Bannister Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

Pros

• The nurses went above and beyond to help her.
• PT and OT are great.
• The facility has been upgraded and is very clean.
• She is well cared for, with a clean and well-appointed bed at each visit.
• The staff demonstrated dedication and professionalism, nursing patients to their highest potential with dignity and respect.
• The rehab staff and the nurse manager were great and made a difference.
• The facility is family-oriented.
• The front desk staff were calming and supportive when contacted by family.

Cons

• The facility is run down and dirty, with staff that do not take care of patients and are rude.
• The social worker is described as useless, and the director and nursing leadership as rude.
• A patient was left unattended for over an hour with a call light ignored and no assistance offered.
• Personal items, including clothing, were stolen from residents.
• Medications were mishandled, with another patient's meds ending up in the bag.
• Dietary restrictions were ignored and residents were subjected to cold showers.
• The facility allegedly drained a resident's funds, taking a large portion of their money.

Review

Across a broad spectrum of experiences, this care facility emerges in many different lights. Some families speak of real transformation and hope, while others recount situations that shock, frustrate, or alarm them. The threads run from the glow of improved function and dignified care to the stark reality of perceived neglect, administrative missteps, and safety concerns. Taken together, the remarks paint a picture of a place that has moments of genuine dedication and professionalism, but also serious flaws that some families believe warrant closer scrutiny or even shutdown.

Several residents and family members describe meaningful improvements after moving in. One sister-in-law, new to the area and coming from a facility described as run-down and less attentive, has shown noticeable gains in both physical and cognitive functioning, with physical therapy and occupational therapy praised as excellent. The environment is described as upgraded and clean, with residents dressed appropriately upon arrival and a sense that they are well cared for, including tidy, comfortable beds. In another testimonial, a family member notes true dedication and utmost professionalism in caring for patients, emphasizing that the staff do not give up on those they serve and strive to preserve dignity and respect. A grateful reviewer even calls this team "nui1 to mind my family," underscoring confidence in the caring mission.

There are also accounts of responsive and supportive interactions with staff, particularly in moments of anxiety or fear. A reviewer who was initially influenced by others' opinions later reversed course, crediting nurses and front-desk staff for their comfort, thorough explanations, and reassuring presence during difficult times. The sentiment here suggests that the facility can be a place of warmth and reassurance when the team is attentive, able to calm fears, and communicative about care plans and processes. Some praise centers on the contrast between the warm, patient-centric approach of the nursing team and the demanding realities of medical care, highlighting staff who go above and beyond to reassure families and address concerns promptly.

However, the majority of the narratives skew toward highly concerning experiences that raise questions about safety, ethics, and management. One long-time resident recounts a troubling mix of positive rehab support and a very negative social services experience, noting a strong contrast between the care in physical therapy and nursing versus the behavior of a particular social services staff member who created a hostile, painful stay. The account also includes a troubling financial dimension: the patient asserts that a substantial sum - $90,000 of their own money - was taken, followed by insinuations about a lack of scruples within the business office. This review, rooted in a 2018 experience, ends with the author contemplating legal action and statute of limitations, underscoring a deep sense of betrayal and mistrust toward administration.

Several reviews are relentlessly negative, detailing encounters that feel neglectful or traumatic. One reviewer describes their mother-in-law sitting for over an hour with pants down, with no one answering call lights or helping, forcing them to intervene by calling the front desk. Additional complaints include staff refusing to help a patient out of bed when requested, an almost useless social worker, and a general sense that the facility is failing to meet basic needs. A later update recounts a dramatic failure surrounding medication: a nurse allegedly dispensed their mother's medications to another patient's bag before they could verify, raising concerns about medication safety and proper handoffs. The culmination of care failures is framed as a pattern, with the reviewer declaring the place to be among the worst they have experienced, citing rude nurses and overall poor care.

More sweeping criticisms focus on the physical environment and daily operations. Several reviewers describe an old, dirty building with rude staff, inadequate cleaning of rooms and bathrooms, moldy odors, and under-supplied inventories. One account paints a particularly grim picture of keeping a patient comfortable and safe when basic supplies and attention are lacking, praising a few therapists but condemning the broader staff as uninterested in patients' welfare. The frequent references to long hold times on the phone, missed or insufficient responses to family inquiries, and a general sense of being kept in the dark contribute to a climate of frustration and distrust. The numerical rating of 3 out of 10 is echoed by others who echo similar sentiments about communication gaps and staff disengagement.

Internal management and professional relationships emerge as another recurring point of contention. A review notes a stark dichotomy: aside from some rude staff who interact with patients in ways reminiscent of nursing, the director, assistant director, and nursing director are described with strong negative language, suggesting a culture where leadership behavior affects the quality of daily care. The tone in several posts indicates not only dissatisfaction with day-to-day care, but also a broader concern about organizational integrity and accountability. In one striking entry, the Department of Health has been notified about ongoing problems, yet the response is described as limited, leaving a sense of being unheard or dismissed. Verbal abuse in the shared rooms and the sense of fear it creates for residents highlight a troubling environment that families say is dangerous and unacceptable.

The final, emphatic warnings weave through many of these accounts: if you care about your family or friends, you might want to reconsider placing loved ones at Bannister. The most urgent appeals urge families to seek alternatives due to repeated claims of impaired care, missing or mismanaged medications, poor accountability, and a culture of staff who seem more focused on the paycheck than on patients. Some reviewers sentimentalize the facility as "family oriented" in isolated lines, yet this sentiment is quickly undercut by repeated, specific accusations of theft, abuse, neglect, and administrative deceit. The overarching message from these voices is a call for caution, demanding independent review, closer oversight, and a renewed commitment to patient safety, dignity, and honest communication.

This part of Providence, Rhode Island, offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to both convenience and leisure. With multiple dining options such as McDonald's, Ogie's Trailer Park, and Nick's on Broadway, seniors can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences. There are also cafes like White Electric Coffee and The Nitro Bar for those looking for a cozy spot to relax or socialize. For healthcare needs, there are several physicians' offices nearby, including Open Door Health and University Foot Care. In terms of recreation, residents can explore parks like India Point Park and Roger Williams National Monument. Additionally, proximity to the Providence Place Showcase IMAX Theaters and transportation hub at Providence Station allows for easy access to entertainment options and travel opportunities. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded living environment suitable for senior individuals seeking a vibrant community with convenient amenities.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Ogie's Trailer Park (0.3 miles)
• Moniker Brewery (0.3 miles)
• Bayberry Beer Hall (0.4 miles)
• Julian's (0.5 miles)
• Seven Stars Bakery (0.5 miles)
• Nick's on Broadway (0.6 miles)

Physicians

• Open Door Health (0.2 miles)
• University Foot Care (0.8 miles)
• The LASIK Vision Institute (0.8 miles)
• University Surgical Associates - Roth, Leslie A, MD (1 miles)
• Olneyville Health Center (1.5 miles)
• Findley John K MD - Roger Williams Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Malik Amer Dr New University Medical Group Providence (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• White Electric Coffee (0.4 miles)
• The Nitro Bar (0.5 miles)
• Bolt Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Seven Stars Bakery (0.9 miles)
• New Harvest Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Daves Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Bolt Coffee (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Lifespan Pharmacy-Corliss St (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Women and Infants Laboratory (0.7 miles)
• Hasbro Children's Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Providence VA Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Miriam Hospital - Infection, Disease, & Immunology Center (2.9 miles)

Parks

• India Point Park (0.8 miles)
• Roger Williams National Monument (1.4 miles)
• Gano Park (1.9 miles)
• Bold Point Park (2 miles)
• Roger Williams Park (2.3 miles)
• Waterman St Dog Park (2.4 miles)
• Blackstone Boulevard (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Providence Place Showcase IMAX Theaters (1 miles)

Transportation

• Providence Station - MBTA & Amtrak (PVD) (1.2 miles)