601 Dantzler Street, Saint Matthews, SC 29135
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Saint Matthews Health Care
Pros
Brandi is a star employee.- Mike, the nutritional staff, PTs, and a couple of nurses/CNAs are the good people to deal with.
- The food served is excellent and second to none.
- The Calhoun Convalescent Center was awesome.
- The rooms were clean and well kept.
- The activities director seemed enthusiastic and capable with the patients.
- The staff is very efficient and consistently cleans the facility.
- The tour guide was experienced and confident.
Cons
The administration is awful and only cares about herself.- There is a high turnover rate, with staff disappearing and residents not receiving proper care.
- The nursing staff is lazy and won’t lift a finger to assist; they spend time on cell phones or sleeping on duty.
- They lie to obtain residents’ money and do not answer the phone or provide information to families.
- Personal items get lost (quilts and nightgowns), and residents are showered only rarely.
- The food is lacking and served lukewarm, with portions often insufficient.
- The director of nursing is mean and cold, dismissing concerns and pressuring staff to work for free.
- The facility is understaffed and neglectful, with formal complaints going unresolved.
- It is hard to reach anyone by phone, as calls are repeatedly put on hold or ignored.
Review
This community is best suited for families that must balance cost with cautious care and are prepared to supervise day-to-day operations closely. In practice, Saint Matthews Health Care tends to attract residents whose families can stay actively involved, visit regularly, and relentlessly advocate for their loved ones. It is not a carefree selection for those who rely on consistent, high-touch nursing oversight or on a stable, well-staffed environment. The best-case scenario here hinges on clear family involvement, vigilant monitoring, and a willingness to navigate uneven service while searching for the one or two dependable staff members who consistently show up for residents.
Those who may want to consider alternatives are families seeking predictable staffing, strong administrative leadership, and a track record of reliable resident advocacy. If wound care, fall prevention, timely medication administration, and open, consistent communication with a dedicated nurse director are non-negotiables, this facility will likely fall short. Prospective residents with complex medical needs or significant mobility issues should compare other options where turnover is lower and leadership is more accessible. For families prioritizing warmth and consistent responsiveness, the current climate here raises legitimate doubts and warrants exploring other communities first.
The few bright spots do not erase the core concerns, but they do underline the uneven reality on the floor. A subset of staff members, notably some nurses, CNAs, and the nutritional team, are described as capable, caring, and genuinely engaged with residents. The food quality is repeatedly praised, with mentions of meals that are well prepared and flavorful, even if portions sometimes feel insufficient within budget constraints. Positive remarks about the activities director and a few well-regarded team members indicate that not everyone in the building has given up on resident well-being. These pockets of good care show what a well-run shift can look like, but they do not compensate for chronic understaffing, administrative disengagement, or the frequent turnover that disrupts continuity of care.
The main risk remains the systemic issues: persistent staffing gaps, reports of neglect or delayed responses to concerns, and a leadership tone that many families describe as dismissive or not fully accountable. Documentation of lost items, delays in communication, and benefits-related questions that feel deflected are repeated enough to be a red flag for anyone evaluating long-term placement. In practical terms, the pros, personal staff moments of excellence and decent meals, do not reliably offset the weight of the cons: inconsistent coverage, fragmented accountability, and a pattern of unresolved complaints that undermines trust. Families should not have to chase basic answers or worry about basic safety in a facility meant to protect vulnerable adults.
To navigate a potential placement here, visit with a plan. Observe how staff interact with residents during meals and activities, and note whether aides are consistently visible and responsive rather than siloed at the nursing station. Request to review recent incident reports, wound-care notes, and a back-of-house tour to gauge cleanliness, supply levels, and the pace of the daily routine. Ask for the direct contact details of the Director of Nursing and schedule a time to meet, not just speak by phone, so concerns can be voiced and tracked. Inquire about staff turnover rates, orientation practices, and how schedules are managed to prevent gaps in critical care tasks. Finally, compare a few neighboring facilities’ reputations, menus, and activity calendars to determine which environment aligns with a resident’s needs and a family’s capacity to oversee care.
The verdict is pragmatic: Saint Matthews Health Care can work for families who are prepared to invest time, attention, and constant oversight to mitigate its weaknesses. For most others, especially those requiring dependable day-to-day nursing responsiveness and a leadership team that consistently follows through, stronger alternatives deserve serious consideration. The decision should hinge on how much value is placed on reliable staffing, transparent communication, and a proven track record of compassionate, continuous care. In the pricing-and-care balance, this community leans toward the riskier side unless a family is ready to devote substantial hands-on management and frequent provider comparisons to ensure safety and dignity for their loved one.
120 resident community capacity
Skilled Nursing Facility
Air-conditioning
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Community operated transportation
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
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