Harbor House

Pros

• The staff at Harbor House was described as very friendly, professional, and caring towards residents and their families.
• Many reviewers appreciated the beautiful and well-maintained facilities, including the outdoor garden area and clean living spaces.
• The variety of activities available for residents, such as bingo and arts and crafts, was positively highlighted as a means to engage residents and promote social interaction.
• Reviewers noted that the management was open to communication, readily providing information and updates about their loved ones' care.
• Several families felt reassured by the structured environment for memory care, with different floors designated for varying levels of cognitive ability.
• The positive experiences shared by families indicated satisfaction with the overall care provided to their loved ones at Harbor House.
• One reviewer highlighted that enhancements had been made in their loved one's eating habits, which they found impressive given past difficulties with food intake.

Cons

• The brother in Harbor House appeared unkempt, suggesting poor personal care and lack of clean clothing.
• The facility misled on the conditions of the second floor, which was unpleasant and unsanitary.
• Residents are not encouraged to participate in activities or engage in brain-stimulating therapies; they are often left sitting idle.
• Concerns about the staff's honesty and reliability were raised, particularly regarding promises of outdoor time and cleanliness.
• Several reviews noted that food quality is subpar and was served cold, with some residents having limited eating habits due to this issue.
• Some aides were described as lacking kindness towards residents, failing to provide adequate personal care such as frequent clothing changes.
• Delays in the admission process created frustration for families seeking timely placement for their loved ones.
• There were concerns about a potential ownership change that was not disclosed during tours, raising doubts about future care quality.

Review

Harbor House is an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care, and opinions on its quality and services vary widely among visitors and residents' families. Many reviews highlight a concerning dichotomy between the initial impressions during tours of the facility and the lived experiences once residents are admitted. One family expressed deep dissatisfaction after observing their loved one in what they described as poor conditions—unclean clothes, lack of hygiene, and an unpleasant odor on one of the floors. They reported that their brother appeared unwell-kept and was not receiving adequate attention or activities aimed at stimulating his mental faculties, particularly for those with dementia. Instead of engaging in therapeutic group activities, he was left to sit idly in a chair, which raised questions about the level of care provided.

Conversely, other reviews portray Harbor House in a more favorable light. Some visitors who toured the facility remarked upon its aesthetic appeal and cleanliness, praising staff members for their professionalism and friendliness during the visit. One reviewer recounted witnessing engaging activities like bingo taking place while they toured, along with a beautifully decorated atrium that contributed positively to their overall impression. A different perspective on the staff's engagement includes reports of friendly caregivers who actively participated with residents during activities, reinforcing a sense of community within the space.

A notable concern among reviewers was consistency regarding communication from staff. While some families felt well-informed about their loved one's care through regular updates from caregivers, others criticized what they perceived as dishonesty regarding conditions within the facility. For instance, visitors mentioned being unaware that certain areas were off-limits to tours due to unpleasant odors or that significant changes—such as potential ownership transfers—were imminent but not disclosed during initial visits. Such discrepancies highlighted a troubling lack of transparency which can significantly affect families’ decision-making processes when placing their loved ones in care.

Food service also elicited mixed reactions from reviewers at Harbor House. Comments ranged from complaints about cold meals arriving late to residents opting for only soup rather than full meals due to taste preferences or quality issues with food preparation. This point resonated with family members keenly aware that nutritional needs must be met adequately for overall resident health but feeling disappointed by what they considered subpar dining experiences.

In terms of physical environment and amenities offered to residents, several individuals noted both positive aspects such as outdoor spaces conducive to socialization as well as areas needing improvement like wardrobe sharing among roommates instead of individual closets for personal belongings. Sufficient daily activities were emphasized; however, there remained apprehension over whether all residents received enough encouragement or assistance to partake regularly.

Overall satisfaction at Harbor House varied greatly across different experiences voiced by families navigating elder care options; some felt reassured by attentive staff dynamics while others voiced serious concerns about neglectful practices impacting resident welfare directly. The mixed reviews underscore vital considerations potential new residents’ families should weigh carefully: while beautiful surroundings may draw prospective clients in initially, ongoing quality of care remains paramount for meaningful support throughout each resident’s journey within assisted living environments focused on memory challenges and cognitive decline.

This part of Oyster Bay, New York, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several parks nearby such as Bailey Arboretum and Bethpage State Park, residents can enjoy nature walks and outdoor activities. There are also multiple pharmacies in the area including CVS and Walgreens for convenient access to medications. For healthcare needs, there are various physician offices and urgent care centers such as Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care and Winthrop University Hospital located within close proximity. The community also has a variety of dining options ranging from casual fast food chains like McDonald's to upscale restaurants like Prime Restaurant and Toku Modern Asian. Additionally, transportation options are plentiful with multiple LIRR stations nearby for easy travel around Long Island. Overall, this part of Oyster Bay provides a well-rounded and accessible environment for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community with plenty of amenities at their disposal.

Parks

• Bailey Arboretum (3 miles)
• Mill Dam Park (5.8 miles)
• Tad Lane Park (7.9 miles)
• Great Captain Island (9.1 miles)
• Bethpage State Park (9.8 miles)
• Greenwich Point Park (9.9 miles)
• Rye Town Park (10 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5 miles)
• Rite Aid (5.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• King Kullen (6.1 miles)
• Walgreens (6.2 miles)
• Walgreens (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Plainview Medical Group PC (3.5 miles)
• Central Nassau Guidance (8 miles)
• ENT and Allergy Associates -Melville (8.3 miles)
• Caring Pediatric Associates (9.6 miles)
• Winthrop Professional Building (10.6 miles)
• North Shore Gastroenterology Associates PC (10.8 miles)

Transportation

• LIRR - Syosset Station (3.6 miles)
• Lirr (6.4 miles)
• LIRR - Hicksville Station (7.2 miles)
• LIRR - Westbury Station (8.6 miles)
• Greenlawn LIRR Station (8.8 miles)
• LIRR - Bethpage Station (9.2 miles)
• LIRR - Manhasset Station (10.2 miles)

Cafes

• Mongo's Coffee (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (10.1 miles)
• Starbucks (10.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Prime Restaurant (6 miles)
• Bar Frites (6.5 miles)
• The Bryant (7 miles)
• McDonald's (7.8 miles)
• Hendrick's Tavern (7.9 miles)
• Toku Modern Asian (9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (9.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Westbury Imax & RPX (6.5 miles)
• AMC Roosevelt Field 8 (9.9 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Levittown 1 (10 miles)
• AMC Port Chester 14 (11.2 miles)
• Regal Ua Farmingdale (11.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care (7.3 miles)
• St Francis Hospital (8.6 miles)
• Nassau University Medical Center (10.1 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital New Life Center (10.7 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital (10.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Church of East Williston (9.5 miles)