Alzheimer's Care Silver Oaks of New Castle

Pros

• The staff are considerate, kind, prompt, and consistently nice and encouraging.
• The nurses and staff are very attentive and caring.
• Kim, the social director, is awesome and has helped families tremendously by explaining the facility and coordinating referrals.
• Management is wonderful and maintains a good rapport with staff and families.
• The Grove is a wonderful facility with dedicated, caring staff and is highly recommended for short-term rehab or long-term care.
• Caregivers such as Jason and Emily, along with other staff, follow through and provide strong support during difficult times.
• The staff foster a friendly, welcoming environment and provide engaging activities for residents.

Cons

• The Grove is described as run down, dilapidated, dirty, and with a persistent urine smell.
• The environment is gloomy and not pleasant, with calls for upgrades to improve quality of care.
• The staff, including department heads, are rude and the therapy staff is unprofessional.
• The facility is severely understaffed, old, and broken down.
• Residents reported dirty conditions, neglectful care, and a bedpan left for days.
• Food supply is insufficient, menus are not followed, and special diets cannot be accommodated.
• Calls for help go unanswered for long periods (up to an hour); residents are left waiting.
• Health records are not properly managed, leading to miscommunications and delays, and information is sometimes withheld.

Review

The Grove at New Castle, Kadima (formerly Grove) is a facility that elicits a broad spectrum of feelings from those who interact with it. On one hand, there are heartfelt testimonials about compassion, kindness, and personal connections with the staff. On the other, there are strongly negative assessments that describe a dilapidated environment, inconsistent care, and serious concerns about safety and food. Taken together, the reviews paint a complex picture of a place where individual experiences vary dramatically depending on who is helping you and when you arrive.

Several reviews center on standout staff who make a lasting positive impression. One responder, Rob Pitzer, who recently arrived after spinal surgery, specifically singles out Mr. Waddell for exceptional warmth, reassurance, and practical help in settling into his room. He describes Waddell as a "scholar and gentleman" who alleviates nerves, demonstrates care for patients with various medical needs, and exudes capability and dedication. Other messages praise the ongoing attentiveness of the nursing and care teams, and a few residents or family members highlight Kim, the Social Director, and Michelle, the manager, for clear communication, helpful guidance, and a good rapport with families. In multiple reviews, staff members like Jason and Emily are mentioned by name as having been dependable and supportive, with caregivers visibly working hard to meet patients' needs and transitions back home.

Yet, alongside these positive voices, there are numerous critical evaluations that focus on the facility's physical state and overall environment. Several reviewers describe the setting as gloomy, run-down, and in need of substantial upgrades. Complaints include old, broken-down buildings, lingering smells, and a general sense that the environment is not conducive to comfort or quality care. One reviewer explicitly notes that the place is "old, broken down, smells, under skilled workers," and another calls it dirty with insufficient upkeep. For families and patients who place a high value on the ambience and maintenance of a care facility, this sentiment is a recurrent theme across many remarks.

Food, safety, and responsiveness emerge as recurring concerns in the negative feedback. A number of entries allege that the facility struggles with food supply, sometimes unable to adhere to menus or special diets, which raises serious worries about nutrition and patient well-being. There are specific accusations of neglect, such as delays in responding to calls (a button sometimes not being answered for extended periods), and reports of miscommunications and withheld or mishandled information. Several reviews describe situations where essential health records were not sent, or care plans were not followed as expected, fueling a sense of disorganization and mistrust. One particularly stark account mentions a bedpan left with urine for days and a claim that staff did not follow dressing changes, illustrating perceived lapses in basic care and hygiene.

The most extreme statements in the collection underscore the fear and disappointment some families felt. Phrases like "Absolutely deplorable," "don't believe the photos," and "Worst place ever" reflect a belief that the facility sometimes falls far short of acceptable standards. In some cases, reviewers emphasize the emotional toll - crying after leaving the facility or feeling compelled to remove a loved one early - until the core message becomes clear: the foundational aspects of patient safety, timely care, and reliable communication are viewed as seriously compromised by critics.

Amid the polarized views, several reviews acknowledge positive intentions and emphasize the importance of proactive family involvement. Some families report that when they were engaged - asking questions, requesting specific care plans, and maintaining open lines of communication - the staff did their best to meet expectations and deliver compassionate care. A few commentators also highlight the potential for the facility to shine with stronger leadership, more consistent staffing, and better resource management, suggesting that with changes, the Grove could deliver the quality of care many families hope to see.

In sum, the Grove at New Castle appears to be a place of meaningful human connection and genuine dedication from some staff members, especially in individual interactions that leave patients feeling cared for and supported. At the same time, the facility contends with serious criticisms about its environment, resources, and consistency of care. The range of experiences signals that outcomes may depend heavily on factors such as staffing levels at a given time, the specific care team involved, and how actively families participate in the care process. For anyone considering this facility, it would be prudent to inquire about current staffing ratios, maintenance plans, food sourcing and dietary accommodations, and the facility's procedures for communication and care coordination, to ensure expectations align with the present reality.

This part of New Castle, Pennsylvania offers convenient access to several hospitals, pharmacies, restaurants, and physicians within a short distance, making it an ideal location for senior living. The proximity to UPMC Jameson Hospital and other healthcare facilities ensures easy access to medical services. Additionally, there are various dining options ranging from casual eateries like Bills Sandwich Shop to more upscale choices such as II Tomato. Places of worship like First Assembly Of God and First United Methodist Church provide spiritual support for residents. The presence of parks like Pearson Park and Shenango Community Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle in a welcoming community.

Hospitals

• UPMC Jameson Hospital - North Campus (0.6 miles)
• Edgewood Surgical Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Jameson Health System (1.7 miles)
• UPMC Jameson Hospital - South Campus (1.7 miles)
• New Wilmington Family Medicine (7.8 miles)
• Heritage Valley Health System (12.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Edwards Restaurant & Lounge (0.7 miles)
• Bills Sandwich Shop (0.7 miles)
• Pizza Man's Pizza (1.1 miles)
• II Tomato (1.3 miles)
• El Canelo Mexican Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Two Fat Guys And An Oven (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• UPMC Jameson Outpatient Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (0.8 miles)
• The Hometown Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• Lawrence County Surgery Center (0.8 miles)
• Pain Management Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Dr Ali (0.9 miles)
• UPMC Jameson Partial Hospitalization Program (1.3 miles)
• Oral & Facial Surgical Center - John W Clemenza DMD MD (1.7 miles)
• Northwest Regional Cardiology (1.7 miles)
• Upmc (1.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Assembly Of God (1.2 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (2 miles)
• Zion's Hill (10.8 miles)
• Church of Christ of Struthers (12.7 miles)

Parks

• Pearson Park (3.8 miles)
• Shenango Community Park (4.3 miles)
• Marti Park (6.1 miles)
• R.C. Stiefel Park (12 miles)
• Bob Cene Park (12.3 miles)
• Moraine State Park (12.8 miles)
• McConnells Mill State Park (13 miles)

Cafes

• National Grind (11.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (12.5 miles)