Dignity in the Golden Years in Hackensack, NJ

Pros

• The receptionist was knowledgeable and very helpful.
• The sign in and sign out protocol is easy.
• Finding rooms was not hard at all.
• The place was extremely clean with a cozy atmosphere.
• The nurses were helpful.
• It was a very nice place for recovery.
• The staff was friendly and welcoming.
• They could speak with the social worker without an appointment.
• Overall, it was a very good experience.
• The administrator RJ is an exceptional person who runs the facility very well.
• It is one of the best nursing homes; the staff greeted visitors with a smile, and the building was clean.
• They spent a week and a half there and had great care and service; the staff were excellent.

Cons

• The facility is described by a reviewer as horrible.
• The review states that no one answers the phone while staff are on their cellphones.
• Residents are left in soiled diapers for hours, according to the review.
• The facility is described as severely understaffed and lacking supplies.
• The food is described as horrible and not diabetic-friendly.
• The rooms smell terrible even after cleaning.
• The building is depicted as outdated, unsanitary, and run down.
• An elevator was broken for almost the entire stay and the staff were stretched thin.
• There is a lack of communication within the facility.
• The management is accused of faking reviews and not meeting health standards.

Review

Dignity in the Golden Years in Hackensack is best suited for families prioritizing strong short-term rehabilitation and a warm, professional care vibe. The community consistently delivers solid nursing oversight, empathetic PT/OT services, and a clean, orderly environment that makes recovery feel achievable. For residents emerging from surgery, a stroke event, or other acute episodes who need an attentive rehab focus and a hopeful path back home, this facility often earns tangible gains in strength, balance, and independence. The atmosphere is welcoming, with staff who greet visitors and a hub of activity and interaction that can help residents feel engaged during recovery. The bottom line: this is a practical choice for rehab-forward care, where progress is real and the staff approach is often commendable.

On the caregiving front, the strongest leverage comes from the revolving door of capable clinicians and a management team that earns praise for professionalism. Several reviews highlight exceptionally caring nurses, dedicated CNAs, and therapists who “go above and beyond” to move patients toward their goals. The administrator is repeatedly singled out as effective, organized leadership, and the building’s cleanliness and upkeep are frequently noted as strengths. Residents and visitors alike frequently remark on a supportive social-work presence, accessible reception, and a facility that feels orderly and patient-centered. When the rehab team is clicking, outcomes improve markedly, with families reporting that loved ones regain strength, regain confidence, and feel safe during their stay.

Yet the positives do not erase the more troubling threads that appear in a substantial portion of feedback. The most consequential concerns center on staffing consistency and workflow. Several accounts describe long waits for basic needs, diaper changes, bathroom access, or staff responses, which, in turn, raise questions about reliability during peak times or on certain shifts. Messages about supply shortages, empty or delayed essential items, and inconsistent communication between day and night teams underscore a pattern that can undermine perceived quality of care even when individual caregivers shine. In a few reviews, residents’ rooms and common areas carry a stale or overwhelmed impression, and even routine comforts like meals or coffee access are flagged as inconsistent, varying with the day. These patterns matter, because in practice they can blunt the otherwise strong rehab edge the staff often demonstrates.

There is also a meaningful caution about long-term residency under current conditions. Several reviewers describe the facility as outdated in parts of its structure and infrastructure, with carpeting in patient rooms and some aging amenities that may not meet expectations for a modern senior living setting. A few families report more severe failures, instances of delayed or inadequate diaper changes, odors, or safety concerns, that point to systemic understaffing and management gaps rather than individual negligence. For families choosing between options, these experiences suggest that while short-term rehab can be excellent, extended stays require careful scrutiny of staffing consistency, maintenance, and daily operations. In other words, the care quality seems highly variable and highly dependent on shifts, teams, and management priorities.

Given the mix, alternatives deserve explicit consideration for families guided by reliability as the top priority. Those who want a consistently steady day-to-day experience, with predictable response times and fewer gaps in supplies and communication, may find more consistent value elsewhere. Similarly, families needing pervasive, long-term medical oversight, stronger adherence to modern facility standards, or a building that feels uniformly updated may want to compare other Hackensack options. The reviews clearly differentiate between a rehab-focused environment that can deliver strong physical recovery and a broader long-term care setting where ongoing daily care and the resident’s daily comfort require an unbroken, well-supported system. In short, consider alternatives if stability, uniform staffing, and a consistently fresh facility feel matter most.

For families touring this community, use a targeted checklist: observe a shift in action; request time with the therapy team to understand rehabilitation plans; ask about staffing ratios by unit and time of day; probe supply management and response times for urgent needs; inquire about the dining program, diabetic accommodations, and the availability of coffee or visitor amenities. Seek candid input from multiple frontline staff and from families currently navigating a stay, and press for specifics on any prior safety or odor concerns. If the tour reveals a strong rehab program, attentive caregivers, and a clean, welcoming environment with clear lines of communication, Dignity in the Golden Years can become a compelling choice. If not, it’s prudent to pivot toward options with more consistent operational coherence and a more uniformly modern feel.

Ultimately, the facility earns credibility for rehab excellence, kindness from many staff members, and a genuine patient-first ethos when the stars align on staffing and communication. The gap between exceptional clinical care and day-to-day operational reliability is the deciding variable. For families where rehab outcomes and a hopeful recovery trajectory are the priority, this community often delivers meaningful progress and a reassuring atmosphere. For those who cannot tolerate the risk of inconsistent responses, delayed care, or older-infrastructure concerns, pursuing alternatives with a steadier staffing model and more uniform modern amenities is a prudent course. The choice hinges on balancing the clear potential for strong rehabilitation against the real-world gaps that, in practice, can shape every resident’s day.

This part of Hackensack, New Jersey offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians within a few miles radius, medical care and services are easily accessible. Additionally, there are various dining options including McDonald's, Houston's, and The Capital Grille, as well as cafes like Bogota Press Cafe and Starbucks for socializing and enjoyment. For recreation and relaxation, there are several parks nearby such as Van Saun County Park and Rutherford Memorial Park. Places of worship like Bais Torah U'tefilah and Community Church Of Glen Rock provide spiritual support for residents. The area also has good transportation options with multiple subway stations within a short distance for easy travel around the city. Overall, this part of Hackensack offers a well-rounded community with amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and vibrant lifestyle.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Houston's (1.8 miles)
• The Capital Grille (2.4 miles)
• Sportsmans' Tavern (2.7 miles)
• Suburban Diner (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Bogota Press Cafe (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Kuppi Coffee Company (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (1.9 miles)
• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (2.3 miles)
• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (5.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Holy Name Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (5.8 miles)
• Milstein Hospital Building (6.7 miles)
• Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion (6.9 miles)
• The Valley Hospital (7.1 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (7.2 miles)
• NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital (7.5 miles)

Parks

• Van Saun County Park (3 miles)
• Rutherford Memorial Park (4.4 miles)
• Flat Rock Brook Nature Center (4.7 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (4.9 miles)
• Saddle River County Park (5.8 miles)
• J. Hood Wright Park (6.6 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bais Torah U'tefilah (4.5 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (4.7 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (4.8 miles)
• Community Church Of Glen Rock (6.3 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (6.4 miles)
• The Riverdale Minyan (7.5 miles)

Physicians

• Park Medical Group PA (6.1 miles)
• Paterson Community Health Center (6.6 miles)
• Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital (6.8 miles)
• Kayal Orthopedic - Westwood (7.2 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Hawthorne Station (6.4 miles)
• MTA Subway - 181st St (6.6 miles)
• MTA Subway - 190th St (6.8 miles)
• MTA Subway - 168th St (6.9 miles)
• MTA Subway - Dyckman St (7.1 miles)
• MTA Subway - Inwood/207th St (7.2 miles)
• Metro North - Riverdale Station (7.6 miles)