South Place Nursing Ctr in Athens, TX

Pros

• Elizabeth is amazing at helping families and patients navigate their post-acute journey.
• Jacque and the team are exceptional clinically.
• The staff are kind to families and patients, and the mom is very well cared for.
• The staff provide loving service and take great care of loved ones.
• The facility smells pleasant and the staff are kind.
• The staff are wonderful and caring; Misty is praised for helping mom get Medicaid approved.
• The staff really cares about their patients and keeps families informed.
• The facility is clean and residents are happy; the aides are wonderful.
• Doug, the weekend staff member, is incredibly nice to residents.
• Therapy has been described as awesome and admissions made easy by Rachel, Elizabeth, and Brad.
• South Place's quality measures are 5 stars.

Cons

• The staff waited six days after a stroke before calling an ambulance, which was alarming.
• The facility was described as awful and disgusting and not suitable for loved ones.
• There was only one skilled staff member for 10?15 memory care residents, indicating severe understaffing.
• There was a pervasive smell of urine and the facility was filthy.
• The heating system failed because the thermostat was stuck in program mode, leaving residents cold.
• Residents were ignored and left sitting in front of a television with no meaningful activities.
• There were medication errors, including forgetting to administer meds and giving overdoses.

Review

South Place Nursing Center in Athens, TX is best suited for families pursuing a post-acute rehab path where aggressive therapy, visible caregiver investment, and a homey, personable atmosphere can drive meaningful recovery. The facility has earned a strong reputation for hands-on support during recovery from procedures, strokes, or significant injuries, with families frequently highlighting attentive therapists, clear communication, and staff who treat residents like people rather than numbers. For families who want to see tangible progress in their loved one's mobility and independence, and who are prepared to participate actively in care planning, South Place offers a practical, well-structured rehab option with approachable, involved frontline teams.

Those weighing alternatives should be mindful of two realities surfaced by the reviews. For residents with significant memory care needs, the unit design and staffing patterns raise red flags about safety and consistent engagement. Several accounts describe understaffed periods, delays in response to alarms, and what amounts to limited, low-stimulation programming for dementia care. Cleanliness and odor issues also recur in multiple reports, along with serious warnings about med administration and overall safety. Families who cannot or prefer not to supervise care closely, or who prioritize pristine infection-control and near-flawless daily operations, should look at other options or demand concrete assurances about staffing, training, and housekeeping before committing.

On the upside, the strongest pros cluster around the quality of rehab and the interpersonal strengths of the team. Families repeatedly praise therapists, nurses, and aides who show genuine care and consistency, and they credit the rehab process with tangible improvements. The admissions and transition process is often described as smooth when led by empathetic staff such as Elizabeth and Misty, who navigate insurance, Medicaid approvals, and complex care planning with determination. The social work and activity teams contribute to a warm, engaging atmosphere, with residents benefiting from regular programming and a layout that feels more like a community than a sterile hospital setting. These fibers of care can make a real difference in outcomes and daily mood for many residents.

Yet the cons carry weight, especially for long-term or memory-care residents. The most persistent concerns include odors and cleanliness lapses, occasional lapses in medication management, and reports of inconsistent response times to calls or alarms. Some reviews recount harrowing experiences - delays in recognizing medical crises, alleged mismanagement, or even unsafe conditions - that cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. Weekend staffing appears thinner at times, which can magnify risk for residents who rely on prompt, 24/7 attention. The physical plant has also shown wear in places, with mentions of outdated fixtures and rooms that feel chilly or not fully updated, underscoring a gap between the rehab energy and the broader environment.

Weighing the positives against the negatives yields a practical decision framework. For families whose priority is rapid, gains-oriented rehab in a setting where caregivers openly collaborate with families, and where staff members frequently go the extra mile, South Place can be a strong match - provided a proactive care plan is in place and monitoring is ongoing. The same strengths that fuel successful recoveries - clear communication, hands-on staff, and a culture of compassion - will be undermined if cleanliness, safety, or consistent med management cannot be guaranteed. In other words, the rehab advantage can offset many concerns if accountability is maintained, but the facility's safety and housekeeping risks demand vigilance and formal assurances.

Bottom-line guidance: South Place is a solid option for families prioritizing post-acute rehab and a warm, engaged caregiving culture, especially when there is active family involvement and a clear plan with the rehab team. However, for those whose loved one requires comprehensive memory-care stability, spotless environment, or ironclad daily safety controls, alternatives should be explored or at least pursued in parallel. Prospective families should schedule visits at different times to observe staffing, speak directly with the therapy and nursing teams, and demand a detailed, written plan addressing medication processes, incident reporting, and housekeeping standards. If strong rehab outcomes and a personal touch are non-negotiable, South Place deserves serious consideration; if risk to safety or cleanliness is non-negotiable, search elsewhere with urgency.

This part of Athens, Texas boasts a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several physician offices nearby, including dermatology, pathology labs, and surgical associates, residents have access to quality healthcare options without having to travel far. Additionally, there are multiple places of worship in the vicinity for those who value spiritual community involvement. The area also features several parks where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and socialize with neighbors. Various pharmacies are easily accessible for medication needs, while a selection of restaurants and cafes offer dining options for every preference. For transportation needs, rental car services are available within a short distance, providing seniors with flexibility and convenience when traveling around the area.

Physicians

• Eastern Texas Pathology Labs (0.1 miles)
• Dermatology Associates-Tyler (0.1 miles)
• Athens Surgical Associates (0.2 miles)
• Medical Arts Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Athens Women's Health Center (0.2 miles)
• Athens Cancer Center (0.2 miles)
• Athens Ear Nose Throat & Allergy Center (0.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Church (0.2 miles)
• Cayuga Drive Baptist Church (1.1 miles)
• Primera Iglesia Bautista (1.1 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1.2 miles)
• Church of God (1.5 miles)
• Eastern Hills Church of Christ (2 miles)
• East Teen Hills (2 miles)

Parks

• Cain Center Park and Pond (0.8 miles)
• Kiwanis Park (1.7 miles)
• Christmas Park Land of Lights (2.4 miles)
• Etabs Inc. (3.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Gibson Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Anderson's Family Drug Center (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Brookshire's Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Brookshire's (2.3 miles)
• Brookshire Food & Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Krispy Krunchy Chicken (1.8 miles)
• Cherry Laurel Cake Shoppe (1.9 miles)
• Mooyah (2.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.1 miles)
• Mazzio's Italian Eatery (2.1 miles)
• Braum's (2.2 miles)
• Trace of Texas Restaurant (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Top Fuel Vapors (2.1 miles)
• Railway Cafe (2.2 miles)
• Flamingo Hawaiian Barbecue & Coffee (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.2 miles)
• Alamo (2.2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.3 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (2.6 miles)
• U-Haul (10.8 miles)