Good Samaritan Society-Luther Manor

Pros

• The staff are described as wonderful and providing great care.
• The Luther Manor team created a family atmosphere that included residents and their families.
• Reviewers would recommend the facility based on the care received.
• The administration is described as very caring.
• Families express gratitude for the staff's dedication and the comfort and happiness of their loved ones.

Cons

• Luther Manor is described as a hell hole where post-operative rehabilitation patients couldn't rest.
• Residents' TVs staying loud after 10 pm and night nurses doing little about it created constant disturbance.
• Insurance issues prevented timely rest and healing, with early awakenings to start the day.
• Food was often late and cold, and nurses were slow to respond to the call button.
• A bathroom emergency could take 20 minutes for a nurse to arrive.
• The facility has a long way to go to be good, with food and care described as atrocious.
• Jewelry went missing after a relative passed away and a wrong walker was returned.
• The facility is described as lacking Christian values.

Review

Luther Manor presents itself as a place where care and compassion can shine, but the experiences people have there vary dramatically. On one hand, there are glowing testimonials about attentive staff, a warm, family-like atmosphere, and a sense that the facility truly supports both patients and their families. On the other hand, several reviewers describe a very different reality - one punctuated by sleep disruption, delayed responses, and concerns about basic comfort and safety. Taken together, the comments reveal a complex picture: a facility that can deliver meaningful, people-centered care, yet struggles with operational issues that can erode the patient and family experience.

For many, Luther Manor has been a source of strong, positive care. One reviewer who underwent post-surgical rehab praised the care and the wonderful staff, saying they would recommend the facility to others. Another account highlights excellent care from a dedicated team, underscoring a level of professionalism and attentiveness that left a lasting impression. A recurring theme in the positive notes is a sense of gratitude for the people who work there, with phrases like "great care," "wonderful staff," and "very caring administration." The praise is not limited to direct care; some reviewers emphasize the emotional and logistical support provided by the administrative side, describing a genuine willingness to answer questions and help families navigate difficult transitions.

Family experiences add depth to the overall impression of Luther Manor. One reviewer shared that their mother spent the last three and a half years of her life there and that the staff were consistently there for both mother and family, answering questions and taking steps to keep her comfortable and happy. That account paints a picture of a facility that can function as a compassionate, community-centered environment - a place that cultivates a familial atmosphere and makes families feel included in the care process. The sense of belonging and support is echoed by another positive remark about a "caring administration," suggesting that, for many residents and relatives, the leadership and staff are aligned in providing respectful and attentive care.

Despite these positives, several reviews flag serious shortcomings that can make Luther Manor feel like a "hell hole" to some residents. One account describing post-operative rehab emphasizes significant sleep disruption: loud televisions from other residents after 10 pm, insufficient quiet time for rest, and early wake-ups for the day. The same review notes delayed and cold meals, slow responses to call buttons, and even a troubling anecdote about a bathroom emergency taking as long as 20 minutes to receive assistance. The writer acknowledges staffing challenges but insists that the quality of life and healing process depend on timely, reliable care, especially during recovery.

Other negative experiences touch on safety and accountability. A reviewer mentioned that a grandmother's jewelry was missing after her passing, and a walker was returned in error, hinting at concerns about safeguarding and equipment handling. Another strong critique centers on a perceived misalignment between the facility's stated Christian branding and the lived reality, with the comment that there is nothing Christian about it and that if a cross exists, it should be tossed. Taken together, these points suggest questions about trust, consistency, and the extent to which religious or ethical branding translates into everyday practice.

Systemic concerns also surface in the discourse about staffing and patient experience. Some reviewers acknowledge the reality of short-staffing but insist that it should not excuse delays that directly affect patient comfort and safety. The contrast between praise for staff dedication and criticism about slow nurse responses or subpar meal service points to a tension many long-term care facilities face: when resources are stretched, it can be hard to maintain consistently high levels of service across all shifts and all residents. The mixed feedback implies that Luther Manor may offer outstanding individual relationships and compassionate care in some moments while struggling with nighttime operations and day-to-day logistics in others.

In sum, Luther Manor emerges as a place of dual realities. For some residents and their families, it is a haven of genuine care, a place where staff feel like part of a family and where administrations go the extra mile to answer questions and ensure comfort. For others, it is a setting where noise, delays, and questions of safeguarding and brand-perceived values create a sense of frustration and distrust. The common threads across reviews point to a core need: consistent, reliable operations that preserve rest, ensure prompt assistance, maintain food quality, safeguard belongings, and uphold the promises of a compassionate, faith-aligned environment. As the facility continues to evolve, addressing these operational gaps could help bridge the gap between the strongest praise and the most pointed criticisms, creating a more uniformly positive experience for all who come through its doors.

This part of Sioux Falls, South Dakota offers a variety of amenities that could make it a desirable location for senior living. Close proximity to a range of dining options such as Qdoba Mexican Eats, Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet, and The Original Pancake House provide convenient and delicious meal choices. Additionally, access to pharmacies like Lewis Drug Stores and Walgreens can ensure easy access to necessary medications. For healthcare needs, there are several physician offices nearby including Dakota Hearing Instruments and Sanford Health Behavioral Health Clinic. Nearby parks such as Yankton Trails Park and Sertoma Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The area also has convenient transportation options with the SAM Southwest Transfer Center nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of conveniences and recreational opportunities that could be appealing for seniors looking for a comfortable living environment in Sioux Falls.

Restaurants

• Qdoba Mexican Eats (0.3 miles)
• Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (0.3 miles)
• Inca Mexican Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Taphouse 41 (0.6 miles)
• The Original Pancake House (0.8 miles)
• Sertoma Butterfly House (1.3 miles)
• Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• All Day Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.9 miles)
• Daily Clean Food and Drink (2.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Lewis Drug Stores (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Avera McKennan Campus Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Avera Pharmacy - Sioux Falls - Cliff Avenue (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Dakota Hearing Instruments (0.8 miles)
• Midwest Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic (0.8 miles)
• North Central Urology (1.1 miles)
• Sanford Health Behavioral Health Clinic (1.1 miles)
• Plastic Surgery Associates Of South Dakota (1.1 miles)
• Sanford Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Clinic (1.1 miles)
• Sanford Medical Building 3 (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Children's Care Hospital & School (0.9 miles)

Parks

• Yankton Trails Park (1 miles)
• Sertoma Park (1.1 miles)
• McKennan Park (1.4 miles)
• Lyon Park (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• SAM Southwest Transfer Center (1.6 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theatres (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Reformed Church (2 miles)