Overall sentiment across reviews is mixed but consistent in several key areas. Staff and interpersonal interactions are the facility's strongest asset. Many reviewers emphasize that staff are caring, hardworking, friendly, and willing to go above and beyond. The front desk and direct-care staff receive repeated praise for being pleasant and helpful, and some reviewers explicitly say they would recommend the facility. Several comments note strong COVID safety practices and a willingness to accommodate dietary needs. When staffing and service are operating well, residents participate in daily or floor-based activities and appear content.
Facilities and living spaces are another positive theme. Multiple reviewers describe the building as clean, well maintained, and nicely kept. Rooms are often characterized as spacious and home-like, with the flexibility to bring personal furniture. The building offers a range of common areas including sitting areas, an activity room, TV room, library, rehab room, elevator access, and amenities such as a sauna and Jacuzzi. These features contribute to a comfortable environment for many residents, and the downtown Johnstown location is a benefit for some families.
However, several significant and recurring concerns temper the positives. Dining and food quality appear to be polarizing: while some reviewers mention chef-prepared meals and dietary accommodations, a number of others report that the meals are overly salty, limited in variety (mentions of hot dogs and hamburgers), and occasionally poorly seasoned with excess oregano. Dining policies such as dining-room-only rules are also noted as restrictive. Activity programming is uneven: although there are multiple indoor activities and daily options for some residents, other reviewers report activities limited to mornings, lack of off-site trips, and no birthday celebrations, which can reduce social engagement and resident satisfaction.
Operational and care-quality issues are a major pattern in the reviews. Multiple reviewers raise concerns about staffing levels, turnover, and the presence of agency nurses; these factors are linked to medication delays, missed or late care tasks, and inconsistent service. Several accounts describe nurses being overworked and insufficient staffing for residents who need higher levels of assistance. Communication and organizational shortcomings are frequently reported — family members cite difficulty reaching staff, unclear information about room availability, and tours that felt unprepared. These administrative gaps contribute to anxiety and frustration among families trying to evaluate or coordinate care.
Cleanliness and safety issues are highlighted by several reviewers and are important to note. Specific problems include mold in bathrooms and toilets (with at least one resident purchasing their own cleaner), rooms that smelled of urine, and at least one instance of an unsafe room heater reaching extremely high temperatures that could not be regulated. Accessibility limitations are also mentioned: some bathrooms are not handicap-accessible, and available rooms may be on upper floors which may present challenges for residents with mobility issues.
Cost and access are practical concerns for some families. The facility is described as expensive by reviewers and does not accept Medicaid, which limits affordability for certain residents. Parking problems and, for a few families, the location or travel distance make visits and involvement more difficult. Finally, social aspects vary: while many residents are observed to be happy and engaged, other reviewers noted few people to talk to and a sense of limited social opportunities for some residents.
In summary, The Atrium - A Choice Community presents a mix of strong interpersonal care and facility amenities alongside notable operational and quality-control weaknesses. Prospective residents and families should weigh the consistent praise for staff compassion, clean and spacious living areas, and available amenities against recurring issues around meal quality, activity limitations, staffing shortages, communication, and specific cleanliness/safety concerns. Visiting the facility multiple times, asking targeted questions about staffing ratios, medication handling, activity schedules (including off-site trips and celebrations), food menus and accommodations, maintenance practices for mold and heating systems, accessibility of specific rooms, and financial/Medicaid policies will help families make a more informed decision based on the patterns seen in these reviews.
