Holiday Kittery Estates

Pros

• The staff at Holiday Kittery Estates are attentive, friendly, and thoughtful, providing excellent service in dining and other areas.
• Residents appreciate the clean and bright facility, highlighting its beautiful artwork and well-maintained common areas.
• Many residents enjoy a wide variety of activities offered at the community, allowing for engagement and socialization.
• Several reviews commend the convenient location of Kittery Estates, making it easy for residents to access nearby amenities.
• Overall, visitors found the management team to be friendly and helpful during their tours, contributing to a positive vibe within the community.
• Residents express gratitude for having support available if needed, enhancing their sense of security in independent living.
• Families feel reassured by the cleanliness and organization of Kittery Estates, making it a desirable choice for senior living.

Cons

• The community has experienced significant turnover, including multiple directors and staff shortages, leading to inconsistent services.
• There are concerns about the quality of meals and limited dining options, with some residents describing the food as mediocre and repetitive.
• Residents have noted a lack of effective communication from senior staff and corporate regarding staffing issues, leaving families without clear information.
• Many residents feel that the recent renovations have resulted in a cold and unwelcoming atmosphere.
• The transportation service is limited, with missed dinner opportunities due to staff shortages and unreliable scheduling.
• One family expressed frustration over a delayed refund of their deposit, citing poor customer service and lack of communication.
• Some residents find the new décor to be uninspiring and depressing.
• Activities offered by the facility have been described as boring or unengaging by several residents.

Review

Kittery Estates, an independent living facility, has emerged as both a refuge and a source of frustration for its residents and their families. While several reviews highlight positive interactions with staff and the overall cleanliness of the facility, numerous concerns have been raised regarding staffing, meal quality, activities, decor, and customer service.

At the heart of the dissatisfaction lies the frequent turnover in management and staff. Several reviewers noted that Kittery Estates has seen five directors in just five years, which seems to have created instability within the community. This high turnover is exacerbated by challenges in hiring and retaining key personnel such as chefs and activity directors. Currently lacking a permanent Activities Director for nearly a year has led to uninspired programming that some residents find boring or even petty; there are complaints about activities involving gambling rather than engaging pursuits. The absence of consistent culinary leadership has resulted in concerns about food quality and variety—many residents mentioned repetitive meals with limited options that fail to excite them.

The ambiance within Kittery Estates also appears to contribute to feelings of discontent among its residents. While some appreciate certain aesthetic aspects like artwork displayed throughout common areas, others criticize recent renovations for being cold and unwelcoming due to an overabundance of gray tones. Furthermore, physical elements such as elevators were reportedly in need of cosmetic repair during ongoing updates. Although the facility is described as clean and generally well-maintained, many feel that it falls short of creating a warm atmosphere suited for independent living.

Transportation services have become another point of contention; with limited hours available for transport and drivers quitting without replacements being promptly hired or providing alternative options for residents needing assistance. Some individuals voiced frustration at how deliveries are managed; heavy parcels are left at mailboxes on the first floor instead of being delivered directly to doorsteps—a significant inconvenience for those unable to navigate stairs easily.

Despite these challenges, several reviews do shine a light on positive experiences at Kittery Estates. Many appreciated the friendliness and attentiveness of staff members across various departments—from dining services to management—which fostered a sense of community among residents. Activities were noted as abundant by some visitors; however, others felt that improvements could be made both in variety and quality—with calls for more engaging events rather than mundane ones that fail to offer true enrichment.

Another persistent theme across multiple reviews was communication—or lack thereof—from senior staff and corporate entities managing Kittery Estates. Families expressed concerns regarding responsiveness when issues arise—specifically regarding refunds like “refundable deposits” after deciding against moving loved ones into the facility amid troubling circumstances like progressing Alzheimer’s disease. This inconsistency further underlines frustrations around transparency in operational matters.

In conclusion, while Holiday Kittery Estates offers an appealing environment featuring clean facilities with good potential activities alongside friendly staff members showing genuine care towards residents’ needs—it is tempered by significant challenges related primarily to staffing shortages affecting core services including dining options and transportation reliability—ultimately resulting in mixed feelings among current inhabitants contemplating whether this environment aligns well with their expectations for serene independent living versus dealing with systemic hurdles inhibiting daily life enjoyment.

This part of Kittery, Maine, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple physicians' offices nearby, including ophthalmology, ENT, and natural therapies, residents have access to healthcare providers within a short distance. There are also restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies in the area for convenience. For recreation, several parks are located within a few miles, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. Nearby hospitals ensure easy access to medical care in case of emergencies. Transportation options such as the airport and bus lines offer convenient travel options for seniors looking to explore the surrounding area or visit loved ones. Overall, this location provides a well-rounded environment with essential services and recreational opportunities for senior living.

Physicians

• Kittery Ophthalmic Consultants (0.5 miles)
• Family Ear, Nose & Throat (1.2 miles)
• D'Adamo Institute For The Advancement Of Natural Therapies (2.1 miles)
• Marshwood Family Care (2.3 miles)
• Seacoast Rejuvenation Center (2.9 miles)
• Martin's Point Health Care (3 miles)
• Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Bob's Clam Hut (0.8 miles)
• Robert's Maine Grill (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Loco Coco's Tacos (1.1 miles)
• Surf Portsmouth (1.8 miles)
• River House (1.8 miles)
• Lazy Jacks (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Prescott Park (1.9 miles)
• Pierce Island- Dog Park (2 miles)
• Great Island Common (2.7 miles)
• Fort Foster Park (3.6 miles)
• Portsmouth Plains (3.8 miles)
• Bellamy Park (9.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Specialty Hospitals of America (2 miles)
• Hca Health Services of New Hampshire (3.6 miles)
• Portsmouth Regional Hospital (3.6 miles)
• Portsmouth Regional Hospital (3.7 miles)
• York Hospital (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Caffe Kilim (2.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Wicked Mini Cafe (3 miles)
• St Joe's Coffee (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Lonza Biologics (3.4 miles)
• Pharmacy At PRH (3.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Fox Run & RPX (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Port City Air (4.1 miles)
• Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM) (4.3 miles)
• C & J Bus Lines (4.3 miles)
• Pease Planesense Air Force Hangar (4.3 miles)