West Oaks Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center

It has been a few years now that my father past away while at West Oaks. I believe that because I myself had worked at three state facilities (including individual work with non-​ambulatory individuals with various cognitive deficits and trained new staff), I knew what to look for. I also knew that no place would ever be perfect. I had also promised my Dad many years ago that he would receive the best care possible when the time came. He had needed some rehabilitation years before and I used my PT contacts within the state system to obtain a suggested list of facilities with very good PT departments. West Oaks was one of them and it was close to me. I went in and actually interviewed them. I took that opportunity to also observe interactions occurring along the way. I saw warm, caring interactions (daytime). The PT staff past my interview and would later became attached to my hardcore Dad. A few years past and his health began to decline rapidly. We had multiple hospitalizations and when discharged he would be weak and in need of rehabilitation. He had liked his time at West Oaks and so I selected it for him. They remembered him and he was glad to be in a place where there were familiar faces. Were there a few glitches in care? Yes. However there were glitches in my own care recently at a highly rated hospital. I firmly believe you must be a strong advocate for your loved one because no matter where you go there will be some type of error. You can’t be timid about your job as an advocate. If there was a medication issue or other nursing related issue I was in the Director of Nursing office or the PA’s office if the DON wasn’t available. And if necessary I had a discussion with the top official who is responsible for running the entire facility. I made sure to try to meet these people upon admission prior to any problems. I made sure to come by at different hours of the day because you meet the various shift staff and know what care is being given per shift. Just like any workplace you can have people who are really into their job, just there or burned out and it will usually show. For the majority of the staff it seemed they truly cared. My Dad developed specific favorites and his eyes would light up when they would walk in. I found it also helps when you share a few things with staff that continue to make your loved one special. They get to know them more if they aren’t very talkative or can’t talk anymore. Either my visit with the COO compelled him to visit my Dad or he just automatically makes rounds because my Dad began talking about those visits and was very grateful for them. The COO turned out to be a wonderful young man (hopefully he is still there) There was a tall African American male nurse (I believe his name was David) who was amazing. I will never forget the first time he saw my Dad he was in a wheelchair and the nurse got down on one knee to be at his level to talk to him. I was with my Dad when he took his last breath there at West Oaks. The most amazing thing happened. A line formed from his bed out down the hall and every single person who had any contact or connection with him or his case had come to pay respects. Since I was alone, this was very comforting and I will always remember those who cared for and cared about my Dad at West Oaks. I pray that they have been able to continue their level of care and compassion for others in need of that care. I hope that the examples or suggestions I made here will help you in whatever facility you select for your loved one.

Don’t send you loved ones here!
I honestly can’t believe what have seen in a place like this. They do not tailor treatment to the patients needs, everyone is treated the same, poorly. Very unprofessional staff and patient care the nursing staff is very cold and shows no care or concern for the patients. This was a place my father was sent for rehab care and its seemed more like an animal shelter. Nursing staff does not respond to patient calls promptly. (i saw a patient call light on for over 30 mins and the lady kept asking us to help until i went directly to the nurses station to ask for someone to help her). The care the nursing staff gives when they do is useless and there is no skill involved. This facility is a waste of time and money. Don’t go here.

My grandma has been here for almost two years and quite frankly I can count the workers who care on one hand that I have interacted with. I hear the rehab is great and the therapist/​activity instructors are awesome. My grandma enjoys the activities and loves the staff who lead them. The day staff appear to be on a whole new level of customer service compared to evening staff. Unfortunately that is where my praise ends. Since my grandma has been there we have dealt with a phone charger going missing, Staff eating her food in her room that was her dinner, stealing her money she wins in bingo (less than 5 bucks) or her candy we buy her and so on. Of course they have replaced the stolen items but that’s not the point! My grandma has been dropped/​let go of resulting in minor injuries multiple times. She is wheelchair bound yet they continue to try to make her stand on her own while brushing her teeth. No not in therapy… These are the people who are supposed to be helping her. There are a few good staff in her hallway but they are consistently understaffed. This has been a constant issue. A help light can be hit and it can take them up to 20 – 30 mins to get to them depending on how busy they are sometimes. And it’s not because of a lack of effort of the people working the halls. Most of the people in my gmas hall all depend fully on workers to get them in their wheelchairs and to change them meaning they are always busy. Two workers does not cut it and the nurses do not help. We have raised this concern to the upper management as to why nurses don’t help or why they sit constantly even when asked to help and we’ve been told those duties don’t belong to nurses. It’s funny because you would think nurses have professional titles and should act accordingly however we deal with nurses who ignore us/​laugh when we raise a concern such as a fall or something being stolen. And it’s not hidden attitude either, flat out right in front of you. Unless the state is there on a complaint (which we’ve seen twice) the nurses don’t move to life a finger. There is a clear divide in the staff. Maybe it’s because my family is there everyday and take an active role and it’s bothersome to them we like to be aware of what’s going on and report things we don’t find okay. Oh and can’t forget about the time they changed my grandmas meds and we noticed her moods were out of this world different. When we brought it up to the nurse (of course we were treated like we are bothering them) we were told her meds had been changed. No one notified us of this and yes we have medical power of attorney and have asked for these types of notifications. I could go on and on and vent but it really does no good. My advice to you would be to consider distance from family when you consider this place. The sole reason we haven’t moved my grandma is because it is a mile from my house and two miles from my mother. We are able to be active in her care and drop in almost daily. If we moved her further we wouldn’t be able to be there as much and to be honest probably deal with the same thing we are dealing with. I have had to tell myself over and over when we are laughed at by the nurses to maintain my composure due to the fact my grandmas care is in their hands. The rehab section appears to have more staff and to be more upbeat. It’s unfortunate that the long term residents are not treated with the same needs and staff. I’d say this place is satisfactory as the bare needs are met but nothing above those standards. A little respect by some of the nursing staff (definitely can’t group everyone together) who care for our family members would be appreciated. I have tried to be as honest as possible in this review. My grandma never complains about the staff as she is appreciate they care for her through her good and bad days but each of these residents deserve to be treated above the bare minimum of care. Maybe I’m super passionate about my grandmas care but if we aren’t there to defend her and her belongings then who will be? It’s hard to leave a review like this for the place that cares for her currently in fear she may be singled out but it needs to be said. I would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding West Oaks via message in case anyone has any.

I recommend West Oaks rehabilitation center to anyone who is searching for a strong rehab/​therapy team. The staff is kind and courteous and the programs for active/​engaging activities for all residents are extensive and inclusive. 5 stars!

My Mother recently passed away as her respiratory system began to have critical problems. She was just 76 but she had been a lifelong smoker. My mother stayed at 4 different health care, nursing and rehab facilities in Austin and I visited many more that she did not stay at. I am afraid that I am well qualified to review and to provide details about several care centers and about three hospitals.
Short take away is that West Oaks is a very good place. My mother lost a hand due to poor circulation and the entire West Oaks physical therapy group and Dustine, physical therapist pro, were wonderful in helping her to learn to use her artificial hand. I think the nurse Justine mentioned in other reviews, is the physical rehab manager, Dustine, that I think highly of and I highly recommend her whole rehab group. My mother was NOT motivated to exercise but they kept working with her.
The workers at West Oaks, as at every other nursing and rehab facility that my Mom was at, are VERY particular about their assigned roles. You need to learn the names and positions of the folks to best ask for help and to enable your loved one to best ask for help. There is no substitute for a family member or friend visiting and being there to respond to the patients wants. Also, being there to help voice likes, dislikes, and to advocate and meet folks. My Mom’s roommates daughter was helpful as well and I hope we sometimes helped her Mom. I met the kids of the lady across the hall and West Oaks is a very friendly place.
West Oaks works hard to keep the place clean and smelling good. They succeed but you will sometimes smell an accident, as at any nursing facility. My Mom became more bed bound and less mobile as time went on, as well.
The only negative from her months long stay at West Oaks is that my Mother complained about the food. She was a very light eater and a very picky eater but when we brought her purchased or homemade food, she barely ate that as well. We did our best to tempt her to eat and milk shakes and Ensures helped.
Another hint, we purchased Mom a prepaid cell phone and programmed the West Oaks front desk number in it, as well as all the family and friend numbers. This seems like a small thing but it made my Mother and family members feel more secure. As far as I know, my Mom never had to call the front desk to ask for help or to get a person there faster. She did have to call at other places.
Some of the names of folks at West Oaks that were extra great are Reuben, Donna, David, Dustine, and Anil, a CSR or personal tech, that my Mother renamed Angel. Mom appreciated Angel very much.
This is a very good place if you need a short term rehab or long term nursing care. More staff, especially in the personal care or in the CSR staff would be great, as more wants and quicker response would be good.

I would highly recommend West Oaks to someone looking for care for themselves or a family member. My grandmother has been a patient at West oaks several times over the years and we have ALWAYS had a positive experience. I truly believe that the staff is exceptional! The building is immaculate and does not have an odor to it whatsoever. I feel confident in the fact that my grandmother is being card for and is safe when she is at West Oaks. These people are special! They work with people who are in pain and sick or dying and they do it with such love and respect. I toured 4 nursing homes in the area before choosing West Oaks, some of them may have been newer or fancier but West Oaks just felt right. I knew when I stepped foot in the door that this was the right place, and I was right!

I know many people use and depend on Unilocal to make many decisions about how they spend their hard-​earned dollars, so I feel the strong need to write a review about this facility.
When I first learned that my father would need skilled nursing care, I – like many of you — checked its ratings on Unilocal.When I read the two reviews that currently exist, I was aghast and nearly canceled my scheduled tour. THANK GOODNESS at the last second, I decided to give the place a chance.
On my tour, I was SO IMPRESSED with the facility that I registered my father in their care, despite the bad reviews. I can tell you honestly that it has been the most incredible experience, and my father is thriving under their care. The facility is SPOTLESS, and they are always cleaning and buffing the floors. The activity director, Tammy, is AMAZING, and the way she LOVES the residents and interacts with them is truly heartwarming… plus, there are so many things going on at any given time, it’s exhausting to just read the calendar. The care-​givers are empathetic, loving and sincerely want what’s best for the residents. Probably the most impressive thing about West Oaks is their in-​house physical therapy and rehabilitation department.
I could go on and on, but my message is actually quite simple: If you need an SNF for a loved one, IGNORE the two bad reviews on this place and don’t walk but RUN to the registration people at West Oaks… you’ll be extremely pleased.

Malia thank you so much for your comments. We are looking for a ‘recovery’ place for my father in law and the representative met with us. She could not answer several of my questions and put up all kinds of red flags when she said if he is a «fall risk» the family would have to hire a sitter to sit with him while he was there! Yes you all read that right. So we recontacted our assigned case worker at the hospital and we are looking into other facilities. I was questioning that decision BUT after reading your review it is definitely our right one! Thanks so much!

My elderly mom went here for physical and cognitive therapy following a hospital stay after a fall. She was absolutely miserable the whole 5 weeks she was here. At first she was categorized as a high fall risk and not supposed to get out of bed unassisted, even to go to the bathroom. But she said no one ever responded fast enough to her ringing for help for any reason, so usually ended up getting up on her own.
She had good things to say about the physical therapist and most of the people working there were nice and friendly enough, but I guess they’re under staffed and aren’t as responsive as they should be.
My mom is diabetic and her toenails needed clipping when she arrived. The intake nurse said only a podiatrist could do that since there’s the extra danger of her being diabetic and on blood thinners for heart condition as well. When the podiatrist finally got around to her, he actually cut into her toe, not only resulting in bleeding and pain to my poor mom, but weeks of dealing with antibiotics. I only found out about it when mom complained that no one had been changing her dressing which was supposed to be changed every day. By that time, over a week had passed and there was no note in her chart about the cut, treatment or anything else. Explanation was that the doctor (Dr. Whitesides) transcribed notes later and they didn’t make it in the chart immediately. But for a podiatrist to cut into a diabetic patient’s toe and making it bleed — not reporting it to the staff for follow up, is unacceptable. Even after I started following up with the staff to find out what happened, they kept telling me they would, but it was like pulling teeth to get anyone to call me back with any real answers.
Other big problem was that when I brought her in, I brought a large black leather bag with all her prescription medicine in the bottles. The nurse said they needed them in the bottles or they couldn’t dispense them. And they would only give her the pills we already had on that first night and then would have to switch to ones dispensed from their own supply. I was told the bag would be locked up and returned to me when she checked out. However, when that day arrived, the only thing that could be found was the empty bag! We’re talking about 18 different prescriptions, some of which had 90 day supplies that now we have to replace! Pretty irresponsible in my opinion.
When she checked in, nurse said she would be checked for UTI because that could contribute to her confused mental state and dizziness. Due to chest pain a month into her stay, she was hospitalized and hospital noted she had been treated for a UTI while there. I asked West Oaks why that hadn’t been taken care of by them and never got an answer — just unfulfilled promises to check it out and call me back. I was told the day she was released that they had tested her again and they would call with results. No one has ever bothered, even though I’ve left several messages.
Mom also said the food was the absolute worse of any place (even hospitals) that she’s ever been, and she’s got that experience to make that call!
My mom had been at Stonebridge Rehab before and although that wasn’t great, either, she said it was definitely better than West Oaks.
So if you’re thinking of this as a good place for your loved one to get quality care, think again!