JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree in Edison, NJ

Pros

• The facility is excellent at taking care of residents.
• The staff is very nice, polite, and helpful.
• The PT staff is amazing.
• The Rehabilitation Center at Hartwyck Oak Tree is excellent, attentive, caring, professional, and competent in every way.
• The outpatient brain injury recovery center is excellent.
• Hirangi and Abby are responsible and caring individuals.

Cons

• The facility is filthy and unsanitary.
• Residents are left in soiled diapers for hours.
• The staff is severely understaffed, causing delays in care and missed medications.
• Patients develop bedsores, UTIs, and other infections due to poor care.
• Nurses and aides are described as arrogant, unprofessional, or more concerned with their phones than with patients.
• There are reports of abuse and neglect, including removal of call buttons and denial of meals.
• The building is outdated, dilapidated, and in need of a major update.
• Pest problems are present, including mice and cockroaches.
• Post-discharge coordination for home health and therapy is poor or nonexistent.
• Patients are not routinely repositioned or assisted, leading to preventable complications.
• Noise and lack of quiet hours disrupt residents; TV policies are poorly enforced.
• Safety alarms go unheard due to staff overload, risking patient safety.

Review

JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree is best suited for families prioritizing aggressive rehabilitation and measurable functional gains. The rehab program is repeatedly highlighted as a standout, with reviewers noting strong PT/OT performance and meaningful progress in cognitive and physical recovery, including praise for the outpatient brain-injury recovery stream. For residents whose primary objective is to move toward independence with skilled therapeutic support, Oak Tree can deliver real upside. That strength exists alongside a fragility in the broader care ecosystem, where daily medical oversight, safety, and housekeeping have been criticized in multiple accounts.

Those weighing alternatives should focus on safety, cleanliness, and reliable daily care. Families prioritizing consistent nursing attention, predictable med administration, and transparent discharge planning may want to look elsewhere. The reviews consolidate a wary chorus about neglect, delays in medications, and insufficient basic care, all of which can be destabilizing for vulnerable residents. For loved ones who require steady supervision or who are highly sensitive to odors, pests, or an aging building, a different option may offer more peace of mind and fewer urgent red flags.

The rehabilitation strengths do offset some of the facility's most serious drawbacks for the right candidate. Where therapy teams operate effectively, patients experience genuine progress, and several reliable staff members - especially those in therapy and some frontline caregivers - are described as compassionate and competent. The therapy milieu is a recurring bright spot, with therapists and rehabilitation professionals often singled out for dedication and skill. This creates a practical incentive for choosing Oak Tree when rehab trajectory and functional improvement are the central goal, even as other aspects of the experience may disappoint.

However, the weight of the cons is substantial and frequently reiterated. Understaffing manifests as delays in medication administration, late or skipped therapies, and insufficient repositioning that leads to bed sores and related complications. Reports of neglect, calls for help ignored, and even removal of call buttons reflect serious safety and dignity concerns. Additional criticisms point to an aging, outdated physical plant, pest sightings, unpleasant odors, and inconsistent housekeeping. Communication gaps between shifts and wards, plus inconsistent discharge coordination, further undermine trust, particularly for families balancing hospital-to-rehab-to-home transitions.

Practically, prospective residents should go in with a rigorous, action-oriented plan. Request current staffing data and arrange a tour focused on therapy spaces, nursing stations, and patient rooms. Confirm that med administration processes are reliable and auditable, and ask for a concrete, written care plan with goals, timelines, and frequent progress notes. Clarify post-acute discharge arrangements, including visiting-nurse and home PT/OT coordination, and insist on a clear point of contact for problem escalation. Demand a clean, pest-free environment and a predictable bathing schedule, and seek candid references from families who recently navigated a discharge to home care. Have contingencies ready if the facility cannot meet those standards.

In sum, JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree offers credible rehabilitation capabilities that can translate into real improvement, particularly for patients whose top priority is intensive therapy. Yet the combination of safety concerns, potential neglect claims, and an aging facility cannot be ignored. For families where daily nursing reliability, hospital-to-home coordination, and a consistently clean, well-maintained environment are nonnegotiable, alternatives should be seriously considered. When rehab needs drive the decision, approach Oak Tree with clear expectations, ask hard questions, and verify that the care plan prioritizes both high-quality therapy and dependable, compassionate daily care.

This part of Edison, New Jersey, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens located within a short distance, access to medication and healthcare supplies is easily accessible. Additionally, there are various dining options available ranging from fast-food chains like McDonald's to sit-down restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory. Transportation is also convenient with nearby train stations like New Jersey Transit- Metropark Station and Edison Station for easy travel. For medical needs, there are reputable physicians and hospitals nearby such as University Radiology Group and Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center. Parks like Ponderosa Farm Park and cafes like Panera Bread provide opportunities for leisurely activities and socializing. Furthermore, places of worship are readily available for spiritual support within the community. Overall, this part of Edison offers a well-rounded environment conducive to senior living with easy access to essential services and recreational facilities.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Garden State Dispensary (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet (1 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (2.7 miles)
• Chick-fil-A (3.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• Jose Tejas (4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4 miles)
• Big Shots Sports Bar & Grill (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• New Jersey Transit - Metropark Station (2.4 miles)
• NJT - Metuchen Station (2.5 miles)
• NJT - Edison Station (4.4 miles)
• NJT - Rahway Station (5.5 miles)
• New Brunswick Train Station (6.7 miles)

Physicians

• University Radiology Group (2.7 miles)
• Raritan Bay Cardiology (4.2 miles)
• Medemerge (5.6 miles)
• University Radiology (6.5 miles)
• Cancer Institute of New Jersey (6.8 miles)
• Premier Urology Group (7 miles)
• Watchung Pediatrics (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Menlo Park 12 (2.9 miles)
• 2220 Amc New Brunswic (6.4 miles)

Parks

• Ponderosa Farm Park (3.4 miles)
• Merrill Park (3.4 miles)
• Columbia Park (4.4 miles)
• Forest Road Park (5 miles)
• Milton Lake Park (5.3 miles)
• Grandview School Play Ground (5.4 miles)
• Mindowaskin Park (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.2 miles)
• Deli Plus (8.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church (4.5 miles)
• Muslim Center of Middlesex County (5.9 miles)
• Somerset Presbyterian Church (7.8 miles)
• Church of the Little Flower (7.9 miles)
• Chinese Christian Church (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center (6.3 miles)
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (6.9 miles)
• Emergency Department, St Peter's University Hospital (6.9 miles)