Palm Garden of Gainesville

My mother-in-law was a patient. She was placed in Palm Gardens for therapy due to a broken wrist from a fall. My mother-in-law is 100-years-old. She was neglected and got a severe bed sore on her lower back. She was taken to the hospital where the doctor the hospital said her wound should have never been allowed to get so bad under the care of Palm Gardens. Her wound was so bad that you could put your fist in it and see her bone. It was badly infected and oozing puss. She also developed sepsis. I do not recommend Palm Gardens for elderly care patients.

This was the second stay at Palm Garden for my husband. Two years ago, he was there about three weeks and was able to regain some strength needed to walk. We were pleased with his care. Then earlier this month he fell and was hospitalized for several days and found to have pneumonia. We were pleased that he could be returned to Palm Garden. I would visit him in the early afternoon and each time found him in bed with the room's blinds closed leaving the room dark. His pneumonia was caused by his shallow breathing which kept his broken ribs from hurting. The breathing was checked by checking his oxygen level. Each visit I found his breathing very shallow and knew his oxygen level had to be low but was assured it was where it should be. On the third day in a row of him being asleep in a dark room at mid-day with shallow breathing I brought one of the nurses back and he assured me that they had been checking his oxygen level regularly and it was consistently 98. He came back with me to the room and could clearly observe that the breathing was not compatible with him having a 98 level. He checked and the level was 88 which makes the patient lethargic. I am not pleased that staff felt they could fake his oxygen level with no consequences. The patient was put on antibiotics and supplemental oxygen and during the night was transferred to the hospital again where he was found to have double pneumonia which required IV antibiotics. Now some ten days later the patient is much better and ready to return to the nursing home for rehab but his room has been given to someone else. Now why was Palm Garden so anxious to give up his room to another patient? That was pretty well explained to me when I spoke to a Palm Garden case manager prior to his admission there. She asked me if the patient was able to stand, walk and fully participate in Palm Garden therapies. I explained that he was coming there because he needed to become able to do those things. She went on to say she didn’t want someone who was not going to be able to do all of those things because it would bring their score down (Medicare??).

I had no problems with anyone there! It helped me a lot! I was only there for short term rehab. But all the nursing. CNA, culinary, phy therapists, etc.....I loved everyone there!!! Every morning you would get a nice bowl of oatmeal. Since I cannot eat that. I would always not eat breakfast. I was not aware until I left I could have asked for something else!! DUH ME!!!! LOL!!!! My room was the best!!! Had no problems with going to bathroom alone. My medication was always on time!!! I did play 1 game of Bingo. I loved it!!! Not sure of title of the woman that ran it. But she was very nice. Also she distributed a newspaper to every room every morning!! I loved that little newspaper!! I looked forward to it every day!! Wished a couple times might have had another puzzle or 2!! I do not know how to do Suduku?? I'm not sure how to do those. I had a pleasant time there. Enjoyed everyone there!! Everyone was so nice & caring!!! Arlene Cooper

I was a resident at Palm Garden of Gainesville. This was my second time there for rehab. The first time was 8yrs ago and I do not regret going back. The staff are excellent and really care about making you feel comfortable. I especially enjoyed working with Charlie in rehab, he is a good guy. My nurse Amanda was great as well. Even the night time staff is awesome there. OH let me not forget the food, it was delicious. Thank you Palm Garden for making me strong again.

My elderly mother has been here for three separate injuries. Two of them quite serious. We have been very happy with the staff and the facility. The PT department is very good and all in all most employees have a great attitude and seem to enjoy the patients. The building is very well kept and clean. I do believe this facility really is the best in Gainesville. We have been to and seen others and they just don't compare. Now, that said, you still have to be very proactive when you have a loved one in a rehab facility. Stay on top of the care and medicines....ask about the care and communicate with the staff. They are very responsive to that and I was happy about it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this facility. In fact it's the ONLY one in Gainesville I would recommend.

I feel so lucky to have my mother at Palm Garden. The facility is clean and beautiful. The staff is friendly and caring. What more could you ask for?

My mother was at Palm Garden of Gainesville. I was very disappointed. The unsociable social workers told me I had to get her out of there because they were going to stop giving her rehab. I went to the financial people, and they said that her insurance would cover her for 100 days. Then I went back to the rehab people and they said that they haven’t decided to discharge her at all. I was really upset. The three departments weren't communicating with each other, until finally they got it straightened out. The next thing I knew, they were looking for another place to put my mother in while we’re thinking about full-time care.

My mother likes Palm Garden; it’s the only place she will go anytime she needs anything for rehab. In the last five years or so, she spent a lot of time there. The people that work there are friendly and remember her when she comes back. I really like the care she is getting.