Second Family in Baltimore, MD

Second Family is an assisted living community in Baltimore, MD.

Information last verified:

4839 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

3 from 2 reviews

Overall Review of Second Family

Pros

  • pro The home health group is great.
  • pro They beat other area agencies.
  • pro They use a Nurse Coordinator to manage care.
  • pro They provide backup aides in case of call-outs.
  • pro They offer an electronic view of two-week schedules.
  • pro They show a sincere desire to make things work.

Cons

  • pro The company hires idiots.
  • pro There is someone at their door every 12 hours.
  • pro The problem is they have the wrong address.
  • pro They were caught on camera looking under the doormat for keys to break in.

Review

Second Family in Baltimore, MD is best suited for families that want a hands-on home-health partner with strong care coordination, predictable staffing, and clear accountability. The model appears to work best when a family seeks a single point of contact through a Nurse Coordinator, relies on backup aides to cover shifts, and desires visibility into a two-week schedule. In short, this agency serves households that prize continuity of care, proactive problem-solving, and a transparent flow of information over time. For families facing complex care needs or who appreciate a structured, organized approach to scheduling and oversight, Second Family can be a practical, even efficient, fit.

Those who should consider alternatives are families with heightened sensitivity to privacy and entry protocols, or anyone who cannot tolerate even the perception of misdirected visits. One review describes repeated door visits to an incorrect address and a troubling scene involving someone attempting to gain entry by peering under a mat. While such incidents appear to be isolated, they raise legitimate concerns about privacy, security, and reliability of service delivery. For households where strict adherence to address accuracy and foolproof entry procedures are non-negotiable, it is prudent to compare other agencies that emphasize verification processes, badge-controlled access, or two-person visits as standard practice.

The strongest pro-set of this agency, Nurse Coordinator involvement, backup aides, and transparent scheduling, can meaningfully offset some of the inherent fragility in home-health delivery. A dedicated nurse coordinator provides medical oversight, reduces the risk of care gaps when a caregiver calls out, and helps coordinate multiple services. The availability of backup aides means that a lapse in one caregiver does not necessarily leave the client unsupported, which is a critical advantage for families juggling medications, mobility issues, or episodic medical needs. The electronic view of a two-week schedule adds a layer of accountability and planning discipline, allowing family members to anticipate coverage, notice conflicts, and request adjustments before problems escalate. Taken together, these features create a more resilient care engine than many smaller outfits.

Yet the main drawbacks cannot be dismissed lightly. The most significant risk involves the optics and reality of entry into the home. Even a single misaddress delivery can undermine trust and raise concerns about safeguarding personal information and belongings. Additionally, the reliance on external staffing means that the quality and temperament of individual aides can vary, and without rigorous upfront vetting and ongoing supervision, the benefits of backup coverage may not fully materialize. Prospective clients should press for explicit policies: how address verification is performed, what identification is required of staff upon arrival, how access is granted (and by whom), and what steps exist if a caregiver shows up at the wrong door or at the wrong time. These details directly influence whether the reported strengths, coordination, staffing backups, and scheduling transparency, will reliably translate into safer, steadier care.

In deciding whether to move forward with Second Family, families should structure their questions around four pillars: care coordination quality, staffing reliability, schedule transparency, and security safeguards. Inquire about the Nurse Coordinator’s scope, the expected cadence of communications, and how adjustments are handled when a caregiver calls out. Confirm the policy on backup aides, including how quickly replacements can be deployed and how consistent those replacements are with the client’s care plan. Demand a demonstrable, user-friendly scheduling portal or communication routine that keeps family members apprised of changes in real time. And insist on clear, documented entry procedures, including verification steps, staff identification, and a defined protocol for addressing any entry or privacy concerns.

Overall, Second Family represents a practical option for households seeking structured, well-supported home health with strong coordination features. The rating mix, one five-star and one one-star review, totaling a modest 3 out of 5, signals that experiences vary widely and hinges on how well security, scheduling, and staffing pitfalls are managed in practice. If a family can secure robust safeguards and insist on the agency’s promised coordination framework, this provider can deliver dependable care continuity and responsive problem-solving. If not, exploring alternatives with stricter entry controls and standardized, campus-like oversight may prevent unsettling incidents and deliver greater peace of mind.

Features

Housing

  • 4 resident community capacity 4 resident community capacity

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted Living

Amenities

  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • Baltimore-Washington International (12 miles away) Baltimore-Washington International (12 miles away)

Care Services

  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Coordination with health care providers Coordination with health care providers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Transportation arrangement (medical) Transportation arrangement (medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Activities

  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities

Description

The Second Family in Baltimore, MD is an exceptional assisted living community that offers a wide range of amenities and care services to cater to the unique needs of its residents.

This community provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for seniors looking for a second home. The dining room offers delicious meals prepared by professional chefs, and special dietary restrictions can be accommodated. The apartments are fully furnished, ensuring that residents feel at ease and settled into their new space. The outdoor garden provides a serene setting for relaxation and enjoyment of nature.

Housekeeping services are included to maintain cleanliness and tidiness throughout the community. Move-in coordination is available to assist residents with the transition process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free move.

Residents can stay connected with telephone service and Wi-Fi/high-speed internet access, allowing them to communicate with loved ones or engage in online activities.

The care services provided at Second Family are dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of each resident. Trained staff members offer assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and transfers. Coordination with health care providers ensures that residents receive necessary medical attention when needed.

For those with specific health needs, diabetes diets can be implemented, and medication management is available to ensure proper administration of medications. Special dietary restrictions can also be accommodated to cater to individual preferences or allergies.

Transportation arrangement services are offered for medical appointments, helping residents reach their healthcare providers conveniently. Additionally, transportation options are available for recreational purposes or visits to nearby places of worship.

To promote an active lifestyle, Second Family organizes daily scheduled activities for residents' enjoyment and social engagement. With four cafes located nearby, residents have convenient access to local eateries where they can enjoy meals or meet friends for a coffee break. Nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

Residents benefit from close proximity to essential services within the surrounding area. With 26 pharmacies nearby, medication refills are easily accessible. Thirteen physicians in the vicinity ensure that residents have easy access to medical care. Fourteen restaurants nearby offer diverse culinary experiences, giving residents ample dining options outside the community.

Overall, Second Family in Baltimore, MD is a remarkable assisted living community that offers exceptional amenities, care services, and convenient access to essential services nearby. It strives to create a supportive and engaging environment where residents can thrive and enjoy their golden years.

Nearby Places of Interest

Pharmacies

  • CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
  • Walgreens (0.9 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.1 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
  • Walgreens (2.3 miles)
  • Rite Aid (2.4 miles)
  • Seven Mile Market (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

  • Sinai Hospital Of Baltimore (1.1 miles)
  • Lifebridge Health Campus Service (3 miles)
  • MedStar Union Memorial Hospital (3.5 miles)
  • UMMC Midtown Campus (4.2 miles)
  • GBMC (4.4 miles)
  • Sheppard Pratt Health System (4.5 miles)
  • Baltimore VA Medical Center (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

  • Mt. Washington Tavern (2.2 miles)
  • Pepe's (2.6 miles)
  • Burger King (3.1 miles)
  • McDonald's (3.8 miles)
  • McDonald's (3.8 miles)
  • Corinthian Lounge & Restaurant (3.9 miles)
  • Zen West Roadside Cantina (3.9 miles)

Cafes

  • Miss Shirley's Cafe, Roland Park (2.4 miles)
  • Starbucks (3.9 miles)
  • Dooby's (4.4 miles)
  • Ceremony Coffee Roasters (4.5 miles)
  • Starbucks (5.7 miles)

Physicians

  • University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute (2.5 miles)
  • Dr Richard A. Adler, Belcara Health Ophthalmology (2.8 miles)
  • Scottish Rite Speech & Language Center (3.2 miles)
  • Omni Eye Specialists (4 miles)
  • University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Professional Building (4.2 miles)
  • Dr Kelman Office (4.3 miles)
  • St Paul Place Specialist OB GYN (4.3 miles)

Parks

  • Lake Roland (2.6 miles)
  • Rodgers Forge Tot Lot (3.9 miles)
  • Meadowood Regional Park (5.2 miles)
  • Rash Field (5.5 miles)
  • Federal Hill Park (5.7 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church (3.7 miles)
  • Church of the Immaculate Conception (5.6 miles)

Transportation

  • Penn Station (4.1 miles)

Theaters

  • Cinemark Towson And Xd (5.8 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Second Family?

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