Aviv Home Care

Pros

• The Brudnick Center provided incredibly compassionate and skilled care.
• The staff were friendly, caring, and knowledgeable.
• PT and OT were excellent and helped patients get moving promptly.
• The facility is clean and well-maintained, with a welcoming environment.
• Wendy Frias went above and beyond in patient care.
• Nancy at the front desk was helpful and welcoming.
• The center's staff treat residents like family and take pride in their work.
• Families felt supported and would highly recommend the center.
• The food was delicious and well-prepared.
• Transitions from hospital to facility were handled smoothly with dedicated staff.

Cons

• The nursing staff were negligent toward the patient, defensive, and unresponsive to concerns.
• The discharge summary was never received by the staff, hindering proper care.
• The patient did not receive his usual medications for several days, resulting in significant pain.
• The patient did not receive bowel medications and developed a partial ileus with respiratory distress, leading to hospital transfer.
• The patient's breathing worsened, likely due to distress from abdominal pain.
• The patient developed a fungal bloodstream infection possibly from poor IV care technique.
• Weekends were horrible because staff and management did not take action.
• The facility cannot be recommended.

Review

The Brudnick Center for Living and its associated rehabilitation unit have become a focal point for families navigating the complex world of senior care. Across many firsthand experiences, the facility is portrayed as a place of genuine compassion and skilled rehabilitation, where dedicated teams work to restore independence and comfort. Several families highlight how the setting can feel like a second home, especially for those facing mobility challenges after surgeries or injuries, while others point to gaps that can leave loved ones and their caregivers worried. Taken together, the reviews illuminate a landscape of strong positives alongside clear opportunities for improved communication and oversight.

One family's story centers on a mom who needed short-term rehabilitation after a hip fracture. The verdict was overwhelmingly positive: within 2.5 weeks, she was up and moving, and the physical therapy and occupational therapy were described as "awesome." The staff, in this account, performed with a level of professionalism and warmth that left a lasting impression on the family. The overall tone is gratitude for the care that helped her regain mobility and independence, underscoring the value of a rehab program that emphasizes early mobilization and a collaborative, patient-centered approach.

By contrast, another chapter in the extensive set of reviews details a troubling hospitalization experience for a dad treated with IV antibiotics for bacteremia. This account raises serious concerns about basic medical coordination and safety. The patient arrived without essential hospital discharge paperwork, oxygen equipment, or clear medication instructions. The nursing staff reportedly dismissed concerns about oxygen needs, arguing that his levels were adequate and suggesting the oxygen could be harmful to long-standing lung disease. The family also learned that the discharge summary had not been received by the facility, and he did not receive his usual pain medications or bowel regimens during a critical period. The result was a partial ileus and respiratory distress, eventually necessitating a transfer back to the local hospital and then a Boston hospital for further care. A fungal bloodstream infection was described as a possible consequence of IV care practices. The family felt ignored when raising concerns about abdominal pain and distress, perceiving the staff as defensive, lax, and unresponsive. These elements together paint a worrying picture of care coordination and patient advocacy during a vulnerable hospital-to-rehab transition.

Amid these contrasting experiences, another reviewer offers a glowing testimonial from their own extended stay at the Brudnick Center. This individual describes a seamless transition following knee surgery and extols the rehab team - especially the nursing staff, CNAs, and the rehab professionals - for their attentiveness and expertise. The reviewer notes that the facility's double emphasis on clinical care and emotional support made a tangible difference in recovery, with specific gratitude directed toward the people who monitored progress and answered questions at every turn. The kitchen staff earns praise for delicious meals, while the front desk is acknowledged as a friendly, welcoming touchpoint - though one reviewer also notes that a particular receptionist, GiGi, could be less consistent in person than on the phone, highlighting the important role of consistent customer service across all shifts.

Beyond individual care episodes, the Brudnick Center is widely described as a place with long-tenured staff and a broader mission aligned with a non-profit model and a range of continuum-care services. Several reviewers emphasize a culture of compassion that extends across levels of care, from short-term rehabilitation to long-term and memory-care settings. One family calls the staff "tenured" and notes that the team treats residents with a sense of family-like commitment, a sentiment reinforced by remarks about the facility's capacity for different care pathways, including adult day health, assisted living, memory care, and ongoing care throughout life's changes. In these accounts, the staff's warmth and continuity show up as a defining feature of the Brudnick experience.

There are also candid reminders that even well-regarded facilities can face operational challenges. A number of reviewers point to communication gaps, particularly around weekend staffing and coordination among departments. One commenter suggests that weekends can be difficult, with a perception that management and staff do not act with the same level of responsiveness. Another mentions that while most staff are described as friendly and caring, a few individuals - whether due to workload, shifts, or personality - might fall short of expectations. Taken together, these notes call for ongoing attention to cross-team communication, consistent patient-family updates, and smoother handoffs between hospital, rehab, and post-discharge care.

In sum, the Brudnick Center for Living and its affiliated rehabilitation unit emerge as a place of substantial strength and genuine care, where many families report meaningful improvements, compassionate interactions, and a sense of being truly looked after. The strongest testimonies repeatedly underscore the value of dedicated therapists, attentive nurses, and a workplace culture that treats residents like family. At the same time, the reviews reveal critical areas to address: ensuring complete and timely discharge documentation, maintaining rigorous medication and pain-management practices, preventing infections through meticulous IV care, and fostering a consistently respectful, responsive experience for families, especially during high-stress moments or weekend periods. For families considering Brudnick, the message is clear: the center holds real promise for recovery and comfort, but it's wise to engage closely with the care team, verify documentation and care plans, and speak up early if concerns arise. The facility's breadth of services, nonprofit ethos, and enduring staff dedication offer a strong foundation - one that can translate into outstanding outcomes when paired with vigilant communication and collaborative care.

This area of Peabody, Massachusetts offers a variety of amenities and services that may cater to senior living. There are several pharmacies in close proximity for convenient access to medications. Additionally, there are reputable physicians and hospitals nearby for healthcare needs. A selection of restaurants and cafes provides dining options, while various parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Public transportation at the MBTA Salem Station is easily accessible for travel convenience. Places of worship within the community provide spiritual support and connections. Overall, this area presents a well-rounded environment with essential resources for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant neighborhood with diverse offerings.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Microsurgical Eye Consultants (1.2 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates - Peabody-Lynnfield (1.9 miles)
• Lahey Clinic Peabody (2 miles)
• Sports Medicine North (2.1 miles)
• Eye Center of the North Shore (2.2 miles)
• NS Physicians Group (3.3 miles)
• The New England Facial and Cosmetic Surgery Center (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Childrens Hospital Peabody (1.3 miles)
• Danvers State Hospital (4.7 miles)
• Beverly Hospital (6 miles)
• Northeast Hospital Corporation (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (1.5 miles)
• Su Chang's (1.8 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.6 miles)
• Sylvan Street Grille (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Perfecto's Caffe (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.2 miles)
• Jaho Coffee & Tea (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)

Parks

• Salem Dog Park (3.6 miles)
• Salem Common (4.2 miles)
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site (4.3 miles)
• Independence Park (5.2 miles)
• Winter Island Park (5.3 miles)
• Middlesex Fells Reservation (5.4 miles)
• Melrose Common (5.8 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Salem Station (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Richard Catholic Church (3.9 miles)
• First Church Nursery School (4.1 miles)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4.1 miles)
• Lynn Spanish Branch Latter-day Saints (4.1 miles)
• Danvers Church Of The Nazarene (4.7 miles)
• Temple B'Nai Abraham (6.1 miles)