I am writing this review in April of 2026…read more If I were looking for a facility for inpatient or outpatient rehab for myself or a relative, based on some of the reviews here, I would definitely not choose Friendship South. However, I am glad I did not read these reviews when I had to make such a decision for myself about two years ago. For one thing, all of the few reviews here were written more than five years ago. While I have no reason to doubt that the writers are giving their best honest accounts of their experiences with Friendship South, a lot can change over such a time span. (Note: Friendship has several facilities in the Roanoke Valley, which can lead to some confusion; see my note at the end of this review concerning a possible case of such confusion. As the map shows, this forum concerns specifically Friendship South health and rehab on Starkey Road.) I have been an inpatient at Friendship South twice (most recently during January and February of this year) and an outpatient for three stints -- each lasting several months -- over the past two years. I am currently undergoing outpatient therapy for recovery from a back operation. Over the past twenty years, several of my friends and relatives -- including my mother -- have had to spend time in rehab facilities in the Roanoke Valley, so I've seen the good, the not so good and the indifferent (I had to move my mother once). My one exposure to Friendship South was about four years ago when I visited a friend in his 90s who was an inpatient recovering from some procedure. He was in such good humor and spoke so positively about the facility and how he was being cared for that when --- a couple of years later --- I had to decide where I wanted to be sent to recover from a torn ligament in my hip, I didn't hesitate to choose Friendship South. Now, everyone's experience is unique, and mine is as an almost-eighty-year-old man in pretty good health. I have not needed long-term care for a chronic condition or for physical and/or mental decline. I also know that every medical facility is short-staffed, mainly because there is just a shortage of medical professionals at every level. I can say that, almost without exception, every contact or interaction I've had with Friendship South staff -- medical, financial, management, whatever -- has been positive. I've always been treated with courtesy and respect. Has everything I've asked for or every situation I think needs to be addressed been accomplished as quickly as I'd like? Of course not. But I know there are patients whose needs are greater and more urgent than mine. Some need almost around-the-clock attention. My experience with outpatient therapy has been overwhelmingly positive. Turnover is low. I'm still being helped by the same team of therapists who helped me two years ago. They like where they work. They are experienced and competent with a contagious positive attitude. I have come to consider them friends. And most important, what they do and have me do works! Concerning another review: not a criticism, but a clarification. Michelle P. says, "They cannot even light the fireplaces during Christmas for the permanent residents to enjoy." My understanding from conversations with staff at Friendship South is that it has no actual permanent residents; it is a skilled nursing facility where people go for temporary rehab and therapy. Friendship has several facilities in the Roanoke Valley; some are residential nursing homes. Perhaps your experience was with one of the other facilities. Yelp has the heading of this page as just "Friendship," which could contribute to some confusion. To assure myself that I was reviewing Friendship South specifically, I consulted the map on the page.

Looks can be deceiving, its a shameful place. Nurses are rude and roll eyes if you ask a question…read more The residents had thier lights on for 2 hours straight needing help. I felt sorry for anyone being in this terrible place. They cannot even light the fireplaces during Christmas for the permanent residents to enjoy. Money in the pockets of the CEO's is all I can think of. Stay clear of this place, because they let my dads foot get infected again because they did not follow doctors orders...we moved him to another rehab center. Looks can be deceiving.