Salem West Healthcare Center

Pros

• The staff work especially hard to ensure residents receive the best care possible.
• The facility is inviting and the staff are nice, helpful, and compassionate toward residents.
• The place feels like a home away from home with engaging activities for residents.
• The facility is very clean and well maintained, with management that genuinely cares about both employees and residents.
• The nursing staff are involved and quick to resolve problems, showing attentive care.
• A reviewer notes that their grandmother was cared for very well during a seven-year stay at the facility.

Cons

• The care for patients is described as very terrible.
• All five-star ratings apparently come only from employees.
• The facility smells of urine.
• No nursing home should be open in this condition.
• They would not recommend putting a loved one there.
• It is described as a horrible place where a patient was left to die and the family was ignored.
• Staff allegedly refused to talk to the family.
• The facility needs to be investigated.
• Nurse Becky is said to be mean to the reviewer's father.
• They refused to transport the patient to the hospital when needed.

Review

Across the collected reviews, Salem West emerges as a facility that divides opinion. Some reviewers describe it as a place where staff work especially hard to ensure residents receive the best possible care, and where families feel a genuine sense of warmth and support. Others, however, paint a starkly different picture - one of neglect, poor communication, and serious concerns about patient safety. Taken together, the comments form a complex portrait of a home that can feel like a safe, comforting environment for some, while for others it has become a source of fear and disappointment.

Several accounts highlight the positive, home-like aspects of the facility. A number of reviewers speak highly of the staff's compassion and the reassuring atmosphere they create. Phrases like "It's like home away from home," and "the staff is very compassionate with each resident" recur in the comments. One person recalls walking into Salem West and finding it inviting, with staff who were helpful and kind, and they even recommend the facility to others, saying they felt at ease and slept well knowing their loved one was cared for. Compliments extend to the cleanliness and maintenance of the building, with remarks about being well kept and well managed, and praise for the management team who seem to prioritize both employees and residents. The facility is described by some as having active engagement for residents - an array of activities that residents enjoy - and the nursing staff is characteristically described as involved, quick to resolve problems, and attentive to escalating needs.

In contrast, a substantial portion of the feedback is harsh and specific about serious problems. Several reviews allege that some of the staff members either do not communicate effectively or fail to provide adequate care. There are claims that certain units smell of urine and that some patients experience neglect, sometimes with delays in basic needs or medical attention. One reviewer explicitly claims that "All of the 5 stars are from employees," and another insists that the facility should not be open in its current state. A number of comments express strong dissatisfaction with the level of care, including statements that loved ones were not given appropriate medical attention or that staff seemingly prioritized other concerns over residents' well-being. The tone of these reviews is alarmed, with phrases like "needs investigated," "no nursing home should be open in this condition," and "refuse to talk to you" appearing as recurring themes.

There are particularly pointed anecdotes about communication failures and safety concerns. At least one reviewer describes a lack of timely communication with families, especially during a loved one's stay, and another details a situation where a nurse allegedly treated a patient harshly or prevented timely access to needed medical services. Some reviewers describe dramatic patient safety concerns - swollen legs, dehydration, and a contention that a resident's hospital transfer or timely medical evaluation was hindered. One reviewer even names a specific staff member, alleging that money is the primary motive for care decisions and that the person treats residents as numbers rather than individuals. The combination of poor communication, perceived neglect, and aggressive staffing criticisms leads some families to urge others to "run away from anything connected with Communicare."

Beyond individual anecdotes, the reviews reflect a tension between perceived strengths and critical weaknesses. Some reviewers acknowledge excellent or caring staff and emphasize that the facility can be a safe, loving environment when everything goes well. Others describe a culture where problems are not adequately addressed, where family members feel ignored, and where basic compassion and medical responsiveness seem inconsistent. Across the spectrum, the theme of accountability surfaces repeatedly - whether through praise for well-trained, empathetic teams or calls for investigations into reported neglect and dismissal of concerns. This divergence makes it clear that experiences at Salem West are not uniform and depend heavily on factors such as the particular staff on shift, the specific unit, and how concerns are handled by administration and care management.

In sum, the impressions shared about Salem West run the gamut from high praise to severe disappointment. For some families, it can feel like a trusted home where residents are treated with dignity, kindness, and attentive medical care, with staff who genuinely care about both residents and their families. For others, it is a source of grave concern, marked by poor communication, perceived neglect, and serious questions about safety and quality of care. The breadth of experiences underscores the importance of visiting personally, speaking with staff, reviewing medical records and care plans, and assessing whether a facility's operations, culture, and leadership align with the needs and expectations of a loved one.

This part of Salem, Ohio, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. The proximity to various restaurants such as Jalisco's, Wendy's, and Bob Evans provide easy dining options for residents. Additionally, the nearby pharmacies like Marc's Stores and Rite Aid offer accessible healthcare services. For medical care, there are several physicians' offices including Salem Radiologists and Salem Women's Care close by, as well as Salem Regional Medical Center for more serious health needs. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the multiple parks in the vicinity like Waterworth Memorial Park and Coy Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. Lastly, individuals seeking spiritual fulfillment can choose from various places of worship such as First United Methodist Church and St Charles Church. Overall, this area of Salem provides a well-rounded community with the necessary amenities for a comfortable senior living experience.

Restaurants

• Jalisco's (0.2 miles)
• Wendy's (0.2 miles)
• Subway (0.2 miles)
• Arby's (0.3 miles)
• Bob Evans (0.3 miles)
• Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Marc's Stores (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (8.5 miles)
• Pharmacy Care (9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.4 miles)
• Morgan's Drug Store (9.6 miles)
• Hometown Pharmacy (9.8 miles)
• Gromoll Drug Store (10.2 miles)

Physicians

• Salem Radiologists (0.4 miles)
• Salem Women's Care (0.4 miles)
• Family Practice Center of Salem (0.5 miles)
• Economous Dean MD (0.5 miles)
• Gastroenterology Center of Salem (0.5 miles)
• Salem Pediatric Care Center (0.5 miles)
• Danny E Sankovic (0.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Salem Regional Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Physicians Dialysis Center-North Lima (10.1 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (10.6 miles)
• St Elizabeth Boardman Health Center (10.6 miles)
• Corporate Care (10.7 miles)
• Akron Children's Hospital (11.5 miles)
• St Elizabeth Anticoagulation Clinic (11.7 miles)

Parks

• Waterworth Memorial Park (1.4 miles)
• Coy Park (3 miles)
• The Hine Memorial Fund Playground (7 miles)
• Harvey S. Firestone Memorial Park (7.3 miles)
• Firestone Park (7.3 miles)
• Guilford State Park (7.4 miles)

Cafes

• LiBs Market (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (9.6 miles)
• Suzie's Dogs and Drafts (10.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church (1.6 miles)
• Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church (2.4 miles)
• St Charles Church (11.6 miles)