Colonial Hill Center

Pros

• The nurses at Birch Healthcare Center were described as wonderful, lovely people who provided care and kept families informed about their loved ones’ well-being.
• The facility appeared to be well-maintained despite being older, and the gardens suggested a pleasant environment during warmer months.
• Some staff members were noted to be very responsive and helpful, contributing positively to the overall experience for certain residents and families.
• Families appreciated the cooperative nature of the staff during conference calls, reflecting a willingness to assist with communication and understanding patient needs.
• A specific mention highlighted that some staff members were caring and committed to providing support for residents in their care.

Cons

• The facility had poor care from most staff members, with some being rude and unresponsive to patient needs.
• Residents experienced long wait times for assistance, sometimes up to an hour for basic needs like a bed pan.
• The nursing home had issues with medication availability, leaving patients without necessary prescriptions for days.
• The quality of food served was described as disgusting by residents.
• There were concerns about the inadequate management of heat distribution in patient rooms, leading to uncomfortable living conditions.
• Patients were reportedly treated roughly and without consideration for their dignity or needs.
• There were allegations of neglect, including instances where residents were allowed to lie in urine and feces for extended periods.
• Family members expressed frustration over communication issues and decision-making processes that excluded them.
• Reviewers noted a lack of proper supervision and oversight within the facility, contributing to its poor operation.

Review

The experiences shared by families regarding Birch Healthcare Center serve as a stark illustration of the complexities and challenges faced within long-term care facilities. While some reviewers highlighted positive interactions with staff and recognized their genuine efforts in providing care, others painted a deeply troubling picture of neglect, poor management, and inadequate resources. This dichotomy raises important questions about the consistency of care and operational standards at this facility.

One family recounted their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic when their mother-in-law stayed at Birch Healthcare Center. Although they were unable to visit her directly due to health protocols, they made every effort to connect through window visits. Unfortunately, these attempts were hampered by her legal blindness and significant hearing impairment, rendering communication nearly impossible. The family was grateful for the nurses’ support; they communicated regularly with them, noting that several staff members showed compassion and dedication in keeping them informed about the resident's welfare. However, despite the individual attentiveness from certain nurses, there remained a sense of unease surrounding the conditions within the center.

In contrast to these positive interactions were alarming reports from other families who shared harrowing accounts of inadequate care for their loved ones. One emphasized an unsettling environment characterized by chaotic sounds—residents screaming for help and incessant alarms ringing out—a setting that seemed far removed from the tranquility one would expect in a healthcare facility designed for vulnerable populations. Family members expressed anxiety over used toiletries being provided alongside broken equipment like cracked basins. Alarmingly, it was reported that medications were not administered timely; vital prescriptions had to be ordered after patients had already arrived at the facility without assurance that essential treatments would be available.

Food quality also drew criticism across multiple reviews, with one family describing it as "disgusting." Such reflections on dietary provisions further compound concerns about overall patient satisfaction and health outcomes at Birch Healthcare Center. Another indication of mismanagement emerged from descriptions of subpar environmental conditions: residents’ rooms being inadequately heated required doors to remain open during winter months—a direct oversight perhaps indicative of broader systemic issues related to staffing shortages or ineffective management practices.

Moreover, frustrations escalated concerning communication protocols within the facility itself; there appeared to be confusion over decision-making authority when it came to contacting residents' families. Reviewers noted instances where non-relatives made crucial decisions affecting familial contact without proper oversight or accountability from supervisors said to be on duty—or perhaps just vague notions of such roles even existing in a structured manner.

While some individuals praised particular staff members as responsive and professional—expressing gratitude for their assistance—the overwhelming sentiment among many reviewers was one steeped in disappointment with care quality. A particularly disturbing account involved an elderly grandmother allegedly left neglected for extended periods under unsanitary conditions which led her family to intervene urgently before more serious harm could result.

Ultimately, these mixed reviews culminate into an urgent call for reform within Birch Healthcare Center itself. Families have implored regulatory entities such as New Hampshire’s health department—urging inspections into care practices amid claims suggesting that not only is individual resident safety compromised but also dignity jeopardized through negligent treatment approaches taken by portions of its workforce. As personal narratives unfurl amidst evidence presented herein; prospective families exploring long-term care options should proceed with caution when considering this particular facility—given alarming trends signaling inadequate attention toward both basic needs fulfillment alongside dignified human interaction essential within eldercare environments today.

Physicians

• Rochester Eye Care Associates (0.2 miles)
• Rochester Obstetrics & Gyn (0.3 miles)
• Rochester Infectious Disease (0.4 miles)
• Surgical Associates of Rochester (0.4 miles)
• Rochester Family Practice (0.8 miles)
• Frisbie Rehab Services (1 miles)
• Rochester Pediatric Assoc (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Frisbie Memorial Hospital (0.4 miles)
• Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.8 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (7.4 miles)

Restaurants

• KFC (1 miles)
• China Palace Restaurant (1 miles)
• My Cielo Taqueria (1.1 miles)
• Wild Willy's Burgers (1.3 miles)
• Lilac City Grille (1.4 miles)
• Revolution Taproom & Grill (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• Pharmacy Hannaford (2 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.4 miles)
• Care Pharmacy (5.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Aroma Joe's (1.4 miles)
• Aroma Joes (3.4 miles)
• Aroma Joe's Coffee (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Aroma Joes (6.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church (1.8 miles)
• Next Level Church (2.7 miles)
• Christian Fellowship USA (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Town of Farmington (7.1 miles)
• Guppey Park (7.7 miles)
• Bellamy Park (8.5 miles)