Golden LivingCenter-Charlottesville

Pros

• Cedars Health Care Center is described as having significant improvements in the building, staff, activities, and physical therapy.
• The staff are professional, proactive, compassionate, and dedicated to residents' well-being.
• The center offers a welcoming, family-like atmosphere where residents form meaningful connections.
• The new administrator John and DON Veda are credited with turning the facility around.
• The rehabilitation and physical therapy teams are praised for delivering high-quality care that enables independence.
• Families commend the center for good meals and responsive, caring staff.
• Activities such as music, outdoor services, and game nights create engaging experiences for residents.
• The staff and administration are lauded for excellent communication and teamwork.
• Cedars is noted for prioritizing safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Staff members are described as going above and beyond to meet residents' needs.
• Numerous reviews express gratitude and positive recommendations for Cedars.
• Residents are treated with respect and kindness, with care individualized to each person.

Cons

• They described the facility as a run-down Medicaid facility - basically a homeless shelter with drug users and psychiatric patients, calling it "the lowest of the low."
• They said they would give zero stars and warned that loved ones would suffer, claiming staff were unprofessional and that people were seen under the influence.
• They claimed the ceiling was falling apart and that there were unlicensed CNAs.
• They noted the second front desk staff member was not friendly and that housekeeping hadn't been there in days, with a room that looked horrible.
• They reported a man sitting unattended in the driveway for hours in near-freezing temperatures.
• They described the director as an old gentleman who doesn't know half of what's going on in his own building.
• They stated the facility was a homeless shelter/rehab and warned to enter at your own risk.
• They claimed the kitchen staff don't pay attention to meal prep and fail to meet residents' dietary needs.
• They said the day shift was awful, with staff being rude to visitors and sometimes claiming no paperwork for visits.

Review

Cedars Health Care Center has become a focal point for strong praise from many families, while a few voices recall troubling memories of the past. Across the board, those who speak positively describe a facility that has transformed in recent years thanks to leadership changes, a renewed sense of teamwork, and a renewed commitment to meaningful activities, rehabilitation, and personal care. Many reviews begin with a clear message: the building and the atmosphere have improved, staff members are more professional and engaged, and residents are treated with genuine warmth and respect. "Best center in town now! So many great changes done," one reviewer exclaims, reflecting a sentiment echoed by numerous families who say the changes are tangible in daily life.

A central thread in the uplifting feedback centers on leadership and staff. Several reviewers highlight the impact of new leadership, noting that the Administrator, John, has instituted "remarkable changes" that have helped the facility move beyond its past struggles. Families also repeatedly thank Vada Holcomb, the Director of Nursing, for her warmth, hospitality, and dedication to resident care. Other names pop up in glowing terms - nursing staff and therapy team members who have built trust with families, showing patience, clear communication, and a willingness to partner with families to support the resident's recovery. The sense that the team now works as a cohesive unit - "teamwork and good communication, mentoring and patient care" - is a common theme, with many reviewers expressing deep appreciation for those who care for their loved ones.

The rehabilitation and therapy programs are a core source of pride for many families. Several reviews credit Cedars with delivering high-quality physical therapy that translated into real, measurable gains for residents - some even returning home to live independently after a period of rehab. Comments about the therapy staff emphasize professionalism, expertise, and genuine encouragement. Beyond therapy, reviewers note that the center's activities have become more engaging and life-affirming: music outside weekly, religious services on Fridays, and a variety of activities and game nights create opportunities for residents to connect with each other. Families repeatedly mention that their loved ones are treated with respect, kindness, and personal attention, which helps build a sense of belonging and safety.

People also describe a broader positive shift in the overall environment. The physical plant is frequently described as looking better, and the facility is portrayed as a place where residents feel welcome and valued - "the vibe is so much more welcoming now," and "the residents are freely walking around and greet you when you're there." The sense of community is underscored by stories of respectful interactions, a culture of care, and a focus on treating residents like family. For some reviewers, Cedars has become a place where families feel reassured that their loved ones are not just receiving medical care but are being nurtured as human beings. The combination of improved surroundings, a proactive staff, and an emphasis on connection underpins these positive assessments.

Not all experiences align with the sunny narratives, however. A subset of reviews portrays Cedars in a much less favorable light, often referring to the facility as a home with serious ongoing concerns. Phrases like "a homeless shelter/ rehab," "a run-down Medicaid facility," and "the lowest of the low" capture some readers' impressions of conditions they witnessed or heard about in the past or in different moments of the center's history. Several comments describe unhelpful or unfriendly front-desk interactions, rooms that appeared unacceptable, and maintenance issues such as parts of the ceiling in disrepair. There are also troubling mentions of medication or care concerns - claims about unlicensed CNAs, mismatches between meal preparation and dietary needs, and incidents that raise questions about safety. One reviewer even recounts a frightening personal experience of a resident wandering into a driveway, unmonitored, which prompted concerns about security and oversight.

The spectrum widens with other accounts that focus on the dangers of drawing a broad conclusion from a single experience. Some reviewers recount how good things can be for one resident and not for another, or how experiences appear to swing between shifts or days. There are also powerful testimonials about the commitment and care that individual staff members showed, even as some louder negative accounts persist in public review space. In a few narratives, families who had highly positive outcomes for loved ones note that improvement has continued, while others insist more work remains to be done. One reviewer who worked through their concerns to confirm positive changes still urges prospective families to visit, observe, and talk to staff to gauge whether the current climate aligns with their expectations.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a facility in transition. For many families, Cedars represents a hopeful transformation - strong leadership, a more professional and compassionate staff, effective rehabilitation, and a warmer, more engaging environment. For others, lingering concerns about safety, consistency, or past conditions color their perception and lead to cautionary notes about what to expect. The recurring thread is that Cedars has made notable strides in reorganizing care, building morale, and offering meaningful activity and therapy, while some voices remind readers that experiences can be uneven and that ongoing vigilance, personal inspection, and direct conversation with current staff are important. In any case, the responses paint a facility that has grown more attentive to residents' physical, emotional, and social needs, with a clear intent to build a community where residents feel cared for, respected, and connected to their families.

Restaurants

• Peter Chang's China Grill (0.1 miles)
• Cook Out (0.2 miles)
• Zaxby's (0.2 miles)
• Bodo's Bagels (0.2 miles)
• Arby's (0.3 miles)
• El Puerto (0.4 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kroger Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Octapharma Plasma (0.8 miles)
• Lewis & Clark Pharmaceuticals (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Timberlakes Drug Store (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Kung Fu Tea (1.7 miles)
• Mudhouse (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Stonefield & IMAX (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Professional Optical Service Incorporated (0.7 miles)
• UVA Colonnades Medical Associates (0.8 miles)
• American Board of Urology (1.2 miles)
• Albemarle Center for Family Medicine (1.3 miles)
• Occupational Health Strategies (1.5 miles)
• Charlottesville Wellness Center Family Practice (1.5 miles)
• Eye Clinic (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center (1.4 miles)
• Rector & Visitors of The University of Virginia (1.4 miles)
• University Hospital (1.7 miles)
• UVA Hospital 4 Central (1.7 miles)
• University of Virginia Health System : Infectious Diseases Clinic (1.8 miles)
• UVA 3 Central (1.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul's Memorial Church (1.4 miles)
• University Baptist Church (1.6 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Tonsler Park (2.2 miles)