The Residences at the Essex

Pros

• The building and community offer spacious living spaces and friendly neighbors.
• The staff, despite some inconsistencies, have been receptive to reminders about wearing masks.
• The outdoor areas are available for residents to enjoy, although improvements could be made for better accessibility.
• Conversations with the staff regarding tripping hazards have been ongoing, indicating their willingness to address safety concerns.
• The director is readily available and openly shares information about residents.
• Although there have been some organizational challenges, events are still provided for residents' enjoyment.
• Despite the delay in receiving their deposit back, the issue was eventually resolved through phone communication.

Cons

• The staff consistently failed to wear masks inside the building and residences, despite reminders.
• The policy on visitors was inconsistent, causing confusion and frustration among residents.
• Most of the outdoor areas, advertised as part of a 55 and over community, were inaccessible and posed tripping hazards.
• Conversations with the staff about tripping hazards, such as throw rugs in front of doorways, proved ineffective in resolving the issue.
• The director freely shares residents' personal information, compromising their privacy.
• Events were poorly organized and infrequent, leaving residents disappointed and lacking opportunities for social engagement.
• It took an excessive amount of time (6 weeks) and multiple phone calls to receive their deposit back upon moving out, indicating poor communication or efficiency from the management team.

Review

Mixed Experiences at a New Building and Community

The recent opening of a new building and community in 2020 brought excitement to many, including the parents of the reviewer. While they initially appreciated the beautiful space and friendly neighbors, their overall experience was marred by consistent disappointments with the staff. From lax adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols to accessibility issues and poorly organized events, this review sheds light on both positive aspects and areas for improvement within this establishment.

Paragraph 1 - Moving In: Being among the first residents to move into this brand-new building instilled a sense of anticipation for the reviewer's parents. They were drawn to the community's offerings, which primarily catered to individuals aged 55 and over. The spacious living areas and cordial neighbors seemed promising, setting high expectations for their time here.

Paragraph 2 - Staff Behavior: Unfortunately, one recurring disappointment encountered throughout 2020 was the inconsistent adherence to mask-wearing protocols by staff members. It became an ongoing concern until reminders were provided, indicating a lackadaisical approach towards maintaining a safe environment during a global pandemic. The breach of regulations posed potential health risks for residents, raising concerns about the thoroughness of management.

Paragraph 3 - Accessibility Challenges: Although advertised as a community designed with older adults in mind, it is disheartening that various outdoor areas within this building remained inaccessible to many residents. Tripping hazards such as throw rugs placed in front of doorways persisted even after conversations with staff members regarding their removal. These obstacles potentially compromised resident safety and revealed a lack of attention to detail in ensuring ease of movement for older individuals.

Paragraph 4 - Privacy Concerns: Another significant issue highlighted by the reviewer was an alarming lack of privacy within this community. Personal information concerning residents appeared to be freely shared by the director without discretion or consent. Such breaches not only violate basic privacy rights but also create an unwelcome environment for residents seeking a secure and confidential living experience.

Paragraph 5 - Event Organization: Events are meant to foster a sense of community, but in the case of this establishment, they were reportedly poorly organized and infrequent. Residents had hoped for engaging activities that would bring them together and enhance their overall experience. However, these expectations were largely unmet, leaving residents feeling disconnected and underserved by the management team.

Paragraph 6 - Deposit Refund: Unfortunately, even after deciding to move out of this community, the reviewer's parents encountered further frustrations. It took an inefficient period of six weeks and multiple phone calls before their deposit was eventually returned. This prolonged process reflects an inadequate level of customer service and organizational efficiency on the part of the establishment.

The review of this new building and community reveals a mix of experiences; while some aspects such as spacious living areas and amiable neighbors were appreciated, there were significant shortcomings that need to be addressed. Concerns about staff behavior regarding COVID-19 safety protocols, accessibility challenges within outdoor areas, lack of privacy regarding resident information sharing, poor event organization, and inefficient refund processes all demonstrate areas in which improvements should be made to provide residents with a more satisfactory living experience.

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Barnet (2.8 miles)
• East Peacham Baptist Church (4.8 miles)
• Ryegate Presbyterian Church (6.3 miles)
• Saint Eugene (9.5 miles)
• Grace Assembly of God (9.6 miles)
• Victory In Jesus Ministries (9.6 miles)
• Danville United Methodist Church (9.7 miles)

Cafes

• Peacham Cafe (4.2 miles)
• People of the Beans (12.3 miles)
• Cabot Cafe (12.3 miles)
• Locally Social Coffee (12.8 miles)
• Cider House Café (15.5 miles)
• Windy Ridge Orchard (15.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Big Cones Ice Cream Shop (9.4 miles)
• Tj's Lunch Counter (9.4 miles)
• Woodsville Bowling Lanes (9.6 miles)
• Anchor Seafood Restaurant (9.8 miles)
• Danville Restaurant & Inn (9.8 miles)
• New Century Chinese Restaurant (9.9 miles)
• Sambels catering and concessions (10 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wells River Pharmacy (9.4 miles)
• Shaw's Pharmacy (10.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (10.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (10.7 miles)
• Gauthier's Pharmacy (12 miles)
• Walgreens (12.2 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (13.7 miles)

Physicians

• Danville Health Center (9.5 miles)
• Public Choice Analytics (10 miles)
• Anna K. Fariss, MD (13.7 miles)
• Fmc North America (13.7 miles)
• Shippee Family Eye Care (13.7 miles)
• Eye Associates of Northern New England (13.8 miles)
• St Johnsbury Pediatrics (13.8 miles)

Parks

• Railroad Park (9.6 miles)
• Woodsville Community Field (9.9 miles)
• Newbury Common (13.9 miles)
• The Dog Chapel (13.9 miles)
• Dog Mountain (14 miles)

Hospitals

• Cottage Hospital (11.1 miles)
• Nvrh Occupational Medicine (13.7 miles)
• Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (13.8 miles)
• Littleton Regional Hospital (16.1 miles)
• Beeken (17.9 miles)

Theaters

• Star Theatre (12 miles)
• Star Theatre (12.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (13.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (14.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (15.6 miles)