Comprehensive Review: Nazareth Living Center

• Introduction and Overview

• Key Facts

• Services and Care Options
  • Specialized Care Services
• Amenities and Daily Life
  • Facility Amenities
  • Activities and Engagement
• Resident Experiences and Satisfaction
  • Positive Aspects Highlighted by Residents
  • Areas for Consideration
• Pricing Structure and Financial Considerations
  • Detailed Pricing Breakdown
  • Payment Options
• Staff Quality and Management
• Comparison with Local Alternatives
  • Key Differentiators of Nazareth Living Center
• Reputation and Recognition
• Conclusion and Final Recommendations
  • Final Actionable Steps

Introduction and overview

Nazareth Living Center is located at 2 Nazareth Ln, St. Louis, MO 63129. It is a large senior living community offering multiple levels of care, from independent living through skilled nursing. The facility is a Continuum of Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and has been serving the St. Louis area for over 100 years.

Key facts

• Capacity: 242 certified beds
• Medicare/Medicaid Certified: Yes
• Overall Medicare Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Services and care options

Nazareth Living Center offers four main levels of care. Residents can move between them as their needs change.

Care Level

Description

Key Features

Independent Living

For active seniors seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle

– Private accommodations
– Social activities
– Community amenities

Assisted Living

24/7 personal care assistance

– Medication management
– Help with daily activities
– Personalized care plans

Memory Care

Specialized support for cognitive impairments

– Secure environment
– Tailored programs
– Trained staff

Skilled Nursing

24-hour medical supervision

– Comprehensive medical care
– Rehabilitation services
– Chronic condition management

Rehabilitation Services

Recovery and therapy programs

– Physical therapy
– Occupational therapy
– Speech therapy

Specialized care services

• The facility partners with local healthcare providers for medical services. It also offers pain management programs, advanced wound care, and on-site hemodialysis.

Amenities and daily life

Nazareth Living Center has several amenities for residents, including restaurant-style dining with chef-prepared meals and special diet options, social gathering spaces, a fitness center with classes, a beauty salon and barber shop, Wi-Fi, an emergency alert system, and housekeeping and laundry services.

Activities and engagement

• A typical week includes morning exercise classes, art workshops, bingo and game nights, piano performances and live entertainment, educational lectures, spiritual services and activities, and walking and hiking opportunities.

When visiting, ask to see the monthly activity calendar and observe activities in progress. Pay attention to the variety offered and how they accommodate different interests and abilities.

Resident experiences and satisfaction

Resident feedback is mostly positive, with some concerns noted.

Aspect

Rating (out of 5)

Overall

2.7

Facility

2.6

Staff

2.7

Food

2.7

Activities

2.7

Value

2.7

Positive aspects highlighted by residents

• Residents report caring and compassionate staff, convenient on-site doctor availability, a strong sense of community, and a comprehensive range of care options. One resident, Joan T., said: "The staff is absolutely outstanding! They are extremely caring and compassionate. They truly are interested in our welfare."

Areas for consideration

• Some residents have concerns about food quality and mixed feedback on staff responsiveness.

To understand resident experiences better: visit at different times of day including mealtimes; speak with current residents and families outside scheduled tours; ask management about initiatives to address concerns like food quality and staff responsiveness; and request to participate in a meal service. Also inquire about menu changes and how dietary restrictions are handled.

Pricing structure and financial considerations

Nazareth Living Center's pricing is competitive with local alternatives.

Cost Type

Nazareth Living Center

Local Market Average

Starting Price

$2,940/month

$4,750/month

Average Monthly Cost

$5,164/month

$4,980/month

Maximum Cost

$7,729/month

N/A

Detailed pricing breakdown

Room Type

Monthly Rate

Features

One-Bedroom

$1,782

Kitchenette, private bath

Two-Bedroom

$2,181

Full kitchen, living area

Studio

$3,510

Safety features, monitored access

Payment options

• Medicare certified, Medicaid approved, private insurance accepted (verify specific plans), and private pay options available.

Request a detailed, itemized pricing sheet showing base rates for different care levels, costs for specialized services like dialysis or rehabilitation, one-time fees, and rate increase schedules. Also ask about move-in specials and bundled service packages. Compare costs with at least three other facilities in the area to understand local market rates and what each offers for its price.

2. As care needs change, costs typically increase. A resident may start with help preparing meals but later need assistance with bathing, dressing, or medication management. Further health decline may require specialized care for dementia or mobility issues. Each increase in care level or new service adds to monthly costs, as facilities have different pricing tiers based on support needs. Discuss potential future care changes with the facility to understand how your budget may be affected.

Staff quality and management

Medicare ratings for staffing are low. Daily nursing care averages 3.3 hours per resident, with 1.1 hours from licensed nurses (0.2 RN, 0.9 LPN) and 2.2 hours from aides. These levels are below average and may affect care quality and responsiveness.

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When evaluating: ask about staff-to-resident ratios during different shifts including nights and weekends; inquire about staff turnover rates and training programs; observe staff interactions during your visit; ask about initiatives to improve staffing and address low Medicare ratings; and inquire about the qualifications and experience of key management overseeing care services.

Comparison with local alternatives

Here's how Nazareth Living Center compares to other facilities in the St. Louis area.

Facility Name

Overall Rating

Key Features

Starting Price

Nazareth Living Center

2.0/5 (Medicare)

Comprehensive care options, Large facility

$2,940/month

Bethesda Hawthorne Place

9.3/10

High-quality memory care, Local recognition

Contact for pricing

Laclede Groves

9.4/10

Faith-inspired setting, Holistic care approach

Contact for pricing

Friendship Village Sunset Hills

5.5/10

Comprehensive amenities, Mixed satisfaction

$3,566/month

Mason Pointe

7.3/10

Luxury environment, Premium amenities

$3,920/month

Key differentiators of Nazareth Living Center

1. With 242 certified beds, the facility can offer more resources and a wider range of social opportunities. It provides a full continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing, including specialized services like an on-site dialysis unit. Entry-level pricing starts below the local average, making basic care more affordable.

When comparing facilities: create a checklist of your most important criteria and use it to evaluate each one; schedule tours of at least 3-4 facilities to compare environments, staff, and atmosphere; talk to residents and families at each to hear about daily life and care quality; consider current and potential future care needs; and pay attention to the significant rating differences between Nazareth Living Center and competitors, investigating the reasons during visits. Also ask about staff-to-resident ratios, training programs, and medical services offered, especially if you have specific health needs.

Reputation and recognition

Nazareth Living Center is part of Benedictine Living, an established senior care organization, and has served the St. Louis community for over 100 years. The facility participates in local events and community initiatives.

However, the facility has faced regulatory challenges. In the last three years it received 7 federal fines totaling $779,963, 3 Medicare payment denials, an abuse citation, and 40 health citations (compared to the Illinois average of 12.4). These issues suggest difficulty maintaining consistent quality standards and regulatory compliance.

To better understand the facility's standing: research local news articles for mentions; inquire about partnerships with local organizations; ask management about their plans for improving the facility's community standing; seek opinions from local healthcare professionals or senior care advisors; and review the facility's plan to address regulatory issues and citations.

Conclusion and final recommendations

Nazareth Living Center offers a range of services in a large setting with competitive entry-level pricing. However, the lower Medicare ratings, staffing concerns, and regulatory issues warrant careful consideration before deciding.

Final actionable steps

1. Schedule multiple visits at different times including weekends and evenings to understand how the facility operates.
2. Speak with current residents and families outside scheduled tours for honest feedback.
3. Request and review the most recent state inspection reports to understand ongoing issues and improvement plans.
4. Observe staff interactions during your visit and ask about staff turnover rates and training programs.
5. Ask how the facility manages transitions between different care levels for long-term planning.
6. If rehabilitation matters, ask for success rates, average stay lengths, and therapy staff qualifications.
7. Ask how the facility communicates with families about health updates or care plan changes.
8. Review the facility's services to ensure they can meet future health needs as they change.
9. Ask management about specific, actionable plans to improve care quality, staffing, and resident satisfaction, given the low ratings and regulatory issues.
10. Weigh the lower costs against potential trade-offs in care quality and amenities. Determine whether the savings justify any compromises in service or quality of life.

These steps will help you make an informed decision. While Nazareth Living Center offers many services at competitive entry-level pricing, its lower ratings and regulatory challenges mean you should carefully verify care standards before committing.