Cummings Health Care Facility

Pros

• The staff treats residents with dignity and respect, creating a positive environment.
• Food service is great, always prepared to the residents' liking with alternatives available.
• Residents are spoken to in a tender and loving manner by the staff.
• The atmosphere of the facility is homey and welcoming, featuring cozy living and dining areas.
• Many staff members have been there for years, indicating a stable and caring workforce.
• Family participation enhances the experience at the assisted living facility, making it one of the better options available.

Cons

• The staff is undertrained and often distracted by their phones, leading to inadequate care for residents.
• The visiting area is very dirty, creating an unpleasant environment for visitors.
• Staff members engage in inappropriate conversations within earshot of residents and visitors.
• There is a lack of proper supervision from administration, resulting in decisions that may not align with the family's wishes.

Review

The experience of care facilities can vary widely, as highlighted by two contrasting reviews of an assisted living facility in Howland, Maine. While the first review presents a troubling account of inadequate care and poor staffing practices, the second offers a positive perspective on the nurturing environment and dedicated staff that can be found within the same establishment. This dichotomy underscores the complexities often present in elder care settings, where individual experiences can differ dramatically based on numerous factors, including staff training, management oversight, and environmental conditions.

The first reviewer expressed deep dissatisfaction with the level of care their mother received in this facility. They noted that when health issues arose, there was a lack of timely or appropriate response from the nursing staff. One significant concern raised was regarding staff professionalism; it was mentioned that many employees seemed preoccupied with personal devices instead of focusing on resident care. This distraction not only inhibits their ability to provide adequate attention but also raises questions about their training and preparedness to handle emergencies or subtle changes in residents’ conditions. Moreover, the reviewer criticized the cleanliness of visiting areas and reported being able to overhear inappropriate conversations among staff members, which suggested a lack of respect for both residents and visitors alike.

In stark contrast to this negative portrayal is another review that paints a much brighter picture of the same facility. The second reviewer lauded the caring nature of the nursing staff who provide services to their grandmother. This individual emphasized that workers treat residents with dignity and respect—central tenets that any quality care facility should embody. The atmosphere described was homely and inviting, underscored by loving interactions between staff members and residents which fostered a strong sense of community within those walls.

Meal preparation was another point highlighted positively in this second review; it mentioned how food service is attentive to residents' preferences while also offering alternatives for those who have specific dietary needs or desires. This emphasis on customizable meal options demonstrates an understanding and responsiveness to individual resident needs—a factor crucial for maintaining both physical well-being as well as emotional happiness in assisted living situations.

However, even amidst these commendable observations about staff performance and environment dynamics, there were concerns voiced about administrative oversight within the facility. The second reviewer pointed out that decisions made by administration sometimes do not align with what families might want or expect for their loved ones if they are not actively involved in discussions about care plans or policies affecting their relatives’ lives. This highlights an important aspect: while direct care may thrive under compassionate staff interactions, systemic issues involving managerial strategies must also be addressed to ensure holistic quality improvement.

Ultimately, these opposing accounts reflect broader themes prevalent in many assisted living facilities today—issues related not only to hands-on caregiving but also encompassing management practices that impact overall family engagement in resident welfare decisions. For families considering placing their loved ones into such facilities or those currently navigating similar situations elsewhere, these reviews serve as critical reminders to investigate thoroughly before making commitments—to seek out environments where both caregivers’ competence and administrative accountability shine brightly together for optimal resident experiences.

In conclusion, geriatric care remains an incredibly nuanced field where personal stories illuminate significant challenges alongside examples of excellent practice environments. It is essential for potential residents’ families to recognize these disparities when evaluating options so they can advocate effectively for their loved ones' best interests—ensuring safety, dignity, respect—and ultimately fostering communities where elderly individuals can thrive during later chapters of life.

Places of Worship

• Howland Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• St Leo's Church (0.7 miles)
• Howland United Methodist Church (1 miles)
• West Enfield Church of God (1 miles)
• Enfield Baptist Church (4.8 miles)
• Lincoln Christian Fellowship (8 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (8.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Ninety Five Market-Diner (1 miles)
• 105 Restaurant & Lounge (1 miles)
• The Montague (1.2 miles)
• The Montague (1.2 miles)
• Trapier's Steak and Seafood (1.2 miles)
• Ronitas Take Out (5.5 miles)
• Pit Road Concessions (9.6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (8.5 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.7 miles)
• Lincoln Regional Airport (LRG) (10.1 miles)
• Central Maine & Quebec Railway (15 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (15.2 miles)
• Meister's Wildlife Studio (21.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (22.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Penobscot Valley Hospital (9.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (9.9 miles)
• Walgreens (21.9 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (22.4 miles)
• New England Reserve (23.2 miles)
• Corrado's Pharmacy of Corinth (24.6 miles)
• Community Pharmacies (24.9 miles)

Parks

• Lincoln Town Recreation Bllrd (11 miles)
• Prince Thomas Park (11.1 miles)
• Prince Thomas Park (11.1 miles)
• Margueritte Flanders Playground (11.4 miles)
• Pyper's Playland (12.8 miles)
• Milo Recreation Department (15.3 miles)
• Old Town Park (21.7 miles)

Physicians

• Milo Family Practice (15.9 miles)
• Landry Terese Fnp (16 miles)
• Helen Hunt Health Center (22 miles)
• Gaetani Eye Care Associates (22.6 miles)
• Corinth Family Medicine (24.7 miles)

Cafes

• Aroma Joe's (24.8 miles)
• Robinson's Country Cafe (24.8 miles)