Cambridge VNA Network

Pros

• Extremely well managed very caring staff.
• This is a great place to live.
• Beautiful, clean, very spacious apartments and, more importantly, kind and accommodating nursing staff here.
• The nurse aides were wonderful.
• The nursing staff watched over her; Judy, RN, was so caring and thoughtful.
• The staff are very friendly and eager to help.
• The visiting nurses were right on site so they could keep a close eye on her and provide the physical therapy she needed.
• She loved it there and stayed until she passed, peacefully and surrounded by the people who loved her.

Cons

• The facility does not live up to its promises and lies to residents.
• The reviewer would not put their worst enemy in this place.
• One reviewer says the place should be shut down and is a dangerous place not to bring loved ones.
• They report that a mother got sick at night and staff left her alone, prompting a 911 call.
• The food is subpar.
• Promised wifi does not work in the apartments.
• There are too many bad things to list.
• The state needs to investigate.
• It is described as an "old age home" with a mandatory minimum of care.
• The reviewer says they walked out, something many cannot do without assistance.
• A reviewer notes a very rude receptionist.

Review

The collection of impressions attached to the VNA Assisted and Senior Living Residences in Somerville presents a broad spectrum of experiences. Some people describe the community as a place where neighbors feel connected, cared for, and genuinely engaged in daily life with plenty of social activities. Others, however, speak in urgent terms about broken promises, neglected needs, and a sense that the promises of comfort and safety never fully materialize. Taken together, the reviews sketch a complex picture of a setting that can feel like a warm, supportive home to some residents and family members, while at times falling short of expectations for others.

A tone of sharp disappointment runs through several negative voices. One reviewer argues that the facility "does not live up to promises" and accuses it of lying to residents' faces, going so far as to say they "would not put my worst enemy in here." The same speaker recounts a frightening incident when their mother became ill at night and needed 911 assistance, yet claims staff left her alone during a medical emergency. Additional grievances include subpar food, broken assurances about available amenities like Wi?Fi, and a general feeling that there are too many negative experiences to list. The exhortation to "stay away" and calls for state investigation reflect a strongly felt sense that the place is dangerous and unreliable in the most critical moments.

In stark contrast, another thread of the conversation centers on a thriving, affectionate sense of community. A resident who identifies as Evelyn Pinto writes from within the Alewife Brook Parkway location, describing a life that is lived fully among ninety-nine neighbors who are more like family. The message speaks to rich social offerings and routines - shared meals, group activities, and even a 6 p.m. card game - that help members cope with loss and aging while staying connected to each other and to their faith. It is a heartfelt portrait of "Best Neighbors and Friends" and expresses gratitude for the everyday acts of kindness and companionship that can turn an assisted living setting into a true community.

There are several very positive testimonials about the care and the people who staff the facility. One reviewer simply extols the place as "Extremely well managed" with a "very caring staff." Others praise the physical environment - beautiful, clean, and spacious apartments - and highlight the nursing team as a standout, naming Judy, Linda, and many others for their professionalism and compassion. Front desk staff, office personnel, and activities directors are repeatedly acknowledged for their helpfulness and approachability, with specific gratitude directed toward individuals like Peter, Joanne, Crystal, and Lin. The sense across these notes is that when the staff are engaged and responsive, the residence functions as a well-run home where residents feel seen and supported.

At the same time, some voices push back against the label of "assisted living" by describing the experience in harsher terms. One reviewer declines euphemism, calling the place an "old age home" and arguing that care is narrowly defined and mandated rather than genuinely individualized. This perspective carries with it a sense of resignation about autonomy and choice within the facility, and one account even characterizes the overall rating as "two stars," suggesting harsher judgments when compared to worse facilities elsewhere. Yet even in that critique, there is an acknowledgement that the experience can be positive in certain moments, including visits where a family member expresses that their loved one is thriving or at peace during support, which tempers the overall negativity.

Other entries outline mixed experiences that reflect both commendable aspects and areas needing improvement. One note celebrates a visit where the writer's mother loves the place, calls it well-kept, and describes beautifully kept interiors. There is also a vivid sense of the campus being a welcoming environment across a road from a park and river, with features like large apartments with separate bedrooms and accessible bathrooms, and a courtyard with a waterfall and koi pond that adds a sense of serenity. For families considering options, this combination of positive day-to-day life and highlighted amenities alongside cautions about management and consistency points to a place where "the best" memories often coincide with occasions when things don't go as hoped.

The most personal stories tend to focus on the care continuity and the presence (or absence) of on-site medical support. Some reviews emphasize the ability to have visiting nurses nearby for closer medical supervision and rehabilitation, which becomes a major factor in choosing this living arrangement. Others recount experiences where aides and nurses were described as wonderful, attentive, and consistently comforting, reinforcing the sense that, when care teams are cohesive and responsive, residents can live with dignity, safety, and meaningful daily routines. In contrast, other accounts raise concerns about how well those supports were delivered during emergencies or challenging moments, leaving families unsettled and searching for accountability.

Overall, the collection reads as a mixed panorama: some residents find a meaningful home and vibrant community with capable staff and well-designed spaces, while others recount serious lapses in promised care, safety, and communication. For families and prospective residents, the takeaway is nuanced. It is important to visit in person, speak with current residents and their families, tour multiple units, and ask direct questions about emergency response, care plans, staff ratios, and the availability of on-site medical services. The stories here suggest that the experience can be deeply positive when the community feels well-staffed and attentive, but can be painful and disillusioning when expectations of safety, transparency, and reliable care are not met.

Restaurants

• La Saison Bakery (0.3 miles)
• Sofra Bakery & Cafe (1.2 miles)
• Felipe's Mexican Taqueria (1.5 miles)
• Charlie's Kitchen (1.6 miles)
• Russell House Tavern (1.6 miles)
• Semolina Kitchen & Bar (1.6 miles)
• Spring Shabu-Shabu (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (1 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (2 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (3.7 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (3.7 miles)
• Bidmc Lowry Building (4 miles)
• Harvard Medical School (4.2 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Davis Square Station (1.1 miles)
• Porter Square MBTA Station (1.1 miles)
• MBTA Union Square Station (2.5 miles)
• Assembly Station (3.2 miles)
• Wellington Station (3.3 miles)
• Sullivan Square Station (3.4 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Mount Auburn Hospital (1.2 miles)
• McLean Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Boston Children's Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Grove-Cedar Bike Path (1.3 miles)
• Tufts Park (1.8 miles)
• Summer Street Dog Park (2.1 miles)
• John M. Devir Park (3.5 miles)
• Rindge Park (3.8 miles)
• Medford St Dog Park (3.9 miles)
• The Esplanade (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Rustica (1.3 miles)
• Flour Bakery + Cafe (1.5 miles)
• Forge Baking Company (1.6 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Agnes Parish-Arlington (1.8 miles)
• St Paul Parish, Harvard Square (1.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinema World Majestic 7 (2.2 miles)
• Kendall Square Cinema (3 miles)
• AMC Assembly Row 12 (3.1 miles)