Manorcare Health Services Shadyside

Pros

• The facility was described as very clean with pleasant atmosphere and nice nurses.
• One reviewer was impressed by professionalism, kind care, concern, acknowledgment, and a welcoming atmosphere, with requests met with a smile and residents feeling safe.
• Supervising Nurse Nicole was described as hands down the best, going above and beyond to help during the stay.
• A reviewer noted that the staff provided adults with care akin to neonatal-level care and thanked them.
• The front desk staff were described as sweet, contributing to a positive first impression.

Cons

• Reviewers describe the facility as dirty and filthy, with surfaces that smell and areas that reek of urine.
• They claim staff are overworked, undertrained, or unprofessional, with some aides hiding in stairwells using their phones and neglecting residents.
• They report a lack of basic amenities, such as no ice water, no ginger ale, and no cream for coffee.
• Residents are said to be left in soiled conditions for long periods, and bedsores have developed.
• Medications are described as mishandled or not administered properly, with pills left out and chemo meds improperly handled.
• Call bells are said to be ignored for extended periods, and residents' privacy is not respected during care.
• The environment is described as dirty and odorous, with windowsills having dirt or dead bugs.
• The facility is portrayed as unhealthy enough to warrant condemnation by health authorities, and families are advised to avoid it.
• Elders are described as experiencing abuse or neglect, leading to trauma and fear for their loved ones.
• Communication is poor, with complaints often not addressed and no one answering the phone.

Review

The set of experiences shared about Shadyside Skilled Nursing Facility presents a paradoxically wide spectrum. On one hand, a handful of visitors speak warmly about professionalism, friendliness, and reassuring care; on the other, the majority of accounts describe a facility marred by dirt, neglect, and serious safety concerns. Taken together, the narratives form a complex mosaic: some interactions feel compassionate and competent, while many others leave families alarmed and eager to move a loved one elsewhere. The tone shifts between praise, anger, fear, and condemnation, underscoring how unpredictable quality can be in a single place depending on who is providing care and when.

Several reviewers frame their comments around cleanliness and odor as a pressing, lasting impression. One account describes an environment that "smells so bad" and looks dirty from the moment of entry, with references to an "outhouse" ambiance in the lobby and a general sense of neglect. Another family member recounts finding a room with dirt and even "dead bugs laying in the window sills," while someone else notes a stench that overwhelmed visitors and made them question whether the facility should be open. The contrast within the same building is striking: some say "surface doesn't look too bad," yet others insist that the conditions are unsanitary and unsafe - an inconsistency that can be jarring for families trying to make informed decisions about a loved one's care.

Care delivery and staffing emerge as a central fault line in these reviews. A number of comments accuse aides of being overwhelmed, distracted, or uncommitted, with specific accusations of staff "busy hiding in the stairwell using their phones" and call bells that go unanswered for extended periods. Several accounts emphasize perceived undertraining or lack of attention to residents' basic needs, including one dire claim of a patient being left to toilet and clean up themselves for an extended stretch. By contrast, there are mentions of individual staff members who stood out for their dedication - one reviewer praises a supervising nurse named Nicole as "hands down the best" - and another recounts a compassionate, professional approach on entry. These mixed experiences illustrate how the same facility can feel like two different places depending on the particular shift, unit, or staff member involved.

Medical safety and accountability are frequent touchpoints in the critiques. Several stories revolve around missteps in evaluation and treatment, with families reporting delayed recognition of medical changes and inappropriate handling of medications. One family notes that their spouse fell from bed and subsequently developed pneumonia, while the facility reportedly minimised the incident as routine before the true severity became clear. There are also alarming anecdotes about the administration of medications, including pills left out for residents to take on their own or offered in forms that may not be appropriate for someone with swallowing difficulties. The strongest denunciations go beyond discomfort or frustration to allege elder abuse or dangerous neglect, with phrases like "ELDER ABUSE" and calls to condemn the facility echoing through some reviews.

Residents' daily experiences - ranging from meals to privacy - also color the overall assessment. The matter of food quality is mentioned, but not consistently: some reviewers imply the meals were merely acceptable, while others imply they were inadequate or unpalatable. Privacy concerns crop up as well; one review describes a caregiver changing a roommate's condition in public view without proper privacy measures, highlighting a lack of dignity in routine care. In another vein, some families describe a responsive, personable front desk and customer service, while others report that the front desk is friendly only on the surface or that the phone goes unanswered for long stretches, leaving families anxious about their loved ones' welfare.

The emotional weight of these experiences runs deep. For several families, placing a loved one in this facility was a fraught decision shaped by prior positive experiences at other SNFs, mixed with the perception that this particular place could disappoint even the most reasonable expectations. One reviewer who had previously had good results in SNFs elsewhere describes the contrast starkly: a place that felt "filthy" and unsafe compared to other facilities that offered reliable care and attentiveness. Another account likens the experience to a nightmare, invoking a strong, visceral reaction to the combination of odors, dirty rooms, unattended calls, and the sense that life-and-death decisions are happening under-inspected and under-supported. The mixed messages - praise of some staffers and condemnations of the overall system - leave readers with a cautious, wary impression.

Ultimately, these reviews urge prospective visitors and family members to conduct their own thorough checks before making a placement decision. The recurring recommendations include inspecting the floor and rooms in person, evaluating how residents are attended to, noting how quickly and effectively call bells are answered, and looking for consistency in care quality across different shifts and units. The collective voice also serves as a reminder that one should not rely on marketing alone; personal observation and due diligence are essential. It's clear that experiences at Shadyside Skilled Nursing Facility are not monolithic: some residents and families encounter compassionate, capable care, while others encounter conditions and practices that raise serious concerns about safety, cleanliness, and respect.

For anyone considering care for a loved one, the message is to listen to a broad set of voices, visit multiple times if possible, and assess not just the facility's appearance but the daily routines, responsiveness, and dignity afforded to residents. The stories here underscore the importance of transparency, consistent staffing, and strict adherence to safety and hygiene standards in skilled nursing environments. Whether you encounter warmth and professionalism or frustration and alarm, the best course appears to be a careful, first-hand evaluation - because in this facility, as in many places, the truth about day-to-day care is likely to depend on whom you happen to meet.

This particular part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity, residents have easy access to medical care. Additionally, there are various cafes and restaurants for socializing and enjoying meals out. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The presence of places of worship also allows for spiritual fulfillment. Public transportation options such as bus stations and an Amtrak station ensure ease of travel for seniors who may not drive. Overall, this area provides a convenient and vibrant environment for senior living.

Physicians

• Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa (0.2 miles)
• Aiken Medical Building (0.5 miles)
• Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC (1.6 miles)
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1.6 miles)
• Kaufmann Medical Building (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Arriviste Coffee Bar (0.4 miles)
• Bakery Square (0.9 miles)
• Redstart Roasters (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Trace Brewing (1.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Brooklyn Bagel At Arsenal (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Stanton Negley Drug Company (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• 5801 Video Lounge & Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar Penn Ave (1 miles)
• Spork (1 miles)
• East End Brewing Company (1.2 miles)
• The Porch at Schenley (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Calvary Episcopal Church (0.6 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Hillman Cancer Center (0.7 miles)
• Western Pennsylvania Hospital labor and delivery (1.1 miles)
• Western Pennsylvania Hospital (1.1 miles)
• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (1.6 miles)
• UPMC Presbyterian (1.6 miles)
• UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (1.7 miles)
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Schenley Park (1.2 miles)
• Frick Park (1.5 miles)
• Frick Park Blue Slide Playground (1.6 miles)
• Arsenal Park (2 miles)
• Leslie Park Field (2.1 miles)
• Aspinwall Riverfront Park (3 miles)
• Filmet Park (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Waterfront 22 (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak - Pittsburgh Station (3.2 miles)
• Bus Station (3.3 miles)