Home Away From Home

Pros

• The place is amazing and the staff are friendly.
• The center feels like home for its visitors.
• It is the best and blessed place.
• The center is lovely and helps people make friends.
• The staff are friendly and welcoming to everyone.
• It is a great place for frail elderly and disabled to thrive with good activities and medical supervision.
• The employees at the Center are very nice and friendly, especially the drivers.
• It is a great place to send family members, with an upbeat and friendly vibe.
• The staff genuinely care for the clients, as shown by the smiles on their faces.
• It is a great place for those who want to feel at home, with a friendly, comfortable and diverse environment.

Cons

• One reviewer described the service as terrible and stated that the driver did not care.

Review

The collection of thoughts about this center paints a consistent picture of a place that feels less like a program and more like a home away from home. Across the reviews, the staff emerge as the heart of the experience: friendly, welcoming, and genuinely invested in the well-being of the people they serve. One reviewer simply sums it up by calling it an amazing place where the staff are "so friendly," and the sentiment is echoed again and again with phrases like "I love all of them" and "Everyone is so friendly here." The overarching tone is warmth, belonging, and appreciation for the everyday kindness that shapes a positive day for participants and their families.

The idea of belonging runs through multiple entries. Several writers describe the center as a place that you want to be, a space where you still feel at home even when you're away from your actual residence. Phrases such as "It's been a place to be when you still feel you are home" convey a sense of comfort and continuity that many day programs strive to provide. Reviewers repeatedly mention the overall atmosphere as "amazing," "best and blessed," and "lovely," underscoring a shared impression that the environment is not only accommodating but elevating - where people can relax, socialize, and feel cared for.

Loyalty and stability also feature prominently. One reviewer highlights their unwavering commitment, noting that they "have never changed daycare since I came here." The sense of trust is reinforced by news of a new staff member, Xiao Yi A, introduced on June 1, with the hopeful wish that both the family and the center will prosper for a long time. This combination of continuity and thoughtful onboarding signals that the center values long-term relationships, not just short-term interactions, which is a common hope among families seeking reliable care.

The community aspect is a strong thread in the feedback. Several comments emphasize that the center is "a lovely place for all of us" and that having a "lot of friends here" contributes to a positive experience. The center isn't depicted as a passive space; rather, it's described as a thriving environment where activities, social connections, and a sense of normalcy come together. Reviews mention the presence of activities and medical supervision as key elements that help frail elderly and disabled individuals flourish in their later years, reinforcing the idea that the program is designed to support independence and meaningful engagement, not just supervision.

Appreciation for staff and drivers stands out as a distinctive strength. Reviewers repeatedly note that "the employees at the Center are very nice and friendly," with special emphasis on the drivers who help make daily life easier and safer. One message even singles out a driver named Adam as "on time and caring," highlighting dependable transportation as a crucial component of the positive experience. The combination of friendly interactions with staff and reliable, compassionate transportation creates a cohesive sense of care that many families value highly.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive sentiment, the collection acknowledgment isn't entirely uniform. One reviewer offers a stark counterpoint with the simple statement, "Terrible service and driver did not care." This reminder reminds readers that experiences can vary, and a single negative account stands in tension with the otherwise strong consensus about kindness and quality. It's a small but important note that human-centered care - especially in day programs - can encounter hiccups, and it invites ongoing attention to service quality, responsiveness, and staff training.

Overall, the center emerges as a welcoming, home-like environment that many describe with affection and gratitude. People speak of an upbeat and friendly vibe, a place that feels safe and comforting for family members to entrust to the care of others. The combination of genuine care for clients, friendly interactions with staff, engaging activities, a diverse and welcoming atmosphere, and the reassurance of reliable transportation all contribute to a portrait of a day program that many families would recommend. Even touches like music, with references to Korean music played for the people there, add to the sense of a culturally rich, engaging space where everyday moments are valued and celebrated.

In the end, this center is portrayed as more than a service - it's a community. For many families, it represents a trusted place where their loved ones can thrive with dignity, companionship, and attentive supervision. The feedback captures a shared appreciation for the people who make it work: the staff who greet each day with warmth, the drivers who ensure dependable travel, and the leadership that fosters continuity and hope for a long-lasting, supportive environment. While there are moments that remind us perfection is not guaranteed, the prevailing narrative is one of gratitude, belonging, and the strong belief that this place truly feels like home away from home.

This part of Nutley, New Jersey offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to reside in the area. With several restaurants nearby such as Wendy's, Rutt's Hut, and Ming Feng Restaurant, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. In terms of entertainment, the AMC Clifton Commons 16 theater is within close proximity for movie buffs. For those who enjoy a good cup of coffee, Starbucks and Paper Plane Coffee Co. are easily accessible for a relaxing break. Additionally, there are pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens nearby for any medical needs that may arise. Places of worship such as Ahavas Israel and Bais Torah U'tefilah cater to different religious preferences in the community. If you enjoy the outdoors, parks like Rutherford Memorial Park and Anderson Park provide opportunities for leisurely walks or picnics. Transportation options are also readily available with several NJ Transit stations nearby for easy access to surrounding areas. For medical care, Summit Medical Group and St Joseph's Regional Medical Center offer quality healthcare services in the vicinity. Overall, this part of Nutley is a well-rounded neighborhood with amenities that cater to various interests and needs for seniors seeking a comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• The Rock Bar & Grill (1.3 miles)
• Rutt's Hut (1.6 miles)
• Ming Feng Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Applegate Farm (2.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (0.7 miles)
• Cinemark (7.1 miles)
• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (7.3 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (8.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Paper Plane Coffee Co. (3.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Ahavas Israel (1.9 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (2.2 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Rutherford Memorial Park (2.1 miles)
• Anderson Park (3 miles)
• Edgemont Memorial Park (3.1 miles)
• South Mountain Reservation (4.7 miles)
• Eagle Rock Reservation (4.8 miles)
• Degnan Memorial Park (6 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (6.2 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Watchung Station (2.8 miles)
• East Orange Station (5.5 miles)
• NJT - Brick Church Station (5.5 miles)
• Harrison Path Station (6.1 miles)
• NJT - Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction Station (6.1 miles)
• Newark Penn Station (6.5 miles)
• NJT - Hawthorne Station (8 miles)

Physicians

• Summit Medical Group (3.4 miles)
• Women First Health Center (5.8 miles)
• Care Station Medical Group (5.8 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (6.1 miles)
• Paterson Community Health Center (6.7 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (5.2 miles)