Phillips Strickland House in Bangor, ME

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Pros

• Residents and staff make newcomers feel welcome.
• The meals are good and nutritious, and the staff are supportive and kind.
• Pets may visit, allowing families to bring their dog for visits.
• The facility helps residents stay safer and maintain their independence.
• The mother loves the staff and everything there.
• The elderly residents are well taken care of there.
• There is fine cuisine and excellent care in a beautiful facility.
• The place is warm and inviting.
• The staff are dedicated.
• There are lots of activities and amenities.

Cons

• It was a great place until it wasn't, due to a grandmother who fell and waited two hours for help.
• The staff's slow response was criticized as unacceptable, called a "zero excuse" for being short-staffed.
• The policy of not allowing pets to live there is viewed as a downside.
• "Shame on them" was directed at the staff for the delay.

Review

Phillips Strickland House in Bangor is best suited for seniors who want to preserve independence while gaining dependable help with daily tasks, meal preparation, housekeeping, and social engagement. It works well for residents who value a warm, homelike atmosphere where staff know families by name and encourage active participation in daily life. The combination of practical services with a comfortable, charming setting makes it a solid bridge between living at home and full assisted living. Prospective residents should, however, weigh the policy on living pets, since four-legged companions cannot reside on-site even though visits are permitted.

On balance, the strongest selling points are the people and the program around daily living. Families repeatedly praise staff for support, kindness, and a sincere willingness to help, which translates into a welcoming, respectful environment. The dining program earns consistent kudos for good, nutritious meals that sustain energy for activities and independence. The facility itself reads as well-kept and aesthetically pleasing, with a setup designed to support autonomy, adequate common spaces, accessible rooms, and a calendar filled with activities and opportunities to connect. For families prioritizing relational warmth and reliable day-to-day care, these elements reliably undergird peace of mind.

Yet no review set is without caveats, and Phillips Strickland House confronts credible concerns about urgent responsiveness. The most troubling issue cited is delays in help after a fall or emergency, with at least one case describing a two-hour wait for assistance. While staff dedication is acknowledged by many, the implication that staffing levels or communication may fail in critical moments cannot be ignored. This creates a clear tension: the overall culture feels supportive, but the systems for rapid incident response require scrutiny and proactive fixes to ensure safety at all hours.

Because of that tension, families who require constant, immediate supervision or who must keep a beloved pet live on-site should consider alternatives. The pet policy itself is a potential hurdle for animal lovers who want residents to have their companion under the same roof, not merely during visits. Those seeking more intensive medical oversight, specialized memory care, or around-the-clock nursing support may find other Bangor options with stronger clinical staffing more suitable. Prospective residents should compare care levels, nurse availability, and the reliability of call systems alongside cost and space when evaluating choices.

Even with the caveats, the overall value proposition holds: Phillips Strickland House typically delivers a solid, well-rounded experience. The community’s 4.4 rating from 28 reviews signals broad satisfaction, with families citing a thriving social fabric, dependable meals, and genuine care from staff. The blend of independence with practical support reduces daily burdens for families while preserving routines and dignity for residents. The historic charm and active calendar add enduring appeal, creating a sense of belonging that often justifies a move from home life to assisted living, provided expectations around urgent response are clarified and monitored.

The bottom line is practical and decisive: Phillips Strickland House is a strong, viable option for seniors in Bangor who can benefit from assisted-living-like support while maintaining autonomy, and who are comfortable with a non-live-on-site pet policy. For families, the next concrete steps are essential: schedule a tour with explicit questions about emergency response protocols, shift coverage, and how falls are managed; speak with current residents and families about actual call-response times; confirm the exact terms of the pet policy and any possible exceptions for visits. If those factors align, this community warrants serious consideration; if not, search for alternatives that offer more robust, guaranteed immediacy in care and pet-friendly on-site living.

This part of Bangor, Maine, offers a diverse range of services and amenities that cater to senior living. With a variety of restaurants nearby such as Frank's Bake Shop & Catering and Pepino's Mexican Restaurant, residents can enjoy delicious meals close to home. The area also features several pharmacies including Miller Drug and Northern Light Pharmacy for convenient access to medications and health supplies. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians like Bangor Family Healthcare and hospitals like Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems within close proximity. Additionally, the presence of parks like Chapin Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The availability of cafes, theaters, transportation options, and places of worship further enhance the quality of life in this neighborhood for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community with ample resources.

Restaurants

• Frank's Bake Shop & Catering (0.1 miles)
• Pepino's Mexican Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• The Tarratine (0.3 miles)
• Orono Brewing Company (0.3 miles)
• Hero's Sports Grill & Entertainment Center (0.4 miles)
• Jimmie's Ice Cream & Grill (0.5 miles)
• Main Tavern (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Miller Drug (0.1 miles)
• Northern Light Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Byard (0.1 miles)
• Miller Drug Pharmacy-Riverside (0.6 miles)
• Shaw's Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• Bangor Family Healthcare (0.2 miles)
• David A Branch (0.2 miles)
• Joseph Lawrence Benoit (0.3 miles)
• Sleep Diagnostics at Eastern Maine Medical Center (0.3 miles)
• Heritage Psychiatric Associates (0.5 miles)
• Pediatrics Specialty Services-Emmc (0.6 miles)
• EMMC Infectious Disease Professional Services (0.6 miles)

Parks

• Chapin Park (0.3 miles)
• City of Bangor Parks & Recreation (1.3 miles)
• Bangor Dog Park (1.5 miles)
• Brewer Off Road Park (2 miles)

Hospitals

• Sleep Center of Maine (0.3 miles)
• Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (0.3 miles)
• EMMC - Outpatient Surgery Center (0.6 miles)
• EMMC - Grant 6 West (0.7 miles)
• Northern Light Eastern Maine (0.7 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital (0.8 miles)
• St Joseph Healthcare Park (0.8 miles)

Cafes

• West Market Square Artisan Coffeehouse (0.4 miles)
• Tim Hortons (1.4 miles)

Theaters

• Queen City Cinema Club (0.5 miles)
• Bangor Mall Cinemas 10 (1.7 miles)

Transportation

• Uhaul (0.6 miles)
• Dick's Taxi (1.4 miles)
• Central Maine & Quebec Railway (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Clearwater Spiritualist Church (0.8 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1.5 miles)