The Bristal at Waldwick

Pros

• The facility is beautifully designed and offers a lively yet not crowded environment.
• Housekeeping services are excellent, contributing to the overall cleanliness of the community.
• The staff has made commendable efforts to communicate with families during challenging times, especially considering COVID-19.
• Atria Waldwick provides a variety of activities and services, such as exercise classes and crafts, keeping residents engaged.
• The kitchen amenities in the units are modern and appealing, featuring stainless steel appliances and nice countertops.
• Residents enjoy good quality food served in a restaurant-style setting with plenty of variety.
• The administration is proactive in keeping families updated about safety measures for residents during the pandemic.
• The facility’s smaller size fosters a sense of community among residents and staff, enhancing the overall experience.

Cons

• The memory care side of the facility is rated a 1 at best, making it a poor choice for loved ones.
• There has been endless turnover of staff members, leading to communication issues and dissatisfaction with care.
• Residents experienced falls due to inadequate supervision, raising concerns about safety.
• The administration is very disorganized and provides misleading information regarding medication management.
• Activities are limited, especially due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in inadequate engagement for residents.
• The facility's positive COVID cases contradicted its claims of cleanliness and safety.
• Overall dissatisfaction with the care provided, as families feel their loved ones are not receiving adequate support or attention.

Review

The Atria facility in Waldwick, recently rebranded to Bristol memory care, presents a complex picture according to the reviews from various families experiencing care for their loved ones. While the assisted living side of the establishment is praised as being quite good—receiving a solid rating of 4 out of 5—the memory care services have been described as abysmal, receiving ratings as low as 1 out of 5. Families have expressed deep concern over this discrepancy, asserting that potential residents and their family members should carefully consider their options before making a decision about placement in this facility.

The management issues at Bristol are particularly alarming, with reports indicating an extremely high turnover rate among staff—even leading to the facility seeing its third administrator within a few months. This instability has contributed to significant challenges in communication and consistency of care. For one family, physical therapy (PT) services were abruptly terminated without prior notice or explanation, leaving them feeling uninformed and frustrated about their loved one's progress. Moreover, restrictions due to COVID-19 have intensified feelings of helplessness among families who report limited access to their relatives; some families noted they had only entered their loved one's room four times since the onset of strict lockdown measures.

Despite these setbacks, there are elements that some reviewers found commendable. The facility's housekeeping services were frequently highlighted as excellent and well-managed—maintaining cleanliness amidst ongoing pandemic concerns. Families also appreciated certain aspects such as on-site medical services and dedicated effort by staff to facilitate activities when possible within COVID guidelines. Reviews noted that while most activities were curtailed due to safety precautions, there was still an attempt to keep residents engaged through activities like bingo and outdoor events where feasible.

Reviews also highlighted severe discrepancies regarding the staff's friendliness and professionalism. While some families mentioned that staff members were generally kind and accessible, others encountered troubling incidents such as falls occurring in unmonitored environments or nurses expressing doubt over their ability to provide adequate care for residents immediately following admission—a shocking revelation for families who had entrusted them with long-term care plans.

Another recurring theme appeared concerning facility transparency around costs and service availability. One reviewer recounted how they received misleading information regarding medication management for a resident—initially believing independence was possible under certain conditions but later facing additional charges for supervision just weeks before a planned move-in date. Such experiences raised concerns about whether prospective residents might face unexpected financial burdens alongside logistical complications once admitted.

Overall impressions suggest that while Atria Waldwick may have originally attracted families with its new constructions and attractive amenities—including stainless steel appliances in units and beautiful outdoor spaces—the reality following admission can be vastly different than advertised expectations. Some reviewers recommended reconsidering placement at this facility until greater stability is achieved operationally while others indicated potential value for individuals willing—or financially able—to navigate higher levels of support without encountering unexpected barriers or disappointment set against a backdrop of ever-changing administrative oversight during this tumultuous time marked by pandemic pressures.

This part of Waldwick, New Jersey is a convenient and bustling area with plenty of amenities nearby. There are several pharmacies such as Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS within a short distance, making it easy to access medication and supplies. Transportation options include the NJT Waldwick Station for easy travel, as well as bus stops for added convenience. For dining options, there are cafes like Willow & Whisk and popular chain restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A. Nearby physicians like Dr. Mondana S. Yazdi, MD offer healthcare services close by, along with hospitals like The Valley Hospital for medical emergencies. With parks like Saddle River County Park and cultural attractions such as the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in the vicinity, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy in this vibrant community.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Franklyn's Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Waldwick Station (1 miles)
• IHA Arbor Road Bus Stop (2.7 miles)
• NJT - Hawthorne Station (4.8 miles)
• Metro North / NJT - Suffern Station (7.1 miles)
• Bus Stop (8.5 miles)

Cafes

• Willow & Whisk (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Blue Moon Mexican Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Allendale Bar & Grill (1.4 miles)
• Park Wood Deli (1.4 miles)
• Savini Restaurant (1.8 miles)
• Van Dyke Ice Cream (2.5 miles)
• Varka Estiatorio (3.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Dr Mondana S. Yazdi, MD (1.6 miles)
• Christian Health Care Center () (2.7 miles)
• Costello Oral Surgery Associates (3.4 miles)
• New Jersey Regional Eye Care (3.8 miles)
• Women's Total Health of Woodcliff Lake (4.3 miles)
• Md Partners (4.4 miles)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bergen (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hawthorne Gospel Church (2.6 miles)
• St Pauls Parish (2.8 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (3.5 miles)
• Community Church Of Glen Rock (3.6 miles)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (7.2 miles)
• Immaculate Heart Of Mary School (7.3 miles)

Hospitals

• The Valley Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (6.8 miles)
• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (7.7 miles)

Parks

• Saddle River County Park (3.9 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (4.9 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (7 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (7.4 miles)
• Hershfield Park (7.8 miles)

Theaters

• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (7.5 miles)
• Nanuet STM 12 & RPX (8.7 miles)