Sweetwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Pros

• Alexis in admissions is awesome.
• The physical and occupational rehab therapists received 5 stars.
• The day shift nurses are outstanding.
• The staff, including the social workers and therapists, are among the best.
• They took excellent care of my mother; couldn't have asked for a better place.
• They treated her like a princess.
• She was always clean and well fed.
• They showed her so much love that she wanted to stay there.
• This is a clean facility.

Cons

• This place needs to be shut down.
• They never ordered the right supplies for the illostomy bag, and the bag would always bust.
• They would never come in and empty it.
• They told her to place a towel over it and she would wait for hours before someone would help change it.
• One of the nurses got up in her face and screamed at her.
• They wouldn't come to help her pee, telling her to pee in her diaper.
• This place is nasty; they don't clean the rooms.
• She fell and was not sent to the ER until well after 2:00 PM the following day, and her face was black.

Review

The collection of reviews about Sweetwater Nursing Center presents a broad and at times jarring portrait: some residents and families describe a facility capable of excellent rehab work and compassionate care, while others recount serious lapses in sanitation, responsiveness, and patient safety. Taken together, the messages reveal a center that has seen management changes and staffing swings, with experiences that depend heavily on who is on duty, when, and in which part of the building.

A number of the most troubling accounts center on perceived neglect and unsanitary conditions. One reviewer recounted a troubling experience with an illostomy bag that was not properly supplied or managed: the bag would frequently fail, supplies were consistently out, and staff delays left the patient waiting for help to change or empty it. The situation escalated to the point where the patient was told to place a towel over the area and eat while feeling exposed and unclean, a scenario described as both disgusting and unsanitary. Allegations extended beyond ostomy care to general cleanliness and responsiveness: rooms not being cleaned as expected, bedpans or bathroom assistance not arriving promptly, and a culture in which at least one nurse's aggressive behavior was believed to influence others. The same reviewer highlighted a disturbing pattern of caregivers failing to respond to basic needs promptly, including being told to pee in a diaper rather than receive timely help, which in turn contributed to recurrent urinary infections.

Another set of experiences focuses on a frightening, potentially dangerous incident combined with questions about accountability and communication. A reviewer described a case where a family member fell, was not sent to the ER for many hours, and emerged with a severely bruised face described as black rather than purple. The family asked for explanations and even offered to provide photographs, pointing to concerns about how such events are handled and communicated to families. This account underscores ongoing anxieties about timely medical assessment, transparency in reporting, and the overall safety culture within the facility.

Yet not all feedback is uniformly negative. Several reviewers praised the rehab side of the operation, especially the physical and occupational therapists. In one discharge after about 30 days, the rehab professionals received top marks from the patient, with therapists rated 5 stars and CNAs 4 stars, even as nurses were similarly rated 4 stars. The patient acknowledged some issues with staffing continuity and medication management but still credited the therapy team with delivering meaningful progress. Similarly, another reviewer called out the social workers and therapists - specifically naming individuals and praising their support and responsiveness - while noting that the day-shift nursing staff tended to be more stable and knowledgeable than the night-shift teams, who sometimes arrived as contractors unfamiliar with the facility's routines.

The broader environment and governance of the center also color these experiences. A recurring sentiment is that the facility's quality seeming to correlate with organizational changes, most notably the transition to new management under an entity referred to as "The Waters." Several reviews describe a decline in coordination and communication after the takeover, including difficulty obtaining information about a loved one's condition and care plans, particularly during the COVID era when access and visitation were restricted. Yet even in those critiques, there are glimmers of appreciation for individuals who remained steadfast in their care approach, with some reviewers noting that directors and managers could be courteous and accommodating even if broader systemic issues persisted.

On the more positive side, there are numerous testimonies to kindness, attentiveness, and genuine care from specific staff members. Some patients describe being treated with particular warmth and generosity, with family members feeling that their loved ones were valued and well cared for. Names repeatedly cited in a favorable light include Alexis in admissions, who was described as "awesome" and helpful in navigating questions; and a cadre of caregivers - Diane, Carol, Jen, Tyrrell, and others - who were thanked for their dedication and for making necessary changes when needed. A few reviewers spoke of beloved moments where staff treated patients like family, helped them feel clean and well cared for, and made difficult days more bearable.

The reviews also reveal a spectrum of daily life within the building: crowded rooms and limited space for turning, especially during the early rehab days; noise from televisions and other residents, sometimes contributing to sleep disruption; and variability in meal quality and portion sizes, with some residents noting that kitchen staff were responsive to special requests even as the overall standard of meals could be inconsistent. Despite these challenges, several reviewers emphasized that when the right people were at work - caring CNAs, engaged therapists, and communicative social workers - the experience could be markedly positive, and some patients even described the facility as a place where their remaining days could be improved or their recovery advanced.

Overall, the reviews convey a facility with significant strengths in rehabilitation services and standout staff who bring compassion, expertise, and personal warmth to patient care. At the same time, they reveal troubling gaps in basic care practices, communication, and safety - issues that appear amplified during staffing transitions and high-demand periods. The alternating praise and criticism suggest that Sweetwater Nursing Center can be a place where recovery is possible and where residents feel treated with dignity, but it can also become a source of distress when staffing is inconsistent, supplies run short, and timely assistance fails to meet residents' essential needs. For families considering this facility, the takeaway seems to be to plan thorough tours, ask pointed questions about staffing on all shifts, review medication coordination and supply protocols, and seek out first-hand experiences from families with residents in the specific unit or program you're considering.

This part of Sweetwater, Tennessee, offers a convenient and accessible community for senior living. With several pharmacies located within a short distance, access to healthcare services is readily available. There are also a variety of cafes and restaurants nearby, providing options for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. In terms of medical facilities, there are hospitals and physicians' offices in close proximity, ensuring quality healthcare services for residents. Places of worship provide spiritual support and community engagement opportunities. Additionally, there are parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The availability of transportation options like U-Haul and Alamo can make running errands or traveling easier for seniors in this area. Overall, this part of Sweetwater offers a well-rounded environment with amenities that cater to the needs of older adults looking for a comfortable and convenient place to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Wil Sav Drugs (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Fred's Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Archers Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (8.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.4 miles)

Cafes

• Sweet And Salty Eatery (0.6 miles)
• Donna's Old Town Cafe (8 miles)
• Linda's Cafe (8.3 miles)
• Lem's Korner (9.6 miles)
• Country Side Cafe (12.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Bradley's Pit Barbecue & Grill (1.2 miles)
• Kokita (1.9 miles)
• Los Zacatecanos (2.2 miles)
• La Casa Vieja (2.2 miles)
• Dinner Bell (2.8 miles)
• R & J's BBQ (8 miles)
• Pizza Hut (8.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Sweetwater Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Sweetwater Hospital Association (1.8 miles)
• Daystar Counseling Center (11.8 miles)
• Athens Regional Medical Center (11.9 miles)

Physicians

• Sweetwater Family Medicine (1.8 miles)
• Hometown Medical Clinic (8.2 miles)
• Chota Community Health Services (8.4 miles)
• Chota Community Health Services (8.6 miles)
• Henry Veronica Cherokee Health Systems Clinic (10 miles)
• Medical Associates of Athens (11.7 miles)
• Starr Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (11.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Presbyterian Church (1.9 miles)
• Church Of The Nazarene (2.9 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (6.2 miles)
• Covenant Faith Christian Center (8.4 miles)
• Chestua Baptist Church (8.8 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (9.2 miles)
• New Hope Cumberland (9.2 miles)

Parks

• Houston Park (8.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.7 miles)
• Alamo (9.7 miles)