Community Care

Pros

• Cottonwood is described as an amazing facility.
• The staff are amazing, prompt, and attentive, making residents feel safe.
• Cottonwood is filled with friendly people and a helpful staff who go the extra mile in a safe, clean environment.
• The staff are wonderful, kind, empathetic, and very caring; everyone goes out of their way to care for residents.
• The longer people visit, the more impressed they are with the staff, who give their all for residents.
• It is a great place to work, with staff enjoying spending time with residents.
• Admissions are handled smoothly by supportive and kind staff.
• Families appreciate open communication and regular updates on residents' health.
• Activity staff provide a wide variety of activities, and photos are posted to keep families informed.
• Families express gratitude for the love and care shown to their relatives.

Cons

• The facility is described as a place they would never recommend, with a father-in-law ripped off by a caretaker and left unshaved, beard growing into his mouth, which was terrible.
• It is called the most disgusting place ever, severely understaffed, with an awful smell and neglect of wounds; not recommended.
• The place is utterly awful, with no follow-up from the director for over a month; they wouldn't send anyone there.
• It is a dreadful place where patient property is lost, staffing is extreme, food is dreadful, medications arrive late, and there is no resolution for months.
• The facility is said to need shutdown due to lack of care: dehydration, poor hydration and nutrition, hygiene neglect, and staff treating residents as disgusting.
• The building is old and has a persistent smell; the administrator is described as lacking compassion and gossiping about staff.
• Care is poor: ants in rooms, patients in urine, failure to feed those who cannot feed themselves, rudeness to families, lost belongings, dehydration and malnutrition, and inadequate physical/memory care.
• Staff are described as disrespectful, with a staff member yelling at a resident; the place is called toxic.
• COVID visitation restrictions are criticized as misrepresented or lied about, with families told they could visit dying relatives but were not allowed.

Review

Two Wyoming-based aging-care facilities come into view through a broad tapestry of family and staff experiences: Cottonwood Health and Laramie Care Center. The comments run the gamut from heartfelt gratitude to pointed concerns, creating a mosaic of care that shows how differently things can feel depending on the day, the staff on duty, and the specific needs of a resident. Across the board, though, the themes that emerge are about compassion, communication, cleanliness and safety, and the realities of staffing and administration in a nursing- and memory-care setting.

Cottonwood Health garners a large share of praise from families who describe deeply positive experiences. A mother who spent her last weeks there is reflected as having received exemplary care: staff were prompt, attentive, and made her feel safe even when her loved ones weren't nearby. The facility is described as a godsend during a difficult time, with a culture of care, love, and respect that extended to residents with disabilities. Several reviewers emphasize how the staff go the extra mile, creating a welcoming and secure environment that families appreciate. The sense that Cottonwood is both a good place to be cared for and a good place to work - where teamwork and a genuine concern for residents' well-being are evident - repeats in multiple accounts. There are mentions of thorough communication with families, including regular updates by phone when visits weren't possible, and a general impression of a clean, safe, and well-managed space. Overall, the tone is one of strong trust in the staff's ability to protect and support residents, with many reviewers repeatedly affirming their willingness to recommend Cottonwood to others.

Within Cottonwood's reviews, the praise is reinforced by ongoing positive observations: as some families return for additional visits or transitions, they become more impressed with the staff's competence and dedication, even during stressful periods. Residents are described as being well cared for, with staff who speak to them by name, coordinate meaningful activities, and help maintain a sense of normalcy and dignity. The recurring sentiment is that Cottonwood cultivates a warm, open atmosphere where the residents feel cared for and the families feel informed and respected. The consistency of these experiences - staff responsiveness, attentiveness, and a clean, safe environment - appears to be a defining strength in the minds of many families.

Of course, not every comment about Cottonwood is entirely glowing. One negative review in the broader set cautions readers to consider experiences carefully; it recounts a distressing situation involving a family member and a caretaker, describing neglect and a lack of appropriate attention. The reviewer's strong dislike for the alleged episode serves as a reminder that even well-regarded facilities must continually prove their commitment to residents' comfort, dignity, and safety to avoid serious lapses in care. While this single account stands apart in tone from the many positive testimonials, it underscores the importance of due diligence and ongoing accountability in any care setting.

Laramie Care Center presents a converging yet more divided chorus. On the positive side, several families highlight particular staff members and the center's programming as bright spots. Names like Naomi, Lisa, Tammy, Andea (sometimes spelled Andrea), and Sarah come up repeatedly as examples of compassionate, attentive caregivers who understand both the medical and the human aspects of care. Families appreciate the accessibility of staff, the time staff take to answer questions, and the regular communication that helps them feel connected to their loved ones' status. The activity team is also praised for offering a steady stream of exercise, crafts, and social opportunities, with photos posted to social media that let families see what residents have been doing. The center's approach to communication - phone calls, conferences, and clear information about infection-control measures during COVID - also earns thanks from families who value being kept informed and included in care decisions. For some residents, these relationships with staff and the ability to visit when possible provide a sense of continuity and reassurance.

Yet, other reviewers narrate a very different experience at Laramie Care Center. A number of comments raise serious concerns about care quality and operational practices. Some reviewers describe a long-term sense of neglect, poor follow-up from administrators, and a perception that the facility is not responsive enough to concerns about a patient's condition or property. There are pointed complaints about understaffing, delays in meals or medications, and reported losses of patient belongings with little to no resolution. One reviewer paints a picture of a facility that struggles with basic issues like timely hydration and appropriate dietary support, while another notes that their family found the building outdated, with an odor and an impression of neglect that belies its potential. There are critical remarks about leadership, specifically mentioning an administrator perceived as lacking compassion and more focused on office routines than on residents' needs. In some reviews, the frustration is intense: a caller expresses that they would not recommend the center at all, and others describe staff as rude or dismissive, undermining trust and comfort during an already stressful time.

The contrast within Laramie Care Center's reviews is striking. On one hand, you have families who feel that specific staff members - about whom they sing praises - provide genuine warmth, respect, and effective communication; they highlight how the center tries to create meaningful activity and meaningful connections, including updates to families and facilitated visits during COVID. On the other hand, multiple accounts highlight systemic issues that can undermine the care experience: inconsistent follow-through from leadership, frustration with communication gaps, and concerns about infrastructure, staffing levels, and basic daily care needs like nutrition, hydration, and cleanliness. The sentiment of dismay intensifies in some comments, where the reviewee feels that both the facility's environment and its leadership fall short of the standards they expect for their loved ones.

What emerges from these reviews is a nuanced portrait: care quality in these facilities can be excellent in some moments and deeply challenging in others. Factors that families repeatedly cite as making a difference include the presence of compassionate and communicative staff, the ability to maintain personal connections through regular updates and family conferences, and a structured activity program that keeps residents engaged and visible to families through photos and social updates. At the same time, concerns about staffing adequacy, responsiveness of administration, facility upkeep, and consistent adherence to basic care standards remind readers that even well-meaning organizations must continuously address gaps and invest in both people and processes. These reviews together emphasize the importance for families to visit, meet the caregivers in person, ask pointed questions about staffing ratios and care plans, and observe how a facility handles changes in a resident's condition, as well as how it communicates with families during difficult times and public health challenges.

In the end, these testimonials reflect a broader truth about long-term care: behind every doorway are dedicated people striving to provide comfort and safety, alongside systemic pressures that can impede ideal outcomes. For families evaluating Cottonwood Health or Laramie Care Center, the messages argue for a careful, proactive approach. Seek out those caregivers who consistently demonstrate warmth, attentiveness, and transparency; ask about staffing levels, care routines, and how updates are handled during crises; and request a clear sense of how the facility plans to address concerns when problems arise. The goal, for families and residents alike, is to find that trusted partner in care - one that can balance compassion with accountability, so that the days spent in these centers feel as safe, dignified, and supported as possible.

This part of Laramie, Wyoming, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors. With several hospitals nearby, including the highly rated Meredith And Jeannie Ray Cancer Center and Ivinson Memorial Hospital, residents have access to quality healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are numerous places of worship for spiritual fulfillment, a variety of restaurants for dining out options, beautiful parks for leisurely strolls, and theaters for entertainment. For medical needs, there are several physicians and pharmacies in the vicinity providing essential services. Lastly, cafes such as Book & Bean and Turtle Rock Coffee offer cozy spaces for socializing with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this area provides a balanced mix of convenience and recreation for senior living.

Hospitals

• Five Stars (0 miles)
• Meredith And Jeannie Ray Cancer Center (0.9 miles)
• Ivinson Memorial Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Albany County Hospital District (0.9 miles)
• Urgent Care (1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Zion Lutheran Church (0.1 miles)
• Church of Christ (0.1 miles)
• University Catholic Community (0.1 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (0.5 miles)
• United Presbyterian Church (0.6 miles)
• Emmanuel Apostolic Temple (0.6 miles)
• Laramie Reformed Presbyterian (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Omg (0.1 miles)
• Niko Sushi & Steak (0.1 miles)
• Black Kilt (0.2 miles)
• O'Dwyers Public House (0.2 miles)
• Taco John's (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Arby's (0.4 miles)

Parks

• Washington Park (0.2 miles)
• Fraternity Mall (0.3 miles)
• LaPrele Park (0.5 miles)
• Optimist Park (0.6 miles)
• Harbon Park (0.8 miles)
• Optimist Park Dog Park (1.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Fox Theater (0.2 miles)
• Studio City Uw Plaza - Arq (0.6 miles)

Physicians

• Laramie Reproductive Health (0.3 miles)
• University-Wy Hearing & Speech (0.6 miles)
• Laramie Valley Medical (0.7 miles)
• Snowy Range Vision Center (0.8 miles)
• Behavioral Health Service (0.8 miles)
• Meadowlark Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Stone Meadow Health and Wellness (0.9 miles)

Cafes

• Book & Bean (0.4 miles)
• Java Java Espresso (0.4 miles)
• Coal Creek Coffee Uptown (0.5 miles)
• Turtle Rock Coffee (0.8 miles)
• The Rising Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Turtle Rock Coffee (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (0.9 miles)

Transportation

• Laramie Taxidermy (0.5 miles)
• Alamo (1.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Quality IV Care (0.9 miles)
• Pole Mountain Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.3 miles)