St John's Nursing Home

Pros

• The staff at the Summit are amazing.
• The care and attention they show their clients is nothing short of amazing.
• If a loved one needs rehab care, this facility is the only one in the area with this level of caring and compassionate care.
• The facility is clean and sanitary, and all staff are friendly.
• Each member of the team goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being and comfort of their residents.
• The onboarding team made the transition smooth and stress-free, addressing questions with patience and thoroughness.
• The front desk staff, along with the nurses, were friendly and very professional.

Cons

• A reviewer alleged that a DNR bracelet was placed on her mother without authorization and later removed only after confirming no DNR on file, describing it as a serious error.
• A reviewer described staff using insensitive language about elderly patients, including a CNA joking "how cuckoo old people are" and telling a patient to go to the bathroom themselves.
• A reviewer warned that falls, neglect, and abuse by staff are under investigation and accused management of laziness and sugar-coating problems.
• A reviewer stated that staff were awful, arguing in the hallways, leaving patients in beds for hours, and verbally abusing patients.
• A reviewer reported a patient sitting in feces for six hours with repeated delays in care.
• A reviewer claimed daily mistakes are made, staff are overworked and underpaid, and the facility may lose licensure and accreditation.
• A reviewer urged others to avoid the facility at all costs.
• A reviewer described discharge paperwork not being sent, leaving the patient without in-home care.

Review

The collection of reviews about Summit Health and Rehabilitation Center paints a picture of a facility that elicits a wide spectrum of experiences from families and visitors. On the positive side, many people arrive with a sense of relief and reassurance, describing the staff as attentive, friendly, and deeply caring. Grandparents, parents, and spouses are frequently described as being well looked after, with the nursing and front-desk teams earning praise for their professionalism and compassion. Several reviewers emphasize the comforting atmosphere and the peace of mind that comes from knowing a loved one is in capable hands. One visitor notes the overall warmth of the environment, highlighting how the staff's demeanor and the facility's ambiance contribute to a reassuring experience for families during a challenging time.

A number of reviews foreground specific staff members and departments who helped make the experience notably positive. Families frequently call out the onboarding process as smooth and supportive, with particular appreciation for those who guided them through admission and transition. Names like Wanda Romero and Tammy Noble appear in praise for their helpfulness during the transition, while Delisa Rogers receives thanks for leadership and for fostering a caring environment. On the floor labeled "Town Center" the nursing team is described as attentive and kind, and the rehabilitation unit is commended for its effectiveness. Therapists and aides receive frequent commendations for their dedication, with individual caregivers and therapists named for going above and beyond to help residents meet goals, participate in meaningful activities, and feel respected and included. Several reviews specifically mention clean facilities, well-maintained spaces, and a general sense of professionalism that helps families feel confident in the care being provided.

The positive experiences extend beyond routine care to include strong collaborations among departments. Reviewers cite how the admission team and nursing staff coordinate well, ensuring that residents receive timely therapy and adaptive equipment as needed. The rehabilitation therapy is repeatedly described as competent and goal-oriented, with patients or their family members expressing gratitude for progress and the encouragement that comes from therapists and nurses who communicate clearly and set achievable targets. In these accounts, the care feels cohesive and integrated, with families recognizing that the Summit center treats both the medical and emotional needs of residents, fostering trust and ongoing engagement between families and care teams.

However, alongside these affirmations are several serious concerns raised by a subset of reviewers. One incident describes the unexpected placement of a DNR bracelet on a patient who never consented to such an order, followed by verification that no DNR was on file and the bracelet being removed. This episode is presented as a near-miss that underscores questions about protocol and double-checking records before applying any alert accessories. Relatedly, there are criticisms of communication and sensitivity in staff language. A reviewer recounts overhearing a CNA making dismissive remarks about elderly patients and UTIs, and another notes being told to manage personal needs without assistance, which raises concerns about respect and dignity in patient care. These reports emphasize the need for consistent staff training around patient-centered language and appropriate bedside communication.

Additional complaints describe broader safety and operational concerns. Several reviews allege neglect and unsafe conditions, including claims that residents fall through the cracks when it comes to daily care, with scenes of patients left waiting, improper hygiene practices, or inadequate assistance with basic needs. There are also vivid accounts of systemic issues, such as a front desk that is unresponsive to inquiries and discharge paperwork that remains incomplete or delayed, causing frustration for families trying to coordinate home care. One account even references a period when a patient sat in feces for hours, further stirring concerns about attention to comfort, dignity, and timely intervention. In some posts, reviewers express fear about the possibility of licensure and accreditation problems if these patterns persist, while others acknowledge variations in staffing and workload that may contribute to inconsistent experiences.

Yet the narrative is not uniformly negative. Several reviewers reaffirm their strong appreciation for certain aspects of Summit's care, describing consistent, high-quality interactions with staff on particular days or in specific units. Some families report that despite broader concerns, individual nurses, aides, and therapists stood out for their empathy and professionalism, helping residents feel valued and supported. A few testimonials mention sustained, positive impressions of care teams and even specific staff members who made meaningful differences in residents' daily lives. The gratitude expressed by these families often centers on personal anecdotes - watches for a loved one's routine, moments of reassurance during therapy sessions, or praise for particular frontline staff who seemed especially dedicated.

Taken together, the reviews depict Summit Health and Rehabilitation Center as a place where genuine, compassionate care can shine through in daily practice, especially in moments of routine care, therapy, and compassionate interaction. At the same time, the same pool of reviews highlights notable safety and communication gaps that have caused anxiety for families and raised questions about consistency across shifts and units. The recurring threads point to a facility that, on balance, delivers meaningful, person-centered care for many residents while also confronting serious, sometimes systemic, challenges related to patient safety, front-desk responsiveness, discharge coordination, and staff conduct. For families evaluating care options, these varied perspectives suggest that while there are standout experiences and skilled caregivers at Summit, there is a clear imperative for ongoing attention to safety protocols, respectful communication, and reliable operational processes to ensure all residents receive consistently excellent care.

This part of Lynchburg, Virginia offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With easy access to transportation options such as the nearby Amtrak station, seniors can easily travel around the area. There are several cafes where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee and socialize with friends, as well as a variety of restaurants offering different dining options. The proximity to multiple hospitals and physicians offices ensures that seniors have access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are places of worship for spiritual fulfillment and pharmacies for convenient medication needs. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking for a vibrant community with essential services nearby.

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Cinn City (1.9 miles)
• 5th St Grind (2.2 miles)
• Mission House Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Golf Park Coffee (3.8 miles)

Parks

• Percival's Island (1.9 miles)
• Riveredge Park (2.3 miles)
• Riverside Park (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (2 miles)
• Bootleggers (2 miles)
• El Jefe Taqueria Garaje (2 miles)
• Dish (2 miles)
• Georgia's Sub & Deli (2.1 miles)
• Tahini's grill (2.1 miles)
• The Depot Grille (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Arise Residential Treatment (2.2 miles)
• Centra Health (2.6 miles)
• Centra Health (2.8 miles)
• Centra (3 miles)
• Virginia Fertility & IVF (4.1 miles)
• Bridges Treatment Center (4.5 miles)
• Centra Health Home Health (4.6 miles)

Theaters

• Venue Cinemas (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Sleep Wellness Center | Lynchburg Pulmonary Associates (2.4 miles)
• Physicians Treatment Center (2.4 miles)
• Timothy Courville (2.6 miles)
• Blue Ridge Ear, Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery (2.6 miles)
• The Cardiovascular Group (2.6 miles)
• Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center (2.6 miles)
• Horizon Behavioral Health - Michael J Tyler MD (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Gospel Community Church (2.4 miles)
• Amelon United Methodist Church (2.5 miles)
• Faith & Victory Church of Worship (3.1 miles)
• Solid Rock Baptist Church & Christian Schools (3.4 miles)
• Siloam United Way Of The Cross Church (4 miles)
• Grace Baptist Church (4.1 miles)
• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Robertson Drug Co. (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)