Oneonta Nursing Home in Oneonta, NY

Pros

• The staff at Chestnut Park are friendly and take good care of residents.
• The team is professional, experienced, and a joy to work with.
• The caregivers go above and beyond, even under understaffing.
• The physical therapy and occupational therapy are excellent and help patients regain mobility quickly.
• The nursing staff are wonderful and ensure medications are given correctly and on time.
• Administration, including Cassie and Bridget, are helpful and supportive with insurance needs.
• The kitchen staff deliver good food with appealing alternatives.

Cons

• The service at Chestnut Park was horrible; calls could go unanswered for days and staff acted as if they knew nothing.
• The night shift nursing supervisor is absolutely horrible and very rude.
• The facility should be shut down.
• The center is horribly unorganized and probably the worst nursing home in upstate NY.
• The kitchen is a joke and filthy.
• The facility is severely understaffed, causing patients to wait too long for help.
• They steal patients' clothes.

Review

Best suited for short-term rehab goals where the priority is rapid, facility-based therapy and a visibly compassionate therapy team. When therapy is the primary objective, this community can deliver meaningful progress thanks to dedicated physical and occupational therapists, attentive aides, and a kitchen and activity staff that contribute to a livelier, engaged environment. Families that can stay closely involved and insist on clear rehab plans will often see solid gains for returning home. However, this is not a place to assume consistent, around-the-clock quality in every shift; the experience hinges on staffing levels that can swing from excellent to perilously uneven.

Those considering alternatives should note that reliability in safety, medication management, and daily responsiveness remains a key concern here. For residents who require steady, 24/7 supervision, consistent call-bell response, or meticulous attention to falls prevention and hygiene, other facilities may offer more predictable outcomes. The most serious red flags cited by multiple families, unanswered call bells, delayed assistance, and instances of neglect, are enough to push families toward other options, especially for long-term care residents or individuals with complex medical needs.

On the plus side, when staffing aligns and communication stays open, the therapy-focused core shines. Reviews frequently praise the rehab team for getting residents back on their feet quickly, with several accounts of meaningful mobility gains and well-coordinated discharge planning. Administration and social services are repeatedly mentioned as responsive, offering help with insurance and discharge logistics. A number of residents and families applaud the culinary team and activity staff, noting engaging programs and quality meals as meaningful supports to overall well-being. These strengths demonstrate that the facility can perform at a high level under the right conditions.

Yet the strongest counterweight remains the pattern of understaffing and inconsistent care that permeates many accounts. Reports of rude or overwhelmed supervisors, hours-long waits for assistance, and personal equipment not being properly managed create real safety and dignity concerns. The most alarming anecdotes involve medication handling and infection risk, with claims of pills left in hallways, gaps in monitoring, and even serious outbreaks. Some families describe a troubling culture where neglect slips through the cracks during busy shifts, or where discharge practices feel financially rather than medically motivated. Such reports cannot be dismissed.

There are clear signs of gradual improvement under new ownership in portions of the facility, and several families report decisive, positive experiences tied to particular staff members and departments. Where administration is proactive, and where therapy, nursing, and housekeeping communicate well, residents do well and families feel reassured. For families evaluating this community, the prudent path is to confirm that current staffing levels are sufficient, that call bells and safety devices are functioning, and that a concrete, time-bound rehab plan is in place with regular progress updates. If those assurances are not forthcoming, or if recent incidents persist, pursuing alternatives is the wiser course.

In the end, the decision hinges on risk tolerance and rehab expectations. If the priority is a robust, results-driven rehab trajectory and family advocacy can be sustained to monitor care, this community can deliver meaningful benefits. If reliability, safety, and consistent staff responsiveness are non-negotiable, potential buyers should widen the search and request detailed, up-to-date metrics on staffing ratios, incident reports, and medication administration practices before committing. The choice should favor transparency, tangible progress indicators, and a clear plan that protects dignity and safety above all.

This part of Oneonta, New York offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. The area features a range of dining options such as Iron Chef Buffet, Sloan's New York Grill, and Nick's Diner and Pizzeria, providing diverse choices for meals. There are several pharmacies in close proximity including Rite Aid and Walgreens for easy access to medications and health supplies. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable facilities like Bassett Healthcare Network–Oneonta Specialty Services and UHS Pediatrics nearby. Additionally, there are cafes like Table Rocks and Yellow Deli where seniors can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with friends. Places of worship such as Temple Beth El and Community Gospel Church offer spiritual support within the community. For recreation, parks like Fortin Park and Gilbert Lake State Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors considering senior living in Oneonta.

Restaurants

• Iron Chef Buffet (0 miles)
• Sloan's New York Grill (0.1 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Dante's (0.4 miles)
• Nick's Diner and Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• Pizza Land (0.7 miles)
• Toscana Northern Italian Grill (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Pharmassist (16 miles)
• Service Pharmacy (17.2 miles)
• Church & Scott (17.9 miles)

Transportation

• Alamo (0.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (16.4 miles)
• Blue Trolley Parking Lot (17.8 miles)

Physicians

• Bassett Healthcare Network–Oneonta Specialty Services (0.6 miles)
• UHS Pediatrics (0.7 miles)
• Emerson Testing (0.7 miles)
• New York Skin and Vein Center (0.8 miles)
• Bassett Health Center Oneonta Internal Medicine and Pediatrics (1.1 miles)
• New York Skin & Vein Centers (1.2 miles)
• Planned Parenthood (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Table Rocks (0.8 miles)
• Yellow Deli (1.1 miles)
• Capresso Coffee Bar (1.2 miles)
• Peet's Coffee and Tea (1.5 miles)
• Argo Tea (1.6 miles)
• B Brewed Agro Grill (14.5 miles)
• Origins Cafe (17.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Temple Beth El (1 miles)
• Community Gospel Church (1.1 miles)
• Christian Science Reading Room & Church (1.1 miles)
• Unitarian Church (1.3 miles)
• Big House (1.4 miles)
• Oneonta Church (1.4 miles)
• Holy Cross Rectory (10.5 miles)

Hospitals

• A.O. Fox Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Lincare (1.9 miles)
• Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital (18.6 miles)
• Bassett Railroad Ave (18.7 miles)

Parks

• Fortin Park (3.7 miles)
• Gilbert Lake State Park (8.5 miles)
• Texas Parks & Wildlif (18.7 miles)