Notre Dame Convalescent Home I
Save76 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
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Notre Dame (ND) appears in these accounts as a facility that inspires a wide range of experiences, from heartfelt gratitude to alarming warnings. Across many voices, the common thread is that the place can feel like a homey, well-staffed environment for loved ones who need care, yet it also carries serious questions about leadership, consistency, and responsiveness. Some families praise the care, the atmosphere, and the personal attention they encountered, while others report troubling interactions, miscommunications, and perceived neglect. The spectrum is striking and begs careful, individualized consideration for anyone evaluating care for a family member.
Several reviews center on warmth, competence, and everyday support. For many, the care team is described as genuinely caring and tireless. Families recount staff who greet residents by name, share pleasantries, and "go above and beyond" to ensure comfort and safety. Specific roles and people are highlighted in glowing terms: Marjorie, described by some as a proactive and deeply involved director who opens her door and takes a personal interest in residents' wellbeing; Sister Lucie, noted as tireless and ever-present to assist residents day or night; the kitchen staff, praised for friendliness and delicious meals; the dietician, described as sweet and readily available; Security as warm and welcoming; Austin, the social worker, seen as a go-to resource for addressing concerns; Theresa, the Director of Nursing, appreciated for being out in the halls and engaging with both staff and residents; Dr. McDermott, called a "Godsend" who demonstrates empathy toward residents and families and occasionally brings a clarinet to entertain receptive audiences. One reviewer even mentions bringing a dog along, underscoring a sense of homeliness. In this chorus, the facility's atmosphere - cleanliness, attentiveness, appropriate diet, opportunity for in-house chapel, and a visible leadership presence - adds up to a reassuring picture for many families during recovery or ongoing care.
On the other hand, several accounts recount troubling interactions that cast a shadow over the experience. A persistent theme is concern about the behavior and influence of leadership figures, particularly the director, Marjorie Simpson. One reviewer, reflecting on a prior encounter, reports that Marjorie threatened them with legal action for slander after leaving a negative review, and claims that Sister Lucie refused to provide contact information for higher management. This reviewer explicitly warns others to keep their families away, framing the facility as prone to intimidation rather than resolution. A different critic echoes this sentiment, describing Marjorie as unhelpful and unsympathetic, with a strong impression that the administration prioritizes reputation over urgent medical needs. These negative experiences are not isolated opinions; they are described as part of a broader pattern of perceived management-style retaliation and lack of accessible escalation routes.
One especially sharp critique concerns a specific incident involving a patient near the end of a stay. A reviewer recounts a situation in which their mother, during a hospitalization and imminent return home, developed a fever, pain, shivering, and vomiting. They claim that Marjorie Simpson refused to call an ambulance, labeling the situation as not an emergency and insisting the mother could wait until home. The reviewer asserts that the mother later required urgent medical attention (gallstones and a high fever) and that Marjorie accused the mother of lying about her symptoms. Afterward, the mother was sent to another facility because she supposedly was not ready to go home. This account is framed as a severe failure to respond to an urgent medical condition and to advocate appropriately for a resident's health needs, prompting a strong recommendation against the facility from this caller.
There is also a retrospective note about a very serious and historic accusation: a long-ago incident in 2016 where a family member alleges that a traumatic encounter occurred with an orderly who grabbed the resident's hand and allegedly stated, "I'm not your slave." The reviewer emphasizes that the grandfather, who had previously recovered enough to speak again, later disclosed this memory, which has left them with lasting concern about safety and respect for residents. This anecdote serves to underscore a warning that, for some families, the facility's past experiences and the behavior of certain staff have left a lasting impression of fear or distrust, complicating any assessment of ND as a safe place for loved ones.
Overall, these impressions depict a facility that many families hold in high regard for its dedicated staff, compassionate clinicians, and supportive environment, including meaningful amenities like on-site chapel and responsive care teams. Yet they also reveal significant concerns about leadership style, the handling of emergencies, consistency in communication, and accountability. The divergence between praise and critique is striking: for some, ND represents a trustworthy, well-run place where staff know residents by name and provide attentive, family-inclusive care; for others, it represents a potential risk when urgent medical needs arise or when interactions with management feel adversarial or dismissive. Prospective families are encouraged to engage directly with multiple members of the care team, ask pointed questions about ambulance decisions, escalation procedures, consequences of reviews or complaints, and the facility's handling of safety concerns, in order to form a holistic view that acknowledges both the strong positives and the serious cautions highlighted in these experiences.
Our Lady of Notre Dame Convalescent Home I is a premier assisted living community located in Norwalk, CT. We offer a range of amenities and care services to provide our residents with a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.
Our community features a beauty salon for residents to pamper themselves, as well as cable or satellite TV in each room for entertainment. We also provide community-operated transportation and transportation arrangements for non-medical needs and doctor's appointments, ensuring that our residents can easily access the services they require.
To promote connectivity and engagement, we have a computer center with Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available. Our dining room offers restaurant-style dining with special dietary restrictions catered to, providing delicious and nutritious meals for our residents. For relaxation and recreation, we have outdoor spaces, a gaming room, and a small library for residents to enjoy.
In terms of care services, we prioritize the well-being of our residents. With 24-hour call systems and supervision, assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing is readily available. Our staff is trained in medication management to ensure proper administration. Additionally, we have mental wellness programs in place to support the emotional health of our residents.
Our location in Norwalk offers convenience with nearby cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, transportation options, and places of worship. Residents can easily explore the neighborhood or participate in planned day trips organized by our concierge services. Furthermore, resident-run activities are organized regularly to foster socialization and community engagement.
At Our Lady of Notre Dame Convalescent Home I, we strive to provide exceptional care and amenities that enable our residents to live their best lives in a warm and compassionate environment.
Notre Dame Convalescent Home I is located at 76 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851 in Fairfield County, Connecticut
Notre Dame Convalescent Home I on seniors.fyi includes 5 photos including images showing physical therapy, rehabilitation, nursing home, chapel, interior, building, architecture, porch, and more.
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