Kobacker House in Columbus, OH

Pros

• The staff at Kobacker House are incredibly compassionate and treat families like their own.
• The facility feels warm, home-like, and peaceful rather than cold and clinical.
• The doctors and nurses communicate clearly, respectfully, and with thoroughness.
• The care is dignified, pain-free, and focused on comfort and peaceful transitions.
• The grounds and gardens are beautiful and calming for patients and visitors.
• The kitchen and other amenities provide practical comforts that ease daily needs for families.
• The staff and volunteers consistently go above and beyond to support the family.
• The team is described as angels, blessing families during very difficult times.
• The private rooms and patios offer space for family presence, privacy, and reflection.
• Kobacker House creates a sense of family and belonging, comforting loved ones as they navigate loss.

Cons

• Kobacker House killed my father.
• They disrespected him because he was the grandmother's power of attorney.
• The night nurse and aide showed minimal compassion and moved him roughly.
• The reviewer would not recommend this facility to their worst enemy.
• The doctors allegedly wrote an incorrect cause of death and refused to correct it.
• The staff reportedly ignored the patient's call light and did not monitor his condition adequately.
• The Customer Experiences team can't help patients solve problems.

Review

Kobacker House is best suited for families seeking a hospice-focused, end-of-life transition that emphasizes comfort, dignity, and a home-like, serene environment. This community shines for those who want a highly attentive, multidisciplinary team - nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers - working in concert to support both the patient and the family. It is especially well-suited for loved ones who value intimate spaces, private patios, peaceful grounds, and a setting that feels less clinical and more like a supported home. For families prioritizing constant medical intensity, or those who require rapid, highly clinical interventions on a 24/7 basis, alternatives may be a better match. Also consider options if there is persistent concern about administrative processes, such as coordinating powers of attorney, death documentation, or bed availability.

The strongest positives rest on the staff's extraordinary compassion and the depth of interpersonal care. Families consistently note that patients are treated with dignity, kindness, and individualized attention, with doctors, nurses, and support staff communicating clearly and respectfully about what to expect. The facility's design reinforces the care ethos: rooms with French doors opening to outdoor spaces, landscaped grounds, and a tranquil environment that lowers distress. The full hospitality support - overnight accommodations for families, a kitchen that reduces food burdens, and a chapel and quiet areas - gives people space to grieve, reflect, and stay present. The breadth of the team, including chaplains and social workers, helps families process transitions while staying connected to their loved one.

Yet the reviews show notable inconsistencies that potential arrivals should weigh carefully. While the vast majority celebrate the staff's dedication, there are reported lapses, particularly around overnight care and responsiveness. A few families allege rough handling, delayed calls, or perceived detachment during critical moments, highlighting that night shifts may not always mirror the day-to-day warmth. There are also darker outliers involving alleged disrespect around a power-of-attorney situation, and one account of procedural missteps surrounding death, transfer logistics, and post-mortem handling. Bed availability and scheduling gaps have also surfaced, signaling that access can be uneven in peak times. These matters matter because they touch the patient's comfort and the family's peace of mind.

Despite these concerns, the key advantages generally offset the downsides because they address the core needs in hospice care: comfort, communication, and emotional support. The staff's capacity to make patients feel valued, combined with a tranquil physical environment, often translates into a meaningful, dignified end-of-life experience. The holistic approach - medical teams that explain treatments, social workers who coordinate family logistics, and spiritual caregivers who offer comfort - creates a framework where most families can remain present and at ease. In practice, the setting and the level of personal attention frequently transform what could be a traumatic time into a managed, compassionate passage for both patient and loved ones.

For families evaluating next steps, concrete actions help align expectations with what Kobacker House delivers. Visit and observe how the team interfaces with patients and families, and ask about who will be attending shifts and how communications are handled during nights and weekends. Clarify bed availability timelines and identify a primary point of contact, especially if a Power of Attorney or family decisions are involved. Request reassurance about the handling of sensitive administrative tasks and express concerns early if there are specific needs or cultural considerations. If possible, discuss a care plan that assigns consistent caregivers and ensures timely updates so the experience remains cohesive across transitions.

In sum, Kobacker House stands out in Columbus as a hospice environment where tenderness, dignity, and family-centered care are the default, not the exception. It is an excellent choice for families seeking a peaceful, beautiful setting with a robust, compassionate team focused on easing the dying process and supporting those left behind. This community may be less suitable for families requiring high-acuity, around-the-clock medical interventions or who cannot tolerate occasional inconsistencies in nighttime service. For those cases, exploring other hospices or inpatient facilities with different staffing rhythms or procedural rigor may yield a better fit. When weighed against the strong experiential positives - consistent praise for kindness, clarity, and the tranquil environment - Kobacker House remains a leading option for a thoughtful, dignified farewell.

This part of Columbus, Ohio, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With various medical facilities such as Mid Oh Cardiology & Vascular, OhioHealth Riverside Family Practice, and Central Ohio Primary Care nearby, seniors can easily access quality healthcare services. The proximity to Ohio Health and OSU Harding Hospital ensures quick access to specialized medical care when needed. Additionally, there are several pharmacies like Kroger Pharmacy and Walgreens for medication needs. For recreation and leisure, there are beautiful parks like Whetstone Park and Antrim Park where seniors can enjoy nature walks and outdoor activities. Various dining options ranging from casual to more upscale restaurants are available, including Tensuke Market and Brassica. Places of worship such as St Andrew Church and Holy Name Church cater to spiritual needs, while cafes like Crimson Cup provide a cozy environment for socializing with friends or family. Overall, this part of Columbus offers a well-rounded community for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Physicians

• Mid Oh Cardiology & Vascular (0.3 miles)
• OhioHealth Riverside Family Practice (0.4 miles)
• Columbus Eyecare Associates (1.5 miles)
• Jasonway Internal Medicine (1.5 miles)
• Central Ohio Primary Care (1.6 miles)
• Ohio ENT Surgeons (1.9 miles)
• Forefront Dermatology Columbus, OH (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Ohio Health (0.8 miles)
• OSU Harding Hospital (3 miles)
• Richard M Ross Heart Hospital (3.2 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (4 miles)

Parks

• Whetstone Park / Park of Roses (1.1 miles)
• Thompson Park (1.8 miles)
• Antrim Park (2.8 miles)
• Carriage Place Park (3.5 miles)
• Quarry Trails Metro Park (4.1 miles)
• Goodale Park (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Tensuke Market (1.1 miles)
• Roosters (2 miles)
• BIBIBOP Asian Grill (2 miles)
• Brassica (2.1 miles)
• Arby's (2.8 miles)
• Buckeye Donuts (2.9 miles)
• Wendy's (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kroger Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Marc's Stores (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Andrew Church (1.5 miles)
• Holy Name Church (2.6 miles)
• St Christopher Church (3.5 miles)
• Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church (3.6 miles)
• Saint Brendan Catholic Church (3.8 miles)
• Faith Ministries Church (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Crimson Cup (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Fox in the Snow Cafe (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• The Ohio State University Airport at Don Scott Field (OSU) (3.3 miles)