Golden LivingCenter - Richland in Johnstown, PA

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Pros

• The facility is very caring and compassionate.
• The staff have been exceptional in all aspects of care.
• The care and attention given to residents are thorough and kind, and the facility is clean.
• The long-tenured staff are very caring and provide excellent care.
• The staff are polite and professional, and the facility is organized and decorated beautifully.
• Tawny and the caregiving team consistently go above and beyond in providing resident care.
• The therapy department does an excellent job getting residents back on track.
• The environment is welcoming, clean, and feels like home.

Cons

• The rooms are small and offer little personal space for residents.
• The facility is dirty and smells strongly of urine and feces.
• Residents are neglected, with water and timely help often ignored.
• The building is filthy, with peeling paint and walls that are dirty.
• The environment is noisy, with beepers buzzing and residents appearing lost in the halls.
• The staff are rude and do not care for the patients.
• The food is not edible and is often served cold.
• Health concerns and calls are not communicated promptly to families.
• The place is described as a cesspool and should be avoided.
• Ants crawling on the walls indicate extremely poor conditions.

Review

Golden LivingCenter - Richland is best suited for seniors who need post-acute rehab or recovery-focused care and who value a visibly caring, resident-centered staff. When staffing holds steady, families will find a welcoming, home-like atmosphere where therapy teams drive progress and where caregivers consistently demonstrate patience and attentiveness. The facility earns strong marks for cleanliness, organized operations, and a responsive clinical team that can guide a resident from hospital discharge to home. In short, this community shines for individuals who prioritize compassionate hands-on care, meaningful therapy, and a warm, personable staff rapport over showroom polish or expansive room sizes.

That said, families should consider alternatives if space, modern aesthetics, or consistent communication are nonnegotiables. Several reviews flag small rooms and older-looking interiors, with some areas described as needing updates relative to the rest of the building. Others emphasize the importance of timely, clear information for families, noting that delays or gaps in communication about health concerns can be frustrating. For residents who require larger living areas, a more contemporary look, or a care environment with relentlessly proactive family updates, a different community may yield better alignment with those expectations.

The strongest upside here lies in the people delivering care and the therapy-driven path to recovery. Across multiple cohorts, the staff, especially the long-tenured caregivers and nurses, receives near-unanimous praise for kindness, compassion, and a willingness to go above and beyond. Families repeatedly highlight the therapy department as a standout, with residents regaining function and returning home at meaningful rates. The atmosphere is frequently described as welcoming, clean, and supportive, with anecdotes about staff creating a sense of safety and belonging that extends beyond clinical treatment. When the care team is functioning at full strength, this is where Richland earns its highest confidence.

However, the record is not flawless, and the intensity of the negatives cannot be dismissed. A recurring concern is the mismatch between expectations and conditions in some rooms and common spaces: reports of persistent odors, cleanliness issues, and small, cramped rooms that feel more utilitarian than comforting. Specific accounts describe hair not being washed for extended periods, periods of neglect around basic needs, and instances where meals or water were not readily available. Noise, beepers, and chipped paint contribute to an environment that can detract from peace and recovery, particularly for residents who require quiet, predictable surroundings. The most troubling reviews tie these conditions to perceived lapses in basic care and responsive communication.

The key to weighing pros against cons rests on the intended trajectory of the resident’s stay. For a recovering patient who benefits from aggressive therapy, daily nursing attention, and a high-touch approach from staff, the positives often offset the downsides when oversight is strong and family involvement remains active. The facility has earned praise for rapid call-backs, a team that truly cares, and care plans that support rehabilitation and discharge planning. Yet for a resident who commands near-constant reassurance, needs, or oversight, or for families who fear gaps in routine updates, the negatives can erode confidence quickly. In other words, the value proposition thickens where therapy momentum and compassionate staffing are reliable, but thins where cleanliness, room comfort, and consistent communication falter.

Actionable due diligence will determine whether Richland is the right fit. Prospective families should insist on a transparent tour, directly observe how the therapy area functions, and ask to meet the nurse manager or primary care coordinators to understand staffing levels and shift patterns. Request a walk-through of the typical room size and a detailed discussion of any planned renovations. Have conversations with social workers about discharge planning timelines and how family updates are communicated during weekends and holidays. It’s equally wise to probe for recent quality metrics, revisit any outstanding concerns from prior residents, and seek direct feedback from current families about responsiveness to calls and care requests. If these checks align with strong, consistent answers, Richland becomes a compelling choice for rehab-focused care.

Overall, Golden LivingCenter - Richland represents a practical, capable option for families prioritizing compassionate care, functional rehab, and a supportive staff culture. It delivers undeniable strengths in personnel dedication, therapy effectiveness, and a generally clean, welcoming setting. Yet the decision should hinge on a clear-eyed assessment of space, maintenance, and communication quality. For families that can tolerate smaller rooms and occasional imperfections in the physical environment while actively engaging with the care team, this community offers a trustworthy pathway to recovery and peace of mind. For those whose top priorities are modern rooms, spotless condition across every corner, and relentlessly proactive, real-time family updates, it may be prudent to examine alternatives where those expectations are more fully realized.

Located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, this area offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With convenient access to cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks, as well as restaurants such as Chili's Grill & Bar and Denny's, residents can enjoy dining out with ease. Additionally, there are several pharmacies, including Genoa Healthcare and Rite Aid, nearby for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. For medical care, hospitals like Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and the James E Van Dandt VA clinic are within a short distance. Places of worship such as Crossroads Community Church and St Benedict Church offer spiritual support for those seeking a sense of community. Transportation options like the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport provide easy travel opportunities. Parks like Lorain Park and Roxbury Park offer green spaces for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. Overall, this area provides a convenient and comfortable environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• The Morning Grind (4.9 miles)
• Flood City Cafe (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• Richland Cinemas (0.5 miles)
• Silver Drive-In (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (0.5 miles)
• Associates In Family Eyecare (0.6 miles)
• Laurel Eye Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Griesheimer Patricia Nulton Diagnostic (0.7 miles)
• Univ of Pittsburgh Med Center (0.7 miles)
• Ear Nose & Throat Associates Of Johnstown (0.7 miles)
• Laurel Kidney Specialists PC (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Chili's Grill & Bar (0.6 miles)
• It's Just Wings (0.6 miles)
• Denny's (0.6 miles)
• Subway (0.9 miles)
• Firehouse Subs (1.2 miles)
• Main Moon Chinese Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Genoa Healthcare (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• East Hills Family Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.2 miles)
• Randy's Bilo Foods (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• James E Van Dandt VA clinic (1.2 miles)
• Windber Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Crossroads Community Church (1.3 miles)
• Faith Chapel (1.9 miles)
• St Benedict Church (2.5 miles)
• Scalp Level Church of the Brethren (2.5 miles)
• St Patrick's Church Rectory (4.2 miles)
• St Vincent De Paul Caring Ministries (4.8 miles)
• St Clare Of Assisi Church Hall (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (2.9 miles)
• Ken Lantzy All Star Game (5.3 miles)
• CamTram (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Lorain Park (3.3 miles)
• Roxbury Park (5.1 miles)