Brookdale

Very nice place. Friendly residents and staff, [name removed] took us on the tour. Two meals per day, casual dining. No buy-in. No skilled nursing. Must move past when you go from indept to assisted.

Brookdale Florence is the friendliest assisted living I toured for my husband. The sales manager, [name removed], is especially complimentary and goes out of her way to make my husband's life enjoyable there. Most staff are also very nice, but sometimes my husband has to wait a while to get bathroom-related services. [Name removed], the on-site nurse, is also genially concerned about my husband's health. However, try to avoid being sent to Virtual Memorial Hospital at all cost because you would have to pay not only the basic rate to hold your room but also any service costs even though you or your loved one would not get to use any services at Brookdale while in a hospital. They told me they staff the services in advance - so they have to charge service costs during resident's hospitalization. I do not agree with their explanation because they had the same number of service staff even before my husband's moved in. My husband ended up dying at [removed] which is one of a few hospitals in NJ with an in-patient hospice unit ([removed]). I now question whether doctors at the hospital were too aggressive in their treatments and recommendations of a patient like my husband for hospice. Anyhow, I wish my husband had had a longer life so that he could have lived longer at Brookdale Florence which he liked.

They could do a better job at cleaning the room. Carpet is very dirty.

Mom is like a seenager at camp. She thinks her room is so special and has developed special friendships. She feels safe and comfortable and has excellent rapport with the staff and feels they truly care about her. She wishes there were more activities for mental stimulation. However there has been a transition in that they were temporarily without an activity director and hopefully that will be addressed. When I visit the residents are always excited to see me and love that I eat with them and attend their programs. They converse about the people that come and give their time to be with them.

The Staff, [name removed] was a delight. She greeted me promptly and was very courteous. She provided me with information - not pushy and understood the process of a loved one trying to make this important decision.

Very nice. Friendly environment. The grounds are not fenced and I was worried that my Mom could get lost if she went out the front door. Otherwise, the living space and the amenities are exactly what I am looking for.

Smaller than [removed], but seemed warm and inviting. Many activites for memory care residents. Rooms small, but large enough. Activity room had computer generated activities and many selections. A staffer needs to work the PC for sure. I would consider it for my loved one

I find the staff to be very friendly and helpful. They are always there when we need them. The director has been very helpful! I like to live here and enjoy my beautiful room.

We loved this community...one of the top places on our list

[Name removed] was a helpful tourguide and I could see that Brookdale was clean and there seem--ed to be adequate staffr in the memory wing dining area--it was lunch time there. It is so convenient to my home.

overall nice facility; however room sizes are a little small and I think at this time my mother is still independent enough that she could be in an independent living facility

[Name removed] was great, very understanding. Place seems nice although could use some updating and some areas I understand are getting that. The studio is way too small. One bedroom is large enough. The menu looks very good.

The staff was informative and friendly. The facility was nice, just not the one we were looking for.

Loved the community. [Name removed] was wonderful and the location was high on Mom's list of requirements. the tour was very nice and the occupants seemed very nice as well. this establishment was in the running and it was up to Mom to decide.

Very nice facility.

We really like it here and think we will be moving Mom here. They have a new director and I think he will make a difference here.

This facility is big on community and personality but small on common area space. You need to feel really comfortable being in close quarters with others all day. The grounds were lovely, offering a great opportunity to get out and experience nature on a regular basis, something the facility we ended up choosing doesn't have at all (and I hope they will correct.) Drawbacks here were also that, while a wheelchair could technically get into an Assisted Living apartment, maneuvering would be difficult as the units were not designed to be fully handicap-accessible (it was originally all Independent Living.) The other drawback was the need to evacuate for a direct hit - sheltering in place is not an option as it is with facilities built to the new standards. We toured the Memory Care unit and found it cramped, dark, and odorous on the day we visited. However, it is within the main facility so could be very good for one spouse with mobility issues to visit the memory care spouse. They do have what sounds like a pleasant daily routine with the residents, taking them out for nature walks, etc. every day and generally avoiding keeping them cooped up in the space. The staff of the main facility were VERY friendly, as were the residents! The residents were by far the most outgoing, friendly people we met anywhere. I loved "Happy Hour Bingo!" The ladies were having a grand time with their wine and bingo game. I also loved that the beach and a great waterfront state park were just a couple of miles away. Ultimately another facility was closer to family, but this was definitely in our top three.

PRIVATE PAY ONLY. Nice community in a quiet setting near botanical gardens.

a bit dated - step from dining to living area, small but full kitchen w/dishwasher would need the 2 bedroom fro sure.

A nice place to live. Very nice employees. Lots of activity