Bender Terrace in Lubbock, TX

Pros

• Ruth, the administrator for Bender Terrace, is a wonderful and caring person for the residents, the staff, and the families represented.
• The staff at Bender Terrace genuinely cares about their residents.
• The nurses and aides as well as all the office staff are very friendly and welcoming.
• The facility is clean.
• It is in a good area in Lubbock, well maintained and quiet.
• Bender Terrace is a delightful place.
• The place is very well lit.
• They have a lot of activities for the people.
• Ruth listens with compassion and leads with competency.
• The staff seek to follow her example and show love and care for the residents.

Cons

• The floors are the nastiest the reviewer has ever seen in a nursing home, with residents living in filth.
• Upon entry, the facility is described as beyond unacceptable, with a visitor having to clean a resident's room.
• The place is a joke.
• Debris and trash are visible as soon as one walks in, and roaches come out in the restroom by evening; the staff apparently neglectful.
• The facility is horrible and residents are neglected, with some patients even trying to escape.
• The administrator seems to think only of herself, not the staff or residents.
• Beds are falling apart and there are never enough helpers; abuse by a nurse's aide is alleged.
• The neglect is unbelievable and there are calls for state involvement or shutdown.
• There are reports of bruises, cuts, and poor hygiene on a resident, with multiple incidents noted.
• A grandmother's toilet was found filled with feces; extremely unsanitary and disgusting.
• The building smelled horrible and the food was bad.
• A patient was kept in a 49-degree room with no way to adjust the thermostat on weekends, and the nurse was hostile.

Review

Bender Terrace is best suited for families seeking a budget-conscious option in Lubbock where an engaged administrator and active social programming can translate into real daily support for residents who don't require high-end amenities. It can work for memory care or short rehab stays when the priority is consistency of staff, regular activities, transportation, and a sense of community. The facility tends to reward advocates who stay involved and push for clear care plans, rapid communication, and prompt attention to issues. Those who need rigorous, spotless hygiene, strict safety protocols, and uniform quality across every shift may want to consider other options.

On the plus side, the strongest and most consistent praise centers on administration and frontline staff who genuinely care. Families report leaders who listen, communicate, and try to balance competing needs, with Ruth singled out repeatedly for compassionate, competent leadership. The nursing team and CNAs are described as welcoming and attentive when the facility is operating smoothly, and residents often appear well-kept, clean, and engaged during visits. The building's strengths extend to practical, value-added services: transportation, housekeeping or meals included in some plans, and a calendar of activities that helps residents feel connected rather than isolated. For families prioritizing real-time problem solving and a personal point of contact, these elements carry tangible weight.

Yet the experience in Bender Terrace is not uniform, and the most troubling patterns are hard to overlook. A sizable portion of reviews describe unsanitary conditions: dirty rooms, debris in the hall, and even roaches noted in facilities that should be controlled. Reports of neglect or inadequate bathing, injuries, and a sense that some staff are overwhelmed or disengaged are repeated in multiple accounts. There are also alarming anecdotes about abuse, tempers, and inconsistent care that appear to stem from staffing gaps or turnover. The building itself is described as old and not fancy; in some cases, residents are left in environments that feel neglected, which sharply clashes with the better days highlighted by other families.

These opposing experiences shape how the pros balance the cons. When strong leadership is present and staff prove reliable, the care can be warm, the routines predictable, and families can feel confident about day-to-day oversight. The social programming and transportation add practical value for seniors who want to maintain independence while receiving help with meals, hygiene, and activities. However, the frequency and intensity of negative reports, including serious hygiene and safety concerns, mean the positive aspects rarely neutralize the risk for residents with high medical needs or those who require meticulous, consistent staffing around the clock. The uncertainty isn't trivial: a resident could do well for weeks and then encounter a troubling shift.

For families actively evaluating options, the recommended approach with Bender Terrace is deliberately thorough. Plan multiple on-site visits at different times to observe cleanliness, staff interactions, and how issues are handled in real time. Speak with the administrator and a few frontline staff about care plans, response times, and how grievances are addressed. Request recent state or licensing inspection results, ask to review incident logs, and demand a tour of the memory care or rehab areas to gauge safety and supervision. Talk to several residents and families about their ongoing experiences, especially concerning bathing, toileting, and meal quality. Have a clear sense of what constitutes an acceptable level of cleanliness and safety before making a commitment.

In the end, Bender Terrace offers a pragmatic option for families who value an active administrator-led environment, accessible transportation, and social programming within a modest budget. It is not the default choice for risk-averse families or those who cannot tolerate significant variability in care quality. If considering this community, approach with a plan: verify current hygiene standards, ensure robust oversight mechanisms, and insist on consistent staffing patterns. For others, especially those prioritizing flawless cleanliness and unwavering safety, alternatives with steadier track records may be more appropriate, even if they come with higher costs or fewer daily conveniences.

This part of Lubbock, Texas, offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With a variety of physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and places of worship within close proximity, residents have easy access to essential services. The area also features a diverse selection of restaurants catering to different tastes, as well as parks for recreational activities and cafes for social gatherings. Additionally, the presence of a theater provides entertainment options for those looking to stay engaged in the community. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with amenities that cater to the needs and interests of older adults.

Physicians

• Grace Surgery Center (0.1 miles)
• Dr R. Wolcott Office (0.4 miles)
• Roger James Wolcott (0.4 miles)
• Skinner Derek, MD (0.5 miles)
• Catherine Ann Ronaghan (0.5 miles)
• Covenant Medical Group Dalton's Office (0.5 miles)
• Orthopedic Center (0.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Covenant Pediatric Occupational Therapy (0.5 miles)
• Covenant Women's and Children's (0.5 miles)
• Covenant Behavioral Health Service (0.6 miles)
• Covenant Specialty Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Covenant Children's Hospital (1 miles)
• Covenant Children's Emergency Room (1 miles)
• Umc Health System (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Highland Baptist Church (0.5 miles)
• Catholic Diocese of Lubbock (1.5 miles)
• Fresh Fire Fellowship (2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Arandas Taqueria (0.8 miles)
• Picantes (0.8 miles)
• Thai Pepper (1 miles)
• Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe (1.3 miles)
• Caprock Cafe (1.3 miles)
• Taco Villa (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Southwest Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Clark's Hub City Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Twin Oaks Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• United Supermarkets Pharmacy (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Tech Terrace Park (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• J & B Coffee Co. (1.9 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Lubbock (2 miles)