Eden Parkhealth Ctr

Pros

• The Pines staff are courteous and helpful.
• Hanna, the social worker, tirelessly helped secure a new place to live and never gave up.
• Reece, the 4th floor unit manager, is knowledgeable and caring toward residents.
• The facility is clean, well-kept, and has a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere.
• The staff go above and beyond to meet medical needs and ensure residents feel seen and cared for as individuals.
• The nurses and aides are praised for their professionalism and compassionate care.
• The Pines provide high-quality, compassionate care that exceeds expectations.
• The reception staff are kind, friendly, and informative.
• The environment is homely, bright, and well-maintained, helping residents feel comfortable and at ease.
• Families appreciate being able to visit and stay with loved ones anytime, day or night.
• The staff's care includes visits from Winnie, the therapy dog, and heartfelt celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.

Cons

• The food was not great.
• The place is awful.
• They had to wait two hours to get assistance, which was terrible.
• There was a strong urine odor on the second floor.
• The food could use some work.

Review

The Pines at Utica consistently emerges in these impressions as a place where courtesy, compassion, and practical care come together to support residents and their families. Across many visits and conversations, people describe a welcoming atmosphere and a staff that is readily available, patient, and attentive to both medical needs and everyday concerns. The overarching sentiment is that the team treats each resident with dignity and respect, taking concerns seriously and working with a sense of purpose to improve lives day by day.

Two staff members are singled out repeatedly for their exceptional dedication. Hanna, a social worker, is repeatedly praised for her perseverance and willingness to go the extra mile to help a resident secure stable housing. In one account, she "never gave up" on getting a new place for a friend, highlighting the social work team's capacity to navigate complex needs beyond traditional medical care. Reece, identified as the 4th floor unit manager, is commended for both knowledge and genuine care toward residents and their neighbors, underscoring the consistency of supportive leadership across floors. Beyond these two, the care team - nurses, aides, and other support staff - receives frequent commendations for going above and beyond, listening attentively, and treating residents as individuals with unique histories and preferences.

The environment itself is described as clean, well-kept, and comfortable, with a sense of peacefulness that helps put visitors and residents at ease. Even when the facility carries its age as an older building, many reviewers emphasize that upkeep and cleanliness are evident, creating a homelike ambiance rather than a clinical or sterile feel. The staff are seen as not only meeting medical needs but also ensuring social and emotional well-being, helping residents stay engaged through activities like bingo and crafts, and fostering a community where families feel involved and welcome. One memorable note references Winnie, the therapy dog, whose visits were a meaningful addition to the daily care and family experience.

Family members frequently recount the trust they place in the Pines' care, particularly in challenging times. In a detailed account of palliative care, the staff is described as a cohesive team that collaborated with Hospice, maintaining an open line of communication, and staying present with the family through difficult moments. What stood out was the way the entire staff - maintenance, nurses, certified nursing assistants, supervisors, kitchen staff, social workers, the nurse practitioner, managers, and administrators - made themselves available, providing not only professional care but emotional support, warmth, and reassurance. Such experiences culminated in tangible celebrations of life and love, including visits, balloons, cakes for birthdays, and flowers, underscoring the sense that the Pines is a place where families feel they are part of a larger, caring community.

Visits from loved ones are described as consistently positive and meaningful. Families recount being greeted with kindness by receptionists and staff, and seeing the same level of professionalism from check-in through daily care. The daily routine - PT sessions, meal times, and assistance with transfers - often unfolds with the same attentive and respectful approach. For those who bring meals or coordinate visits, staff members are described as accommodating and polite, ensuring that special needs are respected and that time with the resident remains a priority rather than a disruption.

Of course, no collection of experiences would be complete without acknowledging a few cautions raised by a minority of reviewers. One visitor described a stark contrast to the otherwise glowing impressions: waiting two hours for assistance while being bedbound, a situation that felt unacceptable and highlighted the importance of timely responsiveness in urgent moments. Another comment mentioned a strong urine odor on the second floor at a particular moment, reminding readers that cleanliness and odor control are ongoing, real-world challenges in any long-term care setting. Additionally, some reviewers felt the food did not meet expectations, noting it could be improved, even as others praised the overall care and warmth surrounding meals and dining. Taken together, these points suggest that while the Pines excels in most areas of care and community, there remains room for ongoing improvements in responsiveness, dining quality, and odor management - areas worth prioritizing to ensure every resident's experience remains consistently excellent.

Overall, the experiences shared paint a picture of The Pines at Utica as a place where compassionate staff, strong leadership, and a resilient sense of community help residents thrive. Families speak with gratitude about the dignity, respect, and emotional support their loved ones receive, and they appreciate the staff's willingness to listen, collaborate, and celebrate life together. For many, the Pines represents not just a facility, but a living environment where professional medical care, personal attention, and a genuine commitment to human connection come together in a way that feels both reassuring and hopeful. The balance of heartfelt praise, practical care, and constructive critique points to a facility that is deeply valued by those who rely on it, with clear evidence of ongoing dedication to improvement and to keeping residents at the center of everything they do.

This area of Utica, New York, offers a convenient and bustling environment for senior living. With a variety of dining options including Arby's, McDonald's, and local taverns like Dick Smith's Tavern, seniors will have plenty of choices for meals out with friends and family. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and Rite Aid for easy access to medications and health supplies. For those looking to enjoy a cup of coffee or pastry, cafes like Bagel Grove and Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar are within close proximity. Medical care is easily accessible with physicians' offices like Slocum-Dickson Medical Group and hospitals such as St Elizabeth Medical Center located just minutes away. Overall, this area provides a lively community with various amenities that cater to the needs of seniors seeking a comfortable and active lifestyle in Utica.

Restaurants

• Arby's (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Dick Smith's Tavern (0.8 miles)
• Celtic Harp (1.3 miles)
• Nostro Restobar and Lounge (1.3 miles)
• Nail Creek Pub & Brewery (1.3 miles)
• Swifty's Restaurant & Pub (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Utica Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Randall's Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Bagel Grove (0.2 miles)
• Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar (1.3 miles)
• Utica Coffee Roasting (1.8 miles)
• Daylight Donuts (1.8 miles)
• Bagg's Square Cafe (2 miles)
• Debbie's Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Raspberries Cafe (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Adirondack Community Physicians: Neuro Sciences Group (0.3 miles)
• Kenneth Ortega (0.3 miles)
• Faxton-st. Luke's Healthcare Foundation (0.3 miles)
• Slocum-Dickson Medical Group (0.6 miles)
• Eye Associates of Utica PC (0.6 miles)
• Marian Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (0.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Faxton X-ray Department (0.3 miles)
• FAXTON-St LUKE'S HEALTHCARE - FAXTON CAMPUS (0.3 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (0.4 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (0.9 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (1.2 miles)
• Faxton St Luke's Healthcare: St Luke's Campus (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Our Lady Of Lourdes Ch (0.7 miles)
• Kingdom Ministries Place of Worship/House of Prayer (1.8 miles)
• St John The Evangelist (2 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (2 miles)