Autumn Healthcare of Newark

Pros

• The staff can provide more personalized attention to each resident and short-term rehabilitation patient due to the facility's smaller size.
• The nursing and rehabilitation staff are attentive, professional, and patient-focused.
• The facility's Medicare and Medicaid participation makes care accessible to more families in the community.
• The environment is warm, welcoming, and feels like family.
• The staff are compassionate, attentive, and consistently go above and beyond to meet individual needs.
• The Executive Director is highly regarded and maintains strong, effective leadership for staff and guests.
• The facility has earned the AHCA Bronze Award, highlighting excellent and caring staff.
• The facility is consistently clean, well-kept, and inviting.
• Therapy services are excellent and goal-oriented.

Cons

• The staff are not nice people and will give up on the patients.
• This is the worst place ever; don't put your loved ones in this nursing home.
• Call lights don't get answered in a timely manner.
• The speech therapist is controlling and won't listen to the family members.
• The staff's decision to keep a patient on a mashed, blended diet against the patient's wishes is a violation of the patient's rights.
• This place should be shut down.
• Night staff is especially rude and treats requests as a huge inconvenience.

Review

Altercare Newark South in Newark, Ohio presents itself as a small, intimate option in the world of long-term care and rehabilitation. With 48 beds, it emphasizes a personalized approach that many residents and families describe as feeling more like a family than a typical institutional setting. Several reviewers highlight that the smaller size helps the staff focus on each resident's individual needs, allowing for a warmer, more home-like atmosphere where care feels attentive and individualized. The facility's accessibility is also noted, as it participates in both Medicare and Medicaid, making services more reachable for families in the community.

A common thread across numerous accounts is the dedicated, patient-focused team. The nursing and rehabilitation staff are repeatedly described as attentive, professional, and compassionate. Families report that staff take time to understand unique needs, maintain clear communication with families, and provide steady support through the recovery journey. The environment is described as welcoming and supportive, with staff going above and beyond to help residents feel cared for and valued. The presence of a stable, caring staff culture is frequently tied to a broader sense of safety, reassurance, and peace of mind for loved ones and their families.

Cleanliness and the overall atmosphere also feature prominently in the praise. Reviewers consistently note that the facility is clean, well-kept, and orderly, with many commenting on pleasant smells and a bright, tidy environment. The leadership is recognized by name in several reviews, including commendations for the executive director, who is described as knowledgeable, accessible, and instrumental in keeping operations smooth. The facility's acknowledgement of quality care is reinforced by its recognition with the AHCA Bronze Award, which some reviewers repeatedly point to as evidence of a standard of excellence and a commitment to high-quality care.

Therapy and rehabilitation services receive high marks from those who have firsthand experience with the program. Several residents and families highlight the quality of therapy - both skilled rehab and ongoing support - which helps patients achieve their goals. Personal anecdotes emphasize progress, goal-oriented care, and therapists who are attentive and encouraging. For many families, the combination of compassionate staff, personalized attention, and effective therapy makes Altercare Newark South a reassuring option when planning longer-term care or post-hospital rehabilitation.

Positive experiences are echoed in many individual testimonies. Families describe moments when staff were especially supportive, including administrative leadership who were present and responsive, and a strong sense of being "in good hands." Some residents happily describe routines and activities designed to create a sense of community, with opportunities for gatherings and engagement that help make the setting feel welcoming and home-like. The overall impression from these accounts is that Altercare Newark South can provide excellent care, a respectful environment, and meaningful rehabilitation when everything aligns well.

However, the picture is not uniformly positive. A substantial number of reviewers report significant concerns about the care experience. Some write that staff can be unfriendly or unhelpful, with specific complaints about night staff being rude or about delays in responding to call bells. One review describes a patient being left waiting for a long period for bathroom assistance, and another mentions delays in medication and a perception that patient needs were not prioritized in a timely manner. There are also troubling accounts alleging violations of patient rights, such as being forced to use a Hoyer lift, concerns about bed alarms not being used when necessary, and perceptions that some decisions about diet and care were not appropriately discussed with family members. One reviewer characterized the facility with strong, negative language, suggesting it should be shut down, and alleging allegations of theft and dirty rooms.

The spectrum of experiences appears wide. Some reviewers frame Altercare Newark South as a top-tier facility with outstanding staff, beautiful and clean facilities, and a supportive leadership team, while others recount experiences that fall far short of their expectations, including miscommunications, perceived neglect, and at times inappropriate or unsafe practices. A few testimonials emphasize that while there can be excellent care and moments of exceptional staff involvement, variability in day-to-day execution and management matters can color the overall experience.

For families considering Altercare Newark South, the takeaway is nuanced. The facility can offer a warm, small-community environment with highly attentive staff, robust cleanliness, and strong therapeutic services that support meaningful recovery and ongoing care in a home-like setting. Yet potential residents and their loved ones should be mindful of the reports of inconsistent experiences, and they may want to prioritize direct conversations with administrators, tours that focus on staffing patterns and responsiveness, and questions about how personal care plans are implemented and monitored. Given the presence of both high praise and serious criticisms, visiting the facility, speaking with current residents and families, and obtaining a clear understanding of patient rights, safety protocols, and staff availability will help families make an informed decision about whether this is the right fit for their needs.

This part of Newark, Ohio offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities in close proximity. Residents can enjoy dining options such as DankHouse Brewing Company, McDonald's, and Chipotle Mexican Grill within walking distance. There are also several places of worship nearby including the Newark Church Of The Nazarene and Crossroads Baptist Church. For medical needs, there are physicians offices like Indian Mound Eye Clinic and Buckeye Physical Medicine, as well as pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. Licking Memorial Hospital is also easily accessible for healthcare services. Additionally, seniors can relax and catch a movie at the AMC Indian Mound 9 theater or enjoy nature at local parks like Horns Hill Park and Fanchion Park. Overall, this area provides convenience and accessibility for those looking to retire in Newark.

Restaurants

• DankHouse Brewing Company (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.7 miles)
• Wendy's (0.7 miles)
• Fetter's Dairy Isle (0.8 miles)
• Fazoli's (0.8 miles)
• IHOP (1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Newark Church Of The Nazarene (0.3 miles)
• Crossroads Baptist Church (1 miles)
• Newark Heights Church Of God (1.4 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (1.4 miles)
• The Pentecostal Church of God (1.5 miles)
• Vineyard Grace Fellowship (2.1 miles)
• The Word Church (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.2 miles)
• Big Apple Cafe (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Indian Mound Eye Clinic (1.3 miles)
• Kidney Specialist (1.5 miles)
• East Ohio Oral Maxillo (1.5 miles)
• Hufza Hanif (1.5 miles)
• Buckeye Physical Medicine - Robert T Richards MD (1.6 miles)
• Dr Hopkins Office (1.7 miles)
• Dr Bennington (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Hospitals

• Licking Memorial Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Licking Memorial Pain Management Clinic (1.6 miles)
• Licking Memorial Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Licking Memorial Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program (2.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Indian Mound 9 (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Horns Hill Park (3.4 miles)
• Fanchion Park (4 miles)