Portland Care & Rehab Ctr Inc in Portland, CT

Pros

• There was an immediate improvement after the transfer to Portland Care.
• The resident was well cared for during every visit.
• She was clean, groomed, seated in a chair, and alert.
• Her nursing care was excellent, and the aides were always cheerful and competent.
• The PT and OT teams helped him go from unable to sit up to standing and walking, giving him his life back.
• The facility is exceptionally clean.
• The breakfasts are cooked to order and the food is generally very good.
• Bridgette was an outstanding head nurse who consistently helped her staff.

Cons

• The facility was terrible.
• The long-term care side has been nothing but a disappointment.
• Staff lack professionalism and appear understaffed.
• There was neglect of a resident who needed feeding.
• It was totally unacceptable that a patient had to wait to be fed while others finished eating.
• The building needs updating in many ways.
• The facility was rude and unprofessional toward employees, including a nurse who was rude, and a worker was fired.
• The doctors and administrators are terrible; they do not follow up or take responsibility.
• The place smells like death and is very dirty and unclean.

Review

Portland Care & Rehabilitation Center is best suited for seniors who need skilled post-acute rehabilitation and dependable nursing care during a short- to mid-term recovery period. The facility consistently earns praise for its rehab and nursing teams, and families report noticeable improvements in function after therapy, along with clean surroundings and attentive aides. For a loved one coming out of surgery or an acute illness who requires focused PT/OT and steady supervision, this community often delivers results that make a real difference in getting home again. It is not primarily pitched as a luxury long-term residence; rather, it's a practical, capable option when the objective is recovery and regain of independence within weeks to a few months.

Those weighing alternatives should consider the long-term suitability of a stay here. Several reviews raise flags about the long-term care experience, including concerns about staffing levels on the care floor and variability in professionalism. The building itself is described as older and in need of updating, and there are comments about administrative and physician coordination that undermine confidence for extended stays. Families with a loved one who will require years of residency, or who expect consistently excellent daytime leadership and every-need-answered responsiveness, may want to compare other options that emphasize long-term stability, modern facilities, and steadier administration.

The strongest positives are concrete and substantive. The rehab program is repeatedly described as excellent, with therapists who are professional, attentive, and capable of moving a patient from limited mobility to standing and walking. Nursing staff and CNAs are highlighted as kind, observant, and responsive, with patients and families noting prompt assistance and a reassuring care presence. Cleanliness and an overall well-kept environment frequently surface in reviews, and meals - especially breakfast - are described as omitting shortcuts, cooked to order in some cases and generally satisfying. When rehab goals are the priority, these factors combine to produce measurable outcomes and a confidence-building care experience.

Yet, the most concerning elements cluster around the long-term side of the operation. Reports of under-staffing, neglect in care routines, and inconsistent professionalism in some long-term scenarios cannot be ignored. Several reviews recount situations where basic needs or dignity were not consistently met, and there are anecdotes about turnover in leadership or administrative responsiveness that can erode trust during a longer stay. The built-in tension between a strong rehab team and a less consistent long-term care environment creates a clear risk for anyone planning a prolonged residency, especially for residents with higher medical complexity or dementia.

The key pros do offset many of the negatives, but only to a point. For someone focused on reclaiming function quickly, the therapy pipeline - clinical expertise, hands-on assistance, and rapid problem-solving - can powerfully tilt the decision in favor of Portland Care as a rehab destination. The nursing strength and daily attentiveness, combined with a clean, orderly setting and solid food quality, contribute to a recovery-focused atmosphere that supports confidence in discharge planning. However, those same benefits do not automatically translate into a superior long-term home, where staffing consistency, administrative oversight, and facility modernization matter just as much. In other words, Portland Care delivers outstanding short-stay value but invites measured caution for longer commitments.

The practical takeaway is clear. If the goal is short-term rehabilitation with a high likelihood of functional recovery and timely discharge, Portland Care provides a compelling, well-supported pathway, backed by responsive nursing care and a strong rehab team. For families considering long-term residency, or residents with complex, ongoing needs, it is essential to scrutinize the long-term wing's staffing, accountability, and facility updates - and to compare alternatives with proven stability in extended care. Prospective families should schedule a focused tour, ask to meet the rehab and long-term care leads, review staffing ratios, and observe a therapy session if possible. In the right context, Portland Care stands out as a robust rehab choice; as a long-term home, it warrants careful corroboration of current staffing and leadership before committing.

This part of Portland, Connecticut, offers a convenient location with various healthcare options including primary care practices and pharmacies within a few miles. The area also features a range of dining options, from casual eateries like Neil's Donuts to the Celtic Cavern for a more upscale experience. Nearby hospitals such as Connecticut Valley Hospital and Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center provide accessible healthcare services. For recreation, residents can enjoy parks like Sage Park and Maxwell Park for outdoor activities. Additionally, transportation options like Amtrak are available for easy travel. The presence of places of worship such as Jehovah's Witnesses shows a sense of community in the area. Overall, this part of Portland provides a mix of amenities suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• Middlesex Family Practice (0.2 miles)
• Community Health Center of Middletown (1.3 miles)
• Community Health Center (1.3 miles)
• Open Mri of Middletown (1.6 miles)
• Radiologic Associates (1.8 miles)
• Middlesex Health Primary Care - Middletown (2.6 miles)
• MHS Primary Care (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Perkatory Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)
• Provision State Coffee (7.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Celtic Cavern (1.3 miles)
• Neil's Donuts (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• Chicago Sam's (2.8 miles)
• Athenian Diner Restaurant (2.9 miles)
• Joe's Filling Station (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Connecticut Valley Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Riverview Children's Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center (2.7 miles)
• Family Birthing Center (8.8 miles)
• MidState Medical Center (8.8 miles)

Parks

• Sage Park (5.9 miles)
• Maxwell Park (6.8 miles)
• Washington Park (8.1 miles)
• Mill Pond Park (9.3 miles)

Theaters

• Picture Show at Berlin (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (7.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Jehovah's Witnesses (8.6 miles)