Pine Valley Manor staff were extremely conscientious. Even the nurses' assistants and the housekeeping people were extremely punctual, honest and cheerful. Sanitation and monitoring regimens were carefully and punctually followed. I think even people in serious decline with advanced dementia, etc. were well cared for. Physical therapy was very well managed - demanding, but not sadistic. Kind of reminded me of my high school coaches. Occupational therapy was a little less well conducted. I didn't think the OT people paid close enough attention to what I could already do and we should have focused more on what occupational challenges I needed to work on.The food was not very good. The food manager could not be faulted for laziness; I just think that old institutional cooking culture is very hard to overturn, and besides lots of the residents like extremely bland unadventurous cooking. And then there are people like me that like garlic and Jalapenos. I do think that as the boomers start to populate the care facilities they are going to require a different cuisine.

Pine Valley is a skilled nursing facility owned and operated by Richland County. They also offer adult day care services and have a dementia care unit. It's out in the middle of the country--it's peaceful, but it can be hard to find if you haven't been there before. The staff is just wonderful. They're very committed to the residents, and there's been little turnover among both the direct care staff and the administration. The facility is an older brick 3-story building, well maintained but in constant need of updates. It has 104 beds, and the rooms are average size. Other pluses: - The most recent state survey found just one deficiency, compared to a state average of 8. - They have psych rounds on a regular basis. - The food is good. - The activities program is well structured and good. - They have facility pets.