700 North Franklin Street, West Chester, PA 19380

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.1 from 50 reviews

5 stars

36

4 stars

2

3 stars

2

2 stars

0

1 stars

10

Overall Review of Barclay Friends

common 32 reviews mention this

Welcoming, responsive staff experience

Residents and families most often describe a welcoming, attentive staff that knows people well.

Many reviews focus on how staff introduce themselves, learn preferences, and make residents feel at home from day one. Families also describe feeling informed and supported as care needs change, including during rehab and memory care. A few reviews are sharply critical of staff behavior or care quality, but the most repeated day-to-day theme is kindness and responsiveness.

common 5 reviews mention this

Food and dining get praise

Dining stands out, with residents and families describing consistently good meals.

Several reviews mention food positively, from restaurant-style dining and menu variety to meals that are described as delicious. Families also talk about staff paying attention to changing food preferences, such as making a favorite meal or offering seating that fits a resident’s dining preferences. The community’s dining approach is part of why people say the experience feels comfortable and familiar.

caveat 5 reviews mention this

Memory care needs vary

Memory care reviews are mixed, with some praising dementia support while others disagree strongly.

Some families describe the memory care setting as thoughtful and respectful, including support that handles dementia outbursts with dignity and compassion. Other reviewers, however, say the staff were not trained or interested enough for Alzheimer’s care and warn others to look elsewhere. That split suggests the memory-care experience may depend heavily on the specific needs and unit experience.

common 8 reviews mention this

Activities support social life

Activities and social opportunities are a frequent bright spot in reviews.

Reviews commonly mention involvement in activities and social time, including joining group events and having meals that help residents stay engaged. Some residents are described as enjoying specific programs such as courtyard socializing and planned activity calendars. Even when families wish for more access or flexibility, the overall review theme is that activities are structured and residents are encouraged to participate.

common 9 reviews mention this

Facility is kept clean and pleasant

Multiple reviews describe a clean, well-kept community with calm common spaces.

Several families describe the building as clean, peaceful, and well maintained, including updated or newly opened areas. Reviews also mention appealing details like gardens and décor that contribute to a more residential feel. One review raises concerns about room cleanliness, so while the dominant impression is positive, it is not universal.

caveat 3 reviews mention this

Price feels high for some families

Some families feel the pricing is higher than expected or increases after release.

A few reviewers describe pricing that felt steep or unpredictable, including one account of a daily rate that ended up much higher after a parent was released and billed. Another review says the cost was on the higher end of the range being considered, and a separate admissions-related review cites large figures during the process. These comments stand out as the clearest financial concerns in the reviews.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

70 resident community capacity
Studio apartments

Types of Care

Memory Care
Skilled Nursing Facility

Amenities

Air-conditioning
Beautician on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Guasts at mealtime
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Laundry
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Overnight guests
Party space
Private bathrooms
Resident parking
Restaurant-style dining
Security gate
Small library
Spa
Swimming pool
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

New Castle County (20 miles away)
Philadelphia International (21 miles away)
Community operated transportation
Transportation arrangement
Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments

Care Services

12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Mild cognitive impairment
Physical therapy
Special dietary restrictions
Specialized memory care programming

Dining

Diabetes diet
Low / no sodium
Low fat
Renal
Special dietary restrictions

Activities

Community-sponsored activities
Concierge services
Fitness programs
Planned day trips
Religious services
Resident-run activities
Scheduled daily activities

Languages Spoken

English

Videos

Nearby Places of Interest

Hospitals

Chester County Hospital (0.3 miles)
Family Lounge (0.4 miles)
Paoli Hospital (7.6 miles)

Parks

Marshall Square Park (0.4 miles)
Stroud Nature Preserve (2.4 miles)
Goose Creek Park (4.1 miles)
Lionville Park (5.8 miles)
Ridley Creek State Park (8.5 miles)
Marsh Creek State Park (8.8 miles)

Physicians

Chin, Katherine Gateway Internal Medicine of West Chester (0.4 miles)
Fern Hill Medical Campus (1.1 miles)
Penn Internal Medicine (2.3 miles)
Brandywine Valley Pain Control Center (4.2 miles)
Nemours Children's Health (4.4 miles)
Chester County Eyecare Associates (4.5 miles)
Family Practice Associates (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

Square Bar (0.6 miles)
Split Rail Tavern (0.7 miles)
Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.1 miles)
Levante Brewing Company (1.9 miles)
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (3.7 miles)
Appetites On Main (3.7 miles)
IHOP (4.3 miles)

Cafes

Gemelli - Artisanal Gelato & Dessert Cafe (0.8 miles)
Giant Cafe (1 miles)
Starbucks (1.7 miles)
Starbucks (4 miles)
Stolen Sun (4.8 miles)
Coffee Cup Restaurant (5.6 miles)
Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

Walgreens (1 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
Walmart Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
Walgreens (4 miles)

Transportation

Exton Station (EXT) (3.4 miles)
Downingtown Station (DOW) (5.8 miles)
Septa Malvern Station (6.7 miles)
SEPTA/Amtrak: Paoli Station (8.3 miles)
SEPTA Thorndale Station (8.3 miles)

Theaters

Movie Tavern Exton (3.6 miles)
AMC DINE-IN Painters Crossing 9 (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

St Paul's Episcopal Church (4.4 miles)
Willistown United Methodist Church (6 miles)
Saint Joseph Church (6.2 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What floor plans and room types does Barclay Friends offer?

Where is Barclay Friends?

Does Barclay Friends provide care for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease?

What photos are available for Barclay Friends in West Chester, Pennsylvania?

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Barclay Friends in West Chester, PA