Golden LivingCenter - Riverside

Pros

• The care his uncle received was exceptional.
• Cameron was always available to answer questions.
• The care staff did a great job keeping him clean, fed, comfortable, and happy away from home.
• The facility was clean and the staff welcoming.
• Chrissy in the business office went above and beyond to help with the process.
• The staff have been very helpful.
• Tia was instrumental in expediting care with the oncologist and hospice care.
• Janis the night nurse, Brittany, and the front desk nurses are quick to offer help.
• The OT and PT are great with the exercises.
• The staff provide very friendly and exceptional care.
• Riverside saved my dad's life.
• The staff treated my mother with dignity and respect and provided excellent care.

Cons

• The facility was a horrible place and patient care was terrible.
• They wouldn't put their dog in there; it's awful.
• If there were a zero rating, this facility would be it.
• The rehab was nonproductive and very minimal.
• Wound dressing was changed only once and not observed during the entire stay.
• The room was changed without family notification.
• Discharge planning was nonexistent, other than a phone call the day before discharge on a Saturday.
• When staff were asked questions, they said they were new and their manager was gone.
• The staff were useless.
• They would transport the patient home, but offered no options or assistance with the dilemma.
• On discharge day, a potty chair was sent by transport and the daughter had to pick up the patient, who was not ambulatory and had stairs to enter the home.
• There was very poor customer service and no compassion for patient outcomes.
• The experience was extremely disappointing.
• Steer clear of this facility.
• The facility had the worst food and care in Kanawha Valley.
• A resident with severe dementia was placed in a room with a person who screamed for help constantly.
• A latex balloon arch in the cafeteria exposed people to unnecessary risk given latex allergies.
• The wife waited over four hours for a diet Coke, was left on a bedpan for over 90 minutes, and was yelled at when requesting a drink during shift change.

Review

Riverside presents itself in these accounts as a place where many families find not just care, but a sense of partnership and compassion that steadies them through difficult health journeys. Across numerous reflections, the common thread is a staff that feels more like a team of dedicated caregivers than a roster of individual workers. The facility is repeatedly described as clean and welcoming, with families noting that the people who work there are consistently kind, attentive, and available. In particular, the leadership and frontline team are praised for making themselves accessible when questions arise, and for treating patients with dignity and respect from the moment they arrive.

One family's experience centers on an uncle whose well-being seemed to hinge on the steadiness and responsiveness of Riverside's leadership and caregiving team. The director, Cameron, is repeatedly highlighted as someone who remains reachable for questions and concerns, while the care staff are commended for keeping him clean, fed, comfortable, and as content as possible during a difficult time away from home. The facility's cleanliness and the warm welcome extended by the staff help frame a picture of Riverside as a supportive environment. Chrissy in the business office is singled out for going above and beyond to help navigate the admission and ongoing processes, underscoring the sense that the facility strives to ease the administrative burden on families as well as the medical one. For this family, Riverside stands in contrast to a prior negative experience at a Genesis facility, reinforcing their relief at securing a hopeful, well-run option.

Beyond the uncle's care, other families recount similar strengths in Riverside's approach. A friend's mother benefited from staff who were described as very helpful, and the team - particularly Tia - played a crucial role in expediting care with oncology and hospice services. Janis, the night nurse, along with Brittany and the front-desk nurses, are praised for their prompt, supportive responses to requests. The occupational and physical therapy teams are noted for not only guiding exercises, but for attention to the patient's wellbeing in small, meaningful ways - such as fixing a patient's hair - highlighting the holistic nature of Riverside's care. These testimonials emphasize a culture of proactive assistance and a willingness to do what it takes to support patients and their families through complex medical pathways.

Of course, not every account is uniformly glowing. A smaller but emphatic set of reviews describes a very different experience: a patient who endured what they called a "horrible place" with care that fell far short of expectations. In this view, rehab was nonproductive, wound care was insufficient, and discharge planning was severely lacking. Communication gaps, last-minute changes to rooms, and perceived insensitivity from staff are cited as core issues. The reviewer notes that personnel often claimed they were new or that management was unavailable, and they describe being left to navigate significant logistical dilemmas with little assistance. This perspective serves as a reminder that, even in facilities renowned for compassion, there can be rough patches where the experience diverges sharply from the ideal.

Amid these contrasts, many reviews celebrate Riverside's warmth, professionalism, and reliability. Several families remark on the genuine friendliness of the staff, the absence of unpleasant odors, and a sense that caregivers treat residents like family. One account highlights a loved one who has now spent more than a year at Riverside and is described as "loving the staff like family"; another notes the facility's ongoing commitment to patient dignity, with staff repeatedly going above and beyond to listen and respond. The facility's culture of cleanliness and comfort is echoed across multiple voices, reinforcing Riverside's image as a place where daily life is made easier for patients and their families through careful attention and steady companionship.

Several heartfelt testimonials center on extraordinary acts of care that leave a lasting impression. In a particularly moving narrative, Riverside is credited with "saving" a father's life, a story that extols not only technical competence but the human touch that accompanies medical care. The account paints a vivid portrait of staff taking meticulous notes, arranging little comforts like combing hair or placing eyeglasses first thing in the morning, and leaving messages for families. Key figures - thea, Cristee, Tammy, Josh Sears, and the social workers - are named for their roles in navigating medical, financial, and emotional terrain. The overarching message is that Riverside staff become allies and even sources of solace during some of the most challenging moments families face.

In another thread, families express gratitude for the general atmosphere Riverside cultivates: a place that, for many, feels like a harbor of support. The facility is praised for its clean environment and the compassionate, capable care delivered by a broad team - Cameron, Lee, Jimmy, and numerous other staff members - who collectively contribute to a sense that Riverside is among the best nursing facilities the reviewers have visited. Clear communication from the team helps families feel informed and involved in decisions about care, contributing to a sense of trust and confidence in Riverside's operations. The overall sentiment is that Riverside's people - not just its procedures - make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and their loved ones.

Amid the many positives, a few practical concerns recur, such as the latex balloon arch used in the cafeteria, which some reviewers note can pose risks for latex allergies. Acknowledging this, several responses suggest shifting to non-latex balloon options to maintain celebratory atmosphere while safeguarding guests and residents with sensitivities. There are also mentions of individual circumstances that require patience and ongoing observation, including a recent patient's family continuing to assess care after several days. Taken together, these notes reflect a facility that, while highly regarded for its warmth, still faces the realities of healthcare operations where continuous improvement is possible and ongoing listening to families remains essential.

Overall, the tapestry of stories paints Riverside as a place where compassion and competence often intersect to create meaningful, life-affirming experiences for residents and their families. From directors who are accessible and reassuring to front-line staff who treat patients with dignity, the facility is repeatedly described as clean, welcoming, and deeply invested in patient-centered care. While some reviews point to gaps that require attention - especially around rehab efficiency, discharge planning, and consistent communication - these voices coexist with numerous accounts of lifesaving, life-affirming care and a community of caregivers who strive to support families through some of their most challenging times. In the end, Riverside emerges as a facility where many patients and families feel seen, valued, and cared for in ways that extend beyond clinical treatment alone.

This part of St. Albans, West Virginia, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. The area features several restaurants, including Fresh Seafood Co. and Cracker Barrel, providing convenient dining options. Additionally, there are numerous pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS nearby for easy access to medications. Medical care is also readily available with multiple physician offices and hospitals in close proximity. For entertainment, residents can enjoy movies at Regal Nitro or Marquee Cinemas - Southridge 12. Cafes like Tim Hortons and Coal River Coffee Company provide relaxed settings for socializing. Places of worship such as First Presbyterian Church and Southridge Church offer spiritual support within the community. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in St. Albans, West Virginia.

Restaurants

• Fresh Seafood Co. (0.6 miles)
• Los Agaves (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Wendy's (2.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.8 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (2.9 miles)
• Wendy's (3 miles)

Parks

• Wine Cellar Park (1.9 miles)
• Shawnee Park (2.1 miles)
• Little Creek Park (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Bypass Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Dunbar Medical Associates (2 miles)
• Dr Endicot Office (2.5 miles)
• Spring Hill Primary Care Physicians (2.6 miles)
• Charleston Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates (2.6 miles)
• TMH Summit Orthopedics (2.6 miles)
• Crigger & Associates Ent (2.6 miles)
• Mountain State Medicine & Rheumatology (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Thomas Breast Cancer Center (2.5 miles)
• Thomas Memorial Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Thomas Herbrt J Mm Hospital Association (2.7 miles)
• Best Medical Oxygen-HM Medical (4.9 miles)
• Women & Children's Hospital (7.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Nitro (3 miles)
• Marquee Cinemas - Southridge 12 (4.8 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (3.6 miles)
• Coal River Coffee Company (3.8 miles)
• Tj Cinnamons (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Presbyterian Church (4.5 miles)
• Southridge Church (5.5 miles)
• Robinson United Methodist Chur (6.9 miles)