Lexington

Pros

• The new social director is great.
• The woman at the main desk was nice.
• The staff is great; when you have nowhere to go this place is like home.
• This place is a life raft for those in the throws of life.
• This place helps these people who are in need.
• A friend of mine is exceptionally intelligent.
• Ms. Debbie sounds very nice.

Cons

• The facility is dirty and poorly maintained, with nasty bathrooms and a foul odor.
• Bedbugs and mice have plagued residents.
• Staff allegedly go through residents' belongings and discard items from closed drawers.
• Residents' SSI checks are allegedly mishandled or withheld by staff.
• Residents are medicated yet still symptomatic, and some can become violent.
• The place is described as a dump that should be shut down.
• Management is said to be unresponsive and unwilling to speak with residents' families.
• The facility is compared to a cheap drug-infested motel or a prison-like environment.

Review

Lexington Manor in Lakewood is a place that elicits a wide range of reactions from the people who live there, their families, volunteers, and staff. For some, it is a necessary safe harbor - a life raft for those with nowhere else to go, offering a roof over their heads, daily routines, and a chance to access services when other options are scarce. For others, it is a source of stress, frustration, and ongoing concern for safety, dignity, and basic decency. The reviews and memories shared by residents and supporters reveal a facility that functions in fits and starts: at times, there are glimmers of helpfulness and kindness; at other times, there is a pattern of neglect, mismanagement, and conditions that make daily life difficult to endure.

Cleanliness and physical conditions emerge as a central thread in many accounts. Several reviewers describe bathrooms, day rooms, and common spaces that feel dirty or poorly maintained. One person recalls a general sense of grime and a need for more thorough cleaning, while others point to specific problems like bedbugs and mice that have disrupted daily life. The building's interiors are repeatedly described as aging and not well cared for, with comments about grout needing attention and floor or wall areas that look neglected. The overall impression is of a facility that struggles to keep the environment clean, sanitary, and welcoming, which compounds the challenges residents already face.

Privacy and personal belongings are another sore point. A recurring concern is the sense that staff members may intrude into residents' personal spaces, including drawers and personal items. One resident recounts that room cleaners went through closed drawers and discarded belongings that had been kept for years, raising alarm about respect for residents' possessions and the right to privacy. The issue is closely tied to the question of advocacy: many residents do not have family able to speak on their behalf, and there are accounts of inhabitants feeling unseen or unheard when problems arise. In one aside, a friend described how difficult it was to address these issues because there was no family member or power of attorney to navigate conversations with the facility's administration.

Finances and how residents' money is handled are a frequent and troubling theme. Several comments allege that residents' SSI checks were delayed, withheld, or mismanaged for extended periods, sometimes spanning years. There are accusations that the facility or its staff hold onto residents' money, with reports of someone trying to withhold funds for a period of time, or misplacing or failing to release funds when requested. The concerns extend to prohibited or unethical behaviors around money, including a cited incident where a staff member allegedly attempted to withhold a daughter's funds. The combination of money management issues and limited opportunities to resolve them - especially when residents lack family support - creates a climate of distrust and fear regarding financial matters.

Safety, behavioral issues, and the overall atmosphere of the residence feature prominently in many reflections. Some reviewers describe residents who are medicated yet still symptomatic or volatile, including situations that have required police involvement or formal charges. Others recall a sense of disorder, with comparisons to institutions that feel prison-like or chaotic, and even vivid expressions of concern about the risk of violence. The mix of medications, mood shifts, and the presence of individuals with complex behavioral health needs contributes to a perception that safety and predictable routines are not consistently achievable. A few stories emphasize the emotional toll of living in an environment that can feel unpredictable and at times unsafe, reinforcing the demand for stronger oversight and clearer guidelines for staff and residents alike.

Amid the strong negative feedback, there are also notes of resilience and occasional positive experiences. Some residents speak highly of certain staff members and a recently appointed social director who started in the summer of 2024 and is described as "great." There are mentions of friendly interactions at the front desk and willingness from some staff to listen, assist, and connect residents with resources. One reviewer even acknowledges the place as a lifeline for those who would otherwise be on the streets, highlighting the importance of having a place to go, access to mail and basic services, and the opportunity to participate in community life through church attendance or other activities. Donors who contribute clothing, money, or time are also recognized as essential supports that keep the facility functioning and, for some residents, help maintain dignity.

Families and community members share powerful personal narratives that reveal both gratitude and grief. There are stories of relatives traveling long distances to resolve issues, of belongings being lost or delayed in being released after a loved one's death, and of the mixed feelings that come with recognizing that a long-standing home may also be a place where challenging dynamics play out daily. In conversations about loved ones who have passed away or who have lived through difficult health crises during the pandemic era, the passages of belongings, memories, and the delicate balance between care and neglect come into sharp relief. The sentiment often circles back to a plea for more transparent processes, kinder treatment of residents, and accountability for those entrusted with day-to-day care and oversight.

In sum, Lexington Manor presents a tension-filled portrait: a facility that can be a indispensable refuge for people who have few options, yet one that is frequently described as dirty, disorganized, and sometimes unsafe. The breadth of experiences - from compassionate staff and supportive programs to alleged mismanagement of money, privacy violations, and troubling living conditions - highlights a pressing need for concerted improvements. Community members, residents, and their advocates are calling for stronger enforcement of cleanliness standards, clearer and fairer procedures for handling residents' finances and belongings, more robust safety protocols, and greater accountability for administrators and staff. The hope shared by many is that with targeted reforms, the place can more consistently live up to its intended purpose: a dignified, safe, and supportive home for people at a vulnerable stage of life.

This part of Lakewood, New Jersey, offers a wide range of medical services, including specialized physicians such as infectious disease specialists and cardiologists, as well as pharmacies for convenient access to medication. The area also features a variety of dining options, from casual fast food to Japanese steakhouse cuisine. Nearby hospitals provide easy access to healthcare, while a nearby theater offers entertainment options. Additionally, there are parks for outdoor recreation and cafes for socializing over coffee. Overall, this area provides a mix of amenities that may appeal to seniors looking for convenience and quality healthcare services in their community.

Physicians

• Shore Medical Specialists (1.5 miles)
• Infectious Diseases Professionals (1.6 miles)
• Cataract & Laser Institute PA (1.6 miles)
• Dr A Gupta- Cardiologist (1.7 miles)
• Coastal Urology (2.2 miles)
• Iorio Plastic Surgery & Medspa (3.9 miles)
• Garden State Pain & Radiology Center (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Westgate Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Parkway Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)

Restaurants

• Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap (3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.5 miles)
• Wendy's (4.6 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.6 miles)
• Ikko Japanese Steak House (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Ocean Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Meridian Health System (4.5 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Brick Plaza 1 (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Windward Beach Park (6 miles)
• Angela Hibbard Dog Park (7.3 miles)
• Orchard Park (8.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (8.3 miles)
• Green Planet Coffee Co. (8.7 miles)