Pendleton Health & Rehab Center in Mystic, CT

Pros

• Pendleton is consistently described as clean and well-maintained.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and compassionate.
• Care at Pendleton is highly regarded, with nurses going above and beyond to ensure comfort and safety.
• The rehabilitation program, including physical and occupational therapy, is outstanding.
• Front desk and admissions staff provide excellent, courteous service.
• Families feel reassured by Pendleton's safety measures and attentive care.
• The facility offers engaging activities and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Pendleton is recommended for both short-term rehab and long-term care.
• The care team communicates well and remains dedicated to residents.
• The rooms and common areas are bright, comfortable, and nicely kept.

Cons

• Some CNAs need to be more kind and prompt in meeting residents' needs and comfort.
• The facility is understaffed and fails to provide proper care, with some aides avoiding work.
• There are reports that patients were not sponge-washed or bathed regularly, raising hygiene concerns.
• The nursing staff did not follow basic infection-control practices, contributing to harm such as pressure sores leading to amputation.
• The administration was described as unprofessional and uncaring by at least one reviewer, with warnings to stay away.
• One reviewer alleged Pendleton lied to state investigators and suggested the facility should be shut down.
• Some residents experienced neglect, such as being left wet and not receiving timely assistance.
• There were accounts of staff laughing at a patient and not acknowledging attempts to communicate.

Review

Pendleton Health & Rehab Center in Mystic is best suited for seniors who are focused on short-term rehabilitation after hospitalization or surgery and who want a clean, welcoming environment with aggressive physical therapy and attentive nursing support. The community earns high marks for a secure front-end experience, a calm check-in that reduces risk, and staff who consistently convey care and competence. Families observe that the facility is bright, well-kept, and easy to navigate, with therapists who tailor plans to restore independence quickly. This is the setup where momentum in PT/OT can translate to a confident return home, with daily needs managed in a reassuring, orderly setting.

Those who require ongoing, around-the-clock skilled nursing with minimal wait times may want to compare other options. Several reviews reference understaffing and inconsistent responsiveness on certain shifts, along with a few accounts of interactions that feel detached or rushed. Sentiments about management and policy vary, with some families praising administration and others warning about reliability. In long-term custodial care, the variability in staffing can influence daily comfort, safety, and timely assistance, making alternatives with steadier staffing patterns worth evaluating.

On the upside, Pendleton consistently delivers a spotless, well-organized environment. Residents and visitors praise the cleanliness of rooms and common areas, the friendliness of front-desk and admissions staff, and the ready availability of rehab services. The rehabilitation program stands out: physical therapy and occupational therapy are repeatedly cited as excellent, with tailored routines, steady progress, and a clear focus on getting residents home. Dining experiences and menu options appear favorable, and the facility supports a broad slate of daily activities that keep residents engaged. The secure check-in process inspires confidence for families concerned about safety and privacy. Taken together, these strengths meaningfully offset occasional concerns about bedside responsiveness.

The staffing caveat remains the most persistent, and it colors the overall assessment. A subset of reviews describes delays in assistance, with residents waiting for care or nourishment, and a few accounts of less-than-consistent interactions from certain aides. The question for families is whether the rehab successes and the generally positive caregiver tone can compensate for these gaps in real-time service. For a resident entering Pendleton with a definite rehab objective and a high level of trust in therapists, the robust progress can outweigh intermittent gaps. For others with ongoing, high daily support needs, the cons may register more acutely and warrant a closer, on-site evaluation before choosing Pendleton as the long-term home.

Practically, prospective families should push for a current staffing snapshot and request to meet the PT/OT team and nursing leadership during a tour. Inquiries about discharge planning, recent state survey results, and any corrective actions provide essential context. Observing meal service, asking about menu flexibility, and noting the availability of diverse activities helps gauge day-to-day quality beyond the glossy impression. Seek consistency in staff interactions; the abundant anecdotes of warmth should reflect the unit you'll rely on, not just generalized praise. If the goal is a rehab-forward path with compassionate, capable care, Pendleton offers a credible, well-supported route that is worth pursuing with due diligence.

In sum, Pendleton Health & Rehab Center presents a compelling option for recovery-focused care, combining a high standard of cleanliness, attentive therapists, and a welcoming atmosphere. For families prioritizing speed and effectiveness of rehabilitation, with reassurance around safety and daily routines, Pendleton often stands out as a practical choice. Those balancing long-term care needs against occasional staffing fluctuations should conduct a thorough tour, verify current staffing stability, and compare with comparable facilities to ensure alignment with expectations for ongoing support. With clear questions, diligent evaluation, and honest conversations with staff, Pendleton can function as a dependable foundation for quality of life during recovery and beyond.

Physicians

• Main Medical-Mystic (0.1 miles)
• Shoreline Allergy & Asthma Associates (0.1 miles)
• Gastroenterology Specialists (0.1 miles)
• Mystic Medical Group PC (1.5 miles)
• Ear Nose & Throat Associates of Southeastern Connecticut PC (1.6 miles)
• Seaport Dermatology (1.7 miles)
• ProHealth Physicians Women's Care (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• C.C. O'Brien's (6.2 miles)
• Perks & Corks Cafe (6.4 miles)
• Nana's Bakery & Pizza (6.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Anderson (0.2 miles)
• McQuade's Marketplace (0.2 miles)
• McQuade's Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• The Pink Mermaid (5.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Walgreens (5.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Go Fish Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Rio Salado (0.3 miles)
• Jealous Monk (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Mystic Diner & Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Sea View Snack Bar (0.6 miles)
• Engine Room (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Mystic River Park (1.3 miles)
• Pequot Woods (1.8 miles)
• Bluff Point State Park (4.5 miles)
• Washington Park (6.3 miles)
• Wilcox Park (6.4 miles)
• The Park 2 (6.7 miles)
• Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Pequot Health Center (3.9 miles)
• Lawrence Memorial Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Lawrence And Memorial Family Medicine (4.5 miles)
• Westerly Hospital (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• United Theatre (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (6.4 miles)
• New London Union Station (7.4 miles)