St Michael's Home For the Aged

Pros

• St. Michael's Home is an exceptional facility that is organized, clean, and caring.
• The staff at St. Michael's Home are highly professional and helpful in many ways.
• Residents are treated with respect and dignity at St. Michael's Home.
• The administration and staff consistently go above and beyond to ensure smooth transitions and compassionate care.
• St. Michael's Home is described as a gem and a blessing by families.
• The home provides a welcoming, family-like environment with Greek heritage, including Greek food, holidays, and an on-site chapel.
• The facility is clean, safe, and offers engaging activities and social opportunities.
• The administrator and staff are fantastic, with leadership that is on top of her game.
• The staff are attentive to medical needs, and the kitchen staff prepare meals with care.
• The on-site Greek Orthodox services and spiritual support are a meaningful blessing for residents.

Cons

• One reviewer warned others not to send their loved ones there, alleging the facility exploits elderly residents and withholds information about a relative's death from family.
• A reviewer claimed staff were not allowed to talk to family members and that communication was restricted.
• A reviewer alleged a resident developed UTIs due to staff neglect and failure to assist with bathroom needs, leading to ER visits.
• A reviewer described a rude, unprofessional phone interaction and failure to provide a staff name.
• A reviewer accused the administrator, Kiki, of being a manipulator and liar and claimed there was foul play surrounding the aunt's death.

Review

St. Michael's Home shines through the voices of many families who speak not just of a residence for the elderly, but of a living community that honors Greek heritage, faith, and a sense of family. Several accounts begin with milestone moments that frame the positive culture of the place: a centenarian grandmother celebrating a landmark birthday in a warm, Greek-accented environment; a sense that longevity is nurtured by the care, companionship, and sacred rhythms of daily life here. Across the board, there is a strong sense of gratitude for a setting that blends compassionate, professional care with the familiar comforts of home, embedded within a faith-centered atmosphere.

The everyday experience at St. Michael's is repeatedly described as organized, clean, and genuinely caring. Reviewers note that the current staff are professional and helpful in countless ways, treating residents with respect and dignity. The environment is not just about meeting basic needs; it is about dignity, courtesy, and the assurance that those who live there are valued, safe, and cherished. The tone of these testimonials suggests a facility that aims high - where administrative efficiency, medical oversight, and attentive service come together to create calm and reassuring days for residents and their families.

A central thread in many stories is the transition experience - particularly for loved ones moving from long-established homes. One aunt's move in January 2024, after more than five decades in her prior residence, is highlighted as a turning point made easier by staff who went above and beyond. The advance welcome of a spacious dining room, a patio, a recreation room, and a beautiful chapel helps create a sense of continuity and comfort. The ability to attend Greek Orthodox services on-site, supported by clergy such as Bishop Andonios, emerges as a meaningful blessing for residents and families who value liturgy, prayer, and Greek traditions. Individual staff members stand out for their roles in easing the process: Kiki's professional handling of applications, Stivin's careful management of finances, Peter's cheerful greetings, Lana's thoughtful activity planning, and Patrina's patient medical assistance. The kitchen's care in meals and the willingness to accommodate tastes show a holistic attention to residents' daily happiness. In these stories, St. Michael's is not merely a place to live; it is a community that feels like family.

Several accounts expand this sense of family into the broader community, including praise for fathers and mothers who have found a home here. One reviewer describes their father as thriving in a setting where he is treated like family, with clean facilities and a welcoming, "fantastic" atmosphere. The emphasis on what makes a place feel like home - delicious meals, friend circles, and responsive daily help - resonates across multiple testimonies. Another reviewer speaks of a 91-year-old Greek-born mother who loves the community's Greek elements - chapel, Greek food, holiday celebrations, activities, and social opportunities - along with a careful, safe environment. The recurring message is that the facility honors heritage and culture while ensuring residents feel secure, engaged, and cared for.

Amid the chorus of praise, a much more troubling voice emerges - a deeply negative review that asserts serious failures in care and communication. This account accuses a named administrator, Kiki, of manipulation and withholding information, noting that a loved one died under circumstances described as distressing and not adequately shared with the family, particularly those overseas in Greece. The reviewer alleges that the facility did not notify relatives, restricted information, and refused to communicate when requested. The allegations extend to questions of possible foul play and a sense that the facility pursued revenue as memory fades. This solitary, vehement critique stands in stark contrast to the otherwise uniform praise and raises important questions about transparency, family contact, and accountability. It is presented as a stark warning from a bereaved family member and is clearly at odds with the other loving testimonials.

There are additional, more specific concerns raised by another reviewer who felt unheard and disrespected in a moment of distress. This account describes staff who would not allow family communication and who allegedly spoke rudely to residents who attempted to move or request assistance. The reviewer shares a troubling sequence in which a family member experienced a urinary tract infection linked to perceived delays in assistance, followed by an ER visit and an unresolved line of communication with the facility. Some of these experiences are framed as a failure of responsiveness during medical concerns, reinforcing the imperative that a facility of this stature remains vigilant about timely care and open dialogue with families, especially when urgent medical needs arise.

Nevertheless, silence about improvements and ongoing praise for the institution's responsiveness during extraordinary times also appears in the narratives. Since the onset of the COVID-19 era, administrators and staff have been applauded for prioritizing safety, following state regulations, and maintaining precautions to protect residents and families. Athena, the administrator highlighted in several accounts, is repeatedly credited with going above and beyond to maintain safety and communication. The home is described as a welcoming space where Greek heritage is celebrated, with an on-site church, Greek cuisine, and a robust slate of services, from on-site doctors and hairdressers to arts and crafts and socially rich activities. Families express gratitude for continuity of care through the pandemic, even when visitation restrictions posed challenges, and they credit the leadership for guiding the home through difficult, unprecedented times.

Taken together, the stories present a nuanced portrait of St. Michael's Home: a community deeply rooted in Greek Orthodox culture, where residents are cared for with respect, compassion, and professional rigor; where families routinely find comfort in the sense of belonging, meaningful activities, and reliable routines; and where leadership, staff, and priests collaborate to sustain a place that feels like a large, extended family. The overwhelming sentiment across most testimonials is gratitude and trust, with residents and family members expressing peace of mind, happiness, and confidence in the care their loved ones receive. At the same time, the presence of a strongly negative, detailed critique serves as a reminder that, like any long-standing community, there are diverse experiences and interpretations - emphasizing the importance of ongoing transparency, responsiveness, and accountability to ensure every resident and family member feels heard, valued, and protected.

Located in Yonkers, New York, this area offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living. With several transportation options nearby, including the Metro North and MTA Subway stations, residents can easily explore the surrounding area or travel to appointments. Parks like Riverdale Park and Inwood Hill Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For daily essentials, there are pharmacies such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy within a short distance. A variety of dining options are also available, ranging from casual spots like McDonald's to upscale restaurants like Harvest on Hudson and The River Palm Terrace. Nearby hospitals like NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital and St Barnabas Hospital ensure access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, residents can enjoy cultural experiences at theaters like AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 and Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers or relax at cafes such as Starbucks and Kuppi Coffee Company. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded and convenient living environment for seniors looking to enjoy the amenities of city life while still maintaining a sense of tranquility.

Transportation

• Metro North - Riverdale Station (0.9 miles)
• MTA Subway - Inwood/207th St (3.3 miles)
• MTA Subway - Fordham Rd (3.6 miles)
• Metro North - Mt Vernon East Train Station (3.7 miles)
• MTA Fordham Metro-North Station (3.7 miles)
• MTA Subway - Dyckman St (3.9 miles)
• Metro North - Bronxville Train Station (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Riverdale Park (1.5 miles)
• Inwood Hill Park (3.1 miles)
• Flat Rock Brook Nature Center (4.5 miles)
• Uniontown Playground (5 miles)
• J. Hood Wright Park (5.1 miles)
• St Nicholas Park (6.8 miles)
• Tallman Mountain State Park (6.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Riverdale Minyan (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Last Stop Bar & Grill (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• McDonald's (5 miles)
• McDonald's (5.3 miles)
• Kura Revolving Sushi Bar (5.3 miles)
• Harvest on Hudson (5.9 miles)
• The River Palm Terrace (6.1 miles)

Hospitals

• NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Bronx VA Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• St Barnabas Hospital (4.2 miles)
• Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion (5.5 miles)
• Milstein Hospital Building (5.5 miles)
• Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital (6 miles)
• Holy Name Medical Center (6.1 miles)

Physicians

• Park Medical Group PA (3.2 miles)
• Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital (5.6 miles)
• Kayal Orthopedic - Westwood (7.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 (5.1 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers (6.2 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (6.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)
• Cafe Zeppieri (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)
• Bogota Press Cafe (7.6 miles)
• Kuppi Coffee Company (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.2 miles)