Dominican Village

Pros

• The community at Dominican Village is described as pleasant, quiet, and safe, providing a comfortable environment for residents.
• Many reviewers noted the kindness and caring nature of the staff, highlighting their dedication to the residents' well-being.
• Residents appreciate the variety of activities available, including religious services and social events like bingo and barbecues.
• The facility offers beautiful grounds that provide ample space for outdoor activities.
• Some reviewers expressed satisfaction with the size and amenities of the Independent Living accommodations.
• The individuals who conducted tours were described as pleasant, knowledgeable, and eager to answer questions, making potential residents feel welcome.
• There are opportunities for family involvement in events throughout the year, fostering a sense of community among residents and their loved ones.

Cons

• The meals at Dominican Village have deteriorated in quality over the last six months, leading to disappointment among residents.
• Residents are charged excessively for medical transportation outside a short radius, which is not expected given the high monthly fees.
• The community no longer offers the compassionate care that was previously provided by the Dominican nuns; instead, it is now managed by a stern CEO who does not prioritize resident welfare.
• There is concern about financial stability following the sale of the residence and subsequent management changes.
• The assisted living side resembles a nursing home, with staff turnover and inadequate care reported by multiple residents.
• Many rooms have unpleasant odors and outdated conditions, contributing to an overall negative living experience.
• Staff members appear to be overwhelmed and often do only the bare minimum when it comes to caring for residents.
• Families feel compelled to hire private aides due to insufficient caregiving from facility staff, indicating serious gaps in care quality.
• The assisted living apartments lack proper climate control and are poorly maintained, compounding issues with comfort and hygiene.
• Some residents report that staff fail to engage them in activities, preferring that they sit passively in front of a television instead of participating in social events.

Review

Dominican Village, a senior living facility that offers Independent Living and Assisted Living options, has garnered a mix of reviews from residents and their families, highlighting both its appealing aspects and its shortcomings. Over the course of two and a half years, one resident provided insights specifically related to the Independent Living section. The community is described as pleasant and quiet, with a demographic heavily skewed towards women in their late 70s and 80s. While the atmosphere is generally positive, there have been significant concerns regarding changes made by new management after the Dominican nuns relinquished oversight of the facility.

One notable point raised in several reviews is the recent deterioration in meal quality. Initially praised for providing surprisingly good food, it appears that within the last six months, serving standards dropped sharply with an inferior service introduced to cut costs. This shift not only affected individual satisfaction but also seemed to resonate with other residents dining at the same tables. Food quality is emphasized as being critical in such communities; thus, this downgrade led to lowered expectations among residents who now feel let down by what they once enjoyed as an important aspect of their daily lives.

In addition to dining concerns, transportation availability emerged as another major issue highlighted by multiple reviewers. Residents seeking medical appointments outside a short radius found themselves facing unexpected charges?such as a $250 fee for a ride to Sloane Kettering in Manhattan?despite expectations that transportation would be included given the substantial monthly fees exceeding $5,000. Local bus service was available four days per week for shopping trips, but limited operational hours and a lack of lunch offerings at on-site cafes further compounded frustrations about dining experiences.

The religious affiliation of Dominican Village was acknowledged positively by some reviews but accompanied by cautionary notes about increased costs and limited value compared to other facilities. While many appreciated that regular masses and religious activities were integrated into life at Dominican Village through communion services and rosaries, others felt that these spiritual offerings alone did not justify the rising rent?a staggering 5% increase over two years followed by another price hike?especially when little else seemed included in terms of amenities or care services.

Concerns about management approaches following the sale of Dominican Village were prominent throughout various accounts. The current CEO's more stern demeanor contrasted sharply with how previous staff would routinely assist residents during financial difficulties or transition periods?a level of compassion notably missing under new leadership since they took control over a year ago. One resident shared her own disheartening experience when faced with relocation due to running out of money; she was offered one option that didn?t suit her needs but felt pressured into acceptance or risk becoming homeless.

Family members reviewing their loved ones' stays reported mixed experiences across both independent living and assisted arrangements at Dominican Village. Some noted pleasurably engaging activities like bingo nights and barbecue picnics along with reassuring safety features like security check-ins which provided peace of mind for families concerned about residents? well-being within community spaces filled with pleasant interaction opportunities?though issues also transpired surrounding staffing shortages leading to inadequate responses for seniors needing assistance in more demanding care situations typical within assisted living environments.

Finally, despite tangible attributes such as beautiful grounds?the largest among competitors?and overall satisfaction from some families regarding specific aspects like events hosted at on-site venues?notably weddings?the overarching sentiment reflects worry over diminishing quality in care provided alongside escalating costs confirming previous warnings: "you get what you pay for." Ultimately, interested parties are encouraged during their search process to consider all facets including food quality satisfaction levels alongside levels of care offered as they navigate choosing appropriate long-term residences for aging family members while evaluating potential red flags like high staff turnover rates observed firsthand during visits or stays at Dominican Village itself.

The area of Amityville, New York offers convenient transportation options with several LIRR stations within a few miles, making it easy for seniors to travel around the area. There are also various medical facilities nearby such as Maxine S. Postal Clinic and Babylon Medical Practice for healthcare needs. For those who enjoy dining out, there are a variety of restaurants like Chili's Grill & Bar and Chick-Fil-A, as well as cafes including Starbucks and Panera Bread. Additionally, residents can enjoy leisure activities at parks like Argyle Lake Park and Tad Lane Park. With pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby, obtaining prescriptions is also convenient. Overall, this part of Amityville provides a range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Transportation

• Atlantic Aviation (1.2 miles)
• LIRR - Amityville Station (2.1 miles)
• Lirr - Lindenhurst Station (2.1 miles)
• Lirr - Farmingdale Station (2.9 miles)
• Lirr - Babylon Station (4.1 miles)
• Massapequa Train Station (4.1 miles)
• LIRR - Bethpage Station (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Maxine S. Postal Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Di Giovanna Family Care Center (3.1 miles)
• Babylon Medical Practice (3.7 miles)
• Neuralphysiologic Associates (4 miles)
• The Center for Eye Care and Optical (4.6 miles)
• Advantage Care (5.4 miles)
• Dr Pillitieri (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• New Hope Institutional Baptist Church (1.3 miles)
• Merrick Jewish Center (8 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.4 miles)
• Chili's Grill & Bar (1.8 miles)
• Houlihan's (1.8 miles)
• PDQ 351 (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Babylon Bean-Coffee Extreme (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Ua Farmingdale (1.9 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Levittown 1 (5.5 miles)
• Regal Deer Park & IMAX (6.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Argyle Lake Park (3.8 miles)
• Bethpage State Park (3.8 miles)
• Tad Lane Park (5.3 miles)
• Newbridge Road Park (7.9 miles)
• Newbridge Dog Park (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Nassau University Medical Center (8.1 miles)