The Groves in Lincoln

Pros

• The visit was very pleasant and the dinner was delicious.
• The Commons offers a calm environment with good care for residents.
• The place is beloved, and smiles are everywhere.
• The facility is beautiful, clean, with a great environment and excellent customer service.
• The place is clean and nice, with ample outdoor seating to enjoy the weather.
• The apartment was bright with many windows and a fresh interior.
• The staff are friendly, accommodating, and go above and beyond to make everyone comfortable.
• The server Alina was competent, kind, and helpful.
• The staff are welcoming and the atmosphere feels like home.
• The Commons has wonderful, attentive staff and a clean, well-maintained facility.
• The food is extraordinary and the overall experience is very positive.
• The Lincoln Commons feels welcoming with a family-like atmosphere.

Cons

• Hideous inside and out, with obnoxious residents.
• The reviews describe a very negative experience due to dismissive and unfriendly aides, excessive wait times for assistance, bruising from awkward transfers, and a blood pressure cuff that was too tight.
• The wheelchair transport arrived three hours late and did not accommodate a wheelchair, forcing the patient onto a stretcher.
• The reviewer was cut off with a "Ma'am" when asking about the wheelchair arrangements, indicating poor communication.
• One reviewer stated they would not send a family member there again.
• A sock disappearance incident was noted, with socks going missing and not labeled.

Review

The Commons in Lincoln emerges in these reflections as a place that many families and residents describe as warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully run. Across numerous visits and long-term stays, people consistently highlight a calm, home-like atmosphere, well-kept grounds, and a setting that feels comfortable rather than clinical. The complex is described as quiet and relaxed enough to feel like a retreat, yet lively enough to be engaging, with outdoor seating and bright, airy interiors that make the most of good weather and natural light. Several reviewers mention newly renovated spaces and bright, spacious rooms designed with the needs of seniors in mind, contributing to an impression of freshness and care in the physical layout.

A central theme throughout the reviews is the staff and their approach to care. Families repeatedly praise the front desk and administrative team for being welcoming, patient, and professional right from the first visit or tour. The nursing and caregiving staff receive frequent compliments for their warmth, attentiveness, and dedication. One reviewer singled out the head of nursing as fantastic, while others note that the overall team - whether aides, therapists, or dining staff - are genuinely kind, considerate, and responsive to individual needs. The sense of security is also emphasized: access to residents feels tightly managed, and the staff's thoughtful presence helps both residents and visitors feel at ease.

Food and social life surface as another strong point. The on-site Lemon Pippin Cafe draws praise for accommodating service and a friendly staff that knows the regulars' preferences, going "above and beyond" to make visitors and residents comfortable. Several diners describe meals as delicious, with one person calling the food "extraordinary." Beyond nourishment, the Commons is portrayed as a social hub where staff make an effort to remember residents' preferences and create a welcoming, home-like mood. Tours and visits frequently end with positive impressions of the staff's warmth and the community's hospitality.

The living spaces themselves are repeatedly described as clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. Reviewers remark on the cleanliness of common areas and private rooms, the presence of light-filled spaces, and the positive impression of well-kept grounds. The setting is repeatedly framed as conducive to comfort and well-being, from bright, window-filled rooms to thoughtful amenities and easy navigation for visitors and residents alike. In some notes, even minor details - like the occasional small issue with belongings or logistics - are acknowledged within a broader context of overall care and cleanliness.

Several reviews touch on deeply meaningful, even emotional moments, illustrating the human dimensions of care at The Commons. A number of families express gratitude for the compassionate support provided during difficult transitions or end-of-life moments. One account describes a spouse nearing the end of life and receiving attentive, gentle care that helped both the resident and family through a painful time. In another reflection, a reviewer recounts a peaceful passing and heartfelt appreciation for staff who made those final days as comfortable as possible. These stories underscore that for many families, The Commons is not just a place to reside but a community partner during profoundly personal journeys.

Nevertheless, the collection isn't one-note. A single, strongly negative review presents a contrasting experience: dissatisfaction with staff interactions, long wait times for assistance, and safety concerns during transfers that led to bruising and a medication error by an on-call provider. The reviewer describes a late-arriving wheelchair transport that failed to accommodate a wheelchair, a miscommunication about transport arrangements, and a terse, dismissive tone when they sought reassurance. They characterize the overall experience as not representative of who the organization is supposed to be and state they would not send a family member there again. This account serves as a cautionary counterpoint, reminding readers that, as with any care setting, experiences can vary and that continued attention to responsiveness, safety, and communication is crucial.

Taken together, the reviews portray The Commons in Lincoln as a largely positive, caregiver-focused community that prioritizes warmth, cleanliness, comfort, and meaningful social engagement. The staff's commitment to residents shines through in many stories of kindness, patience, and professional competence, and the facility's environment - bright rooms, well-tended grounds, and convenient amenities - reinforces a sense of home and belonging. While most feedback is favorable and some families express profound appreciation for the care received, there is at least one account that highlights serious concerns about communication and operational reliability. For prospective families seeking a place where senior living, rehabilitation, or memory-care services are delivered with a personal touch, The Commons presents a compelling, largely favorable option, with room for ongoing improvement in areas of safety, coordination, and timely responsiveness to concerns.

Located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, this area offers a variety of amenities within a short distance. With several pharmacies such as Immunogen and CVS Pharmacy nearby, access to healthcare services is convenient. Additionally, there are numerous dining options including Verrill Farm and Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, providing a range of culinary experiences. For outdoor enthusiasts, parks like Cat Rock Park and Prospect Hill Park offer opportunities for leisurely strolls and enjoying nature. Medical facilities such as Emerson Hospital and Lahey Clinic are easily accessible for any healthcare needs. Public transportation options like MBTA Riverside Station and South Acton Mbta Commuter Rail Station make getting around the area hassle-free. Places of worship like Temple Shir Tikva cater to spiritual needs, while theaters like AMC Burlington Cinema 1 provide entertainment options for residents. Overall, this part of Lincoln offers a convenient and diverse living environment for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Pharmacies

• Immunogen (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.9 miles)
• Walgreens (5.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Verrill Farm (2.6 miles)
• Pizzi Farm Market & Deli (3.8 miles)
• Woods Hill Table (4.6 miles)
• Wendy's (4.9 miles)
• Revolution Hall (5.2 miles)
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (5.3 miles)
• Bedford Farms (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Cat Rock Park (2.9 miles)
• Prospect Hill Park (3.9 miles)
• Rindge Park (6.9 miles)
• Mary Cummings Park (7.8 miles)
• Newton Highlands Playground (9 miles)
• Natick Common (9.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Haute Coffee (3.4 miles)
• Karma Coffee (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Donelans cafe (6.9 miles)
• Pressed Cafe (7.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Emerson Hospital - Main Campus (3.7 miles)
• McLean Hospital (7 miles)
• Newton-Wellesley Hospital (7 miles)
• Lahey Clinic (7.8 miles)
• Ascendant Healthcare (9.3 miles)

Physicians

• Mersi (3.7 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (4.4 miles)
• Lahey Lexington (4.6 miles)
• Fresenius Medical Care (5.4 miles)
• Post Road Pediatrics (6.9 miles)
• Laser Gentle Medical Spa (7.2 miles)
• Acton Medical Associates (7.7 miles)

Transportation

• Hanscom Field (BED) (3.8 miles)
• MBTA Riverside Station (6.5 miles)
• South Acton Mbta Commuter Rail Station (7.4 miles)
• Framingham Logan Express (8.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Temple Shir Tikva (3.9 miles)
• Our Lady's Church (4.9 miles)
• Parish of the Messiah (6.4 miles)
• St Agnes Parish-Arlington (9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Burlington Cinema 1 (7.1 miles)
• AMC Framingham 16 (8.4 miles)
• Cinema World Majestic 7 (9.2 miles)