a way that reduces stress for residents and families during the care journey.

Beyond individual accolades, several reviewers commend the broader culture at Alpine. The facility is described as welcoming and cohesive, with leadership that provides clear guidance and a frontline staff that genuinely cares for residents. The rehab program is consistently portrayed as strong, with therapists who are knowledgeable, attentive, and highly regarded by residents and their families. The sense of community and mutual support among staff and residents is a notable highlight, contributing to a positive atmosphere where people feel seen and valued. In such narratives, Alpine stands out as a place where people not only receive care but also feel part of a supportive, family-like environment during a challenging time.

Not all voices align with the glowing consensus, however. A portion of the reviews raises concerns about cleanliness, facility upkeep, and overall conditions. One reader describes Alpine as dirty in both literal and metaphorical senses - citing odors, old or dirty furniture and equipment, and a building that feels run-down. Food quality is another point of contention in these remarks, with criticisms that meals can be unappetizing or lacking in nutritional value. There are pointed observations about staff being overworked, which some reviewers imply leads to limited time for each resident and to frustration or hurried interactions. Some accounts mention security and safety issues, such as exits not being manned adequately during certain lockdown periods. In several strong statements, family members describe experiences of neglect or inadequate attention in their loved ones' cases, including claims of delayed care and dissatisfaction with how concerns were addressed. These perspectives serve as reminders that, for some families, the realities of staffing pressures and facility conditions significantly color their impression of Alpine.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents Alpine as a facility with many enduring strengths: a home-like, family-centered environment; a workforce of compassionate, capable professionals; a robust rehab and nursing program; and accessible, supportive administration. The overwhelmingly positive experiences - especially the warmth of direct care, the quality of therapeutic services, and the willingness of staff to go above and beyond for residents and their families - stand out as clear strengths. At the same time, the more critical voices call for attention to cleanliness, maintenance, nutrition, staffing levels, and consistent responsiveness to concerns. For families weighing Alpine, these insights suggest a facility that excels in human-centered care and professional expertise, while also highlighting the importance of visiting in person, asking detailed questions, and observing day-to-day operations to ensure alignment with each family member's expectations and needs.

Hospitals

• Little Falls Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Faxton-St Luke's Healthcare (6.9 miles)
• Masonic Care Health Facility (17.2 miles)

Physicians

• Prabhat Ahluwalia MD (0.8 miles)
• Dr. Donald Knapp (6.7 miles)
• Herkimer Eyecare Center (6.7 miles)
• Bassett Healthcare Network–Herkimer (6.7 miles)
• Herkimer Family Nurse Practitioners (6.8 miles)
• Melo Larry J DDS (7.2 miles)
• Cooperative Magnetic Imaging (9.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (0.8 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (5.3 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (6.8 miles)
• Wlagreens (9.8 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (14.4 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (15.5 miles)

Restaurants

• The Sandwich Chef (0.8 miles)
• Enea's Italian Feast (1 miles)
• Casey's Restaurant & Lounge (1 miles)
• Ann St Restaurant & Deli (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Ironrock Brewing Co Little Falls (1.1 miles)
• Pizza Boys (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• That Little Place On Main (0.9 miles)
• The Java Shop by Cucina Berto (7.1 miles)
• Highwheeler Coffee (14.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Baptist Church (5.2 miles)
• Trinity Lutheran Church (7.4 miles)
• Holy Trinity Monastery (9.7 miles)
• Russian Orthodox Church (10.1 miles)
• Jordanville Federated Church (10.7 miles)
• Freysbush Methodist Church (13.6 miles)
• Valley Alliance Church (15.4 miles)

Parks

• Recreation Department (5.3 miles)
• Burt's Turd Cutter (6.7 miles)
• Arc Park (6.9 miles)
• Wiles Park (13.6 miles)
• Deerfield Wilderness Park (16.9 miles)
• Riverfront Park Canajoharie (17.4 miles)
• F.T. Proctor Park (17.7 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (13.7 miles)
• Frankfort-Highland Airport (6B4) (16 miles)

Theaters

• El Rancho Drive In (16.1 miles)