Medical Behavioral Hospital of Mishawaka

“This facility should be shut down and its license revoked. It has taken six months to calm down enough to write about the nightmare my father and I endured here. Whatever you do, DO NOT allow a loved one to be transferred to this facility. In November, my father developed a common infection causing hallucinations. He was incorrectly placed on a hold, misdiagnosed with a disorder he has never had, and I spent five weeks fighting to get him released from what is less a healthcare facility and more a warehouse for vulnerable people. While returning to Indiana from a work trip, I repeatedly called to speak with him. One employee told me to call back later. Another insisted my father was not there despite him being in the facility the entire time. After being hung up on, I left numerous messages until Emily, the CEO, finally called me. Repeated apologies for staff failures became a recurring theme throughout our interactions. Guest-facing staff were rude and unwelcoming. Living conditions were appalling. They would not let my father walk even though he was capable, instead confining him to a wheelchair and labeling him a fall risk. I repeatedly expressed concerns about muscle loss, but those concerns were ignored. Other patients appeared visibly unkempt, the unit was cold, and the food was shockingly poor. When I asked whether patients could spend time outdoors, I was told there was no courtyard despite what was adequate space for one. Everything about the facility gave the impression comfort, dignity, and quality of life were afterthoughts. My father's assigned caseworker, Yesenia, provided virtually no assistance. Communication from doctors and staff was nonexistent despite repeated attempts to obtain information. When insurance coverage was nearing its end, no guidance was provided regarding placement options, forcing me to navigate the process entirely on my own. Throughout this time, my father was over-medicated and was prescribed medications commonly used for schizophrenia despite not having schizophrenia. The most disturbing discovery came when a long-term care facility shared records showing chart notes described him as suicidal and psychotic. Those statements were completely inconsistent with his history and were untrue. After I contacted Emily, she acknowledged the notes were inaccurate and should never have been entered, proving negligence. The records were eventually corrected, but only after a potential placement opportunity had already been lost. Months later, I received around $42K in denied insurance claims. When I returned seeking records to support my appeal, neither Emily nor Yesenia would meet with me despite weeks of calls and emails. After three weeks, I finally received 700 pages of records. Thankfully, a compassionate insurance representative helped reduce the bill to under $2K. The facility documented on December 4 that my father would not improve further under their care. That same day, a long-term care facility denied him admission because of the negligent charting entered earlier. Had those records been accurate from the start, he likely would have been transferred immediately. Instead, he remained there for 11 additional days while thousands of dollars in charges accumulated. My father is now safe in a facility staffed by people who demonstrate compassion and professionalism. The contrast is staggering. This review is a warning. What I witnessed was a facility where vulnerable patients appeared to be treated as insurance claims rather than human beings. One staff member even remarked that we needed to move quickly because insurance coverage was running out. That statement told me everything I needed to know. I will be contacting the Ombudsman and have consulted an elder care attorney. In my opinion, this facility, its leadership, and its parent company deserve scrutiny from regulators immediately. Our seniors and every human being deserve better. If your loved one ends up here, be prepared for the fight of your life. Prayers to those currently struggling with this awful facility.”

“I am writing this review out of deep concern and frustration regarding the care my grandmother received at this facility. My grandmother was admitted to this hospital, and within just 16 hours, she passed away. What makes this situation even more distressing is not only the suddenness of her death, but the lack of communication, transparency, and support we have received since. From the moment we began asking questions, it has felt incredibly difficult to get clear, direct answers about what happened during her time there. Basic information has been delayed, unclear, or not provided at all. For a family grieving such a sudden loss, this lack of responsiveness only adds to the pain and raises serious concerns. We understand that mental health facilities can be complex environments, and that patients may have serious conditions. However, that does not excuse the apparent lack of urgency, accountability, and compassion shown to our family. Losing a loved one under any circumstances is devastating—but losing someone so quickly after admission, without clear explanations, is deeply troubling. At this point, the situation feels suspicious to us. We are not being given the clarity or reassurance that any family deserves after such a loss. We expect transparency in patient care, especially when outcomes are this severe. I strongly urge the administration to review this case thoroughly and to improve how they communicate with families during critical situations. No family should be left in the dark after something like this. We are still seeking answers, and until we receive them, we cannot recommend this facility to others.”

“My family member ended up stuck at this place for 10 days. She had no individual therapy, very little group therapy and no access to fresh air. There seemed to be no treatment plan or goals. The NP, Theresa Carrier, is one of the least empathetic and most punitive peopleI have ever met. I believe she was kept here 10 days because of the insurance money. We repeatedly asked to sign an AMA. We repeatedly asked to have her information shared with the family physician and were not given these items. The only positive I can give is that some of the attendants were nice. I strongly discourage anyone from going to this facility.”

“I don’t even know where to start, because trying to process this has been overwhelming. My grandmother was admitted to this facility and gone within hours. Our family is still in shock. Losing someone that quickly is devastating on its own, but what’s made it harder is how little clarity we’ve been given about what actually happened while she was in their care. We’ve asked questions, and instead of getting straightforward answers, we’ve been met with confusion, delays, or silence. It shouldn’t be this difficult to understand the circumstances surrounding a loved one’s death. Grief is already heavy. Not knowing the full truth makes it heavier. At this point, there needs to be a full and thorough investigation into what happened. No family should be left in the dark like this, and there needs to be accountability. No family should be left feeling this lost after something like this. At the very least, there should be clear communication, compassion, and honesty. Right now, it feels like we’ve been left to put the pieces together on our own. I’m sharing this because people deserve to know what they might face, and because families deserve better than this during one of the worst moments of their lives.”