Stella Maris
Save2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21093
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
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Exceptional care and compassion came through clearly in the experience with the Home Hospice Team, especially the Knott Wing, where the reviewers repeatedly highlighted kind, patient, and professional conduct. The family expressed deep gratitude for the warmth and respect shown to their mother and to the entire family during what was surely a difficult and emotional time. The hospice team was praised for the human touch that made a tangible difference, and the memories of that support linger as a bright counterpoint to other experiences described later. The appreciation was explicit and heartfelt: the staff's approach conveyed not just professional competence but genuine empathy, leaving a lasting impression of care that stood out even amid the broader, more challenging contexts of other care settings.
However, the picture shifts dramatically when attention turns to Stella Maris, the long-term nursing home where the reviewers' mother spent about two years. From the outset, there is caution: the writer admits hesitation about posting a review due to fears of covert retaliation, but the ongoing concerns ultimately compelled a candid account. The core message is one of persistent and escalating care failures that touched on almost every aspect of daily living and medical oversight. The account paints a stark contrast to the celebrated hospice experience, implying systemic issues within the nursing home that compromised safety, dignity, and quality of life for residents.
Specific daily care shortcomings are repeatedly detailed. The mother was allegedly not taken to the toilet upon request for extended periods, sometimes as long as two to three hours, which raises concerns about basic dignity and comfort. Meetings involving the patient's care - intended to coordinate responses to medications and side effects - were reportedly missed by doctors or nurse practitioners. External specialist appointments were not scheduled when needed, despite requests. There were repeated failures to promote mobility or time outside the bed, with claims that aides lacked time or were too short-staffed to assist with walking, an issue that ties directly to managing lymphedema and overall physical health. The pattern suggests a culture where essential routines and rehabilitative activities were deprioritized, leaving a resident to languish in bed for long stretches.
Acute clinical concerns are described in vivid and troubling terms. An incident involving a nurse on duty who allegedly did not investigate the resident's hallucinations or altered state - despite a midnight call from a family member - illustrates potential gaps in assessment and timely response. There are serious allegations about recognizing adverse drug reactions, including changes in personality, dizziness or wobbling, and facial or ocular symptoms, which should have prompted closer monitoring and intervention. Other critical safety lapses include turning off the light when help was requested, prolonged delays in returning to assist, and irregularities in monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, even though the resident had hypertension and was in kidney failure. The overarching impression is one of inconsistent medical oversight and a staffing environment that did not consistently prioritize or even recognize danger signals.
Underlying these episodes are broader concerns about staff attitudes, training, and accountability. The narrative attributes a sense that nursing aides may be disengaged or overwhelmed by the workload, with a proposed expectation that they "pivot" to address priorities but instead fall back on routine tasks and personalizing residents' behaviors as a challenge rather than as part of care. There is a pointed critique of the nurse manager's capacity to train, supervise, and guide the staff, suggesting that leadership and governance gaps allowed ongoing, unacceptable patterns to persist. The writer also connects the quality of care to a broader question about the facility's reputation and governance, noting that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stella Maris had a more favorable image, and questioning whether a board of trustees is aware of, or responsive to, these deteriorating conditions. The implication is that financial pressures and operational failures intersect to undermine care quality and equity.
Two additional, deeply personal testimonies are interwoven into the broader critique, each underscoring strongly felt failings. One reviewer recounts an experience with pain management that they perceived as inadequate and mismanaged: attempts to escalate pain relief were refused, steroids were prescribed in place of better-suited regimens, and there was a clear sense of disregard for the potential long-term harms of certain medications. The fear of sedating effects and the potential risks of more aggressive pharmacotherapy - such as methadone - highlight a tension between palliative goals and safety, compounded by a sense that patient voices were not adequately considered. The same account raises concerns about privacy and HIPAA, noting that personal information appeared to be disclosed inappropriately and that the patient's own property and records were mishandled or misrepresented during the admission and subsequent stay.
Compounding the distress are issues around the facility's complaint processes and responsiveness. The patient describes attempts to obtain full medical records and a transparent accounting of complaints; these efforts are frustrated by what was perceived as misinformation or misdirection by a social worker, followed by slow or absent follow-up from the Office of Health Care Quality. The sense of neglect is reinforced by practical indignities: missing belongings (a tablet and a phone), a lack of timely updates on complaints, and a general impression that concerns raised by families were treated as nuisances rather than essential feedback to improve care. The social and administrative dynamics here - interactions with social workers, the handling of grievances, and the absence of clear, timely responses - contribute to a climate of distrust and frustration that is especially troubling when families are already navigating the emotional stress of a loved one nearing end of life.
The second reviewer's narrative adds a visceral layer to the overall assessment: even when admission occurred, the patient felt treated with dispassion or even hostility at times, such as a description of a staff member describing the experience of actively dying patients in a way that felt dismissive and disrespectful. The same account notes a troubling incident in which the resident's bedding and personal items were transported or discarded without clear authorization, and the patient's sense of reality and privacy was challenged in ways that heightened fear and anxiety. There is a recurrent thread of patients or family members feeling compelled to intervene directly - standing by the bedside, challenging staff, and even coordinating care to prevent harm - instead of depending on the facility to deliver consistent, reliable, dignified care.
Tying together these threads is a stark contrast between the steadfast kindness and effectiveness of the hospice team and the troubling experiences inside Stella Maris. The hospice care is remembered as compassionate, responsive, and professional, delivering a level of care that felt uniquely humane in a time of vulnerability. By contrast, the long-term nursing home experiences are characterized by persistent gaps in basic caregiving, inconsistent clinical oversight, insufficient attention to patient dignity and safety, and a pattern of communication failures that erode trust. The reviewers collectively convey a sense that the facility fell short across multiple domains - clinical management, staffing stability, administrative transparency, and accountability - leaving families with dangerous gaps in care, unaddressed medical concerns, and a sense of ongoing risk to residents.
In sum, the narratives converge on a powerful, multifaceted message: while home hospice care can provide extraordinary warmth, attention, and humanity, the same level of compassionate, reliable care is not consistently available in the Stella Maris long-term care setting according to these accounts. The accounts call for heightened oversight, stronger staffing, clearer accountability, and more transparent, patient-centered processes to ensure that all residents receive the dignified, safe, and effective care they deserve. The contrast between the praised hospice experience and the reported failures in the nursing home is sharp, leaving readers with a clear concern about how elder care is administered, monitored, and improved for vulnerable populations who rely on it most.
Stella Maris in Timonium, MD is a premier assisted living community that provides exceptional care and a wide range of amenities for its residents. Our goal is to create a warm and inviting environment where seniors can thrive and enjoy their golden years.
Our community offers a variety of amenities to cater to the needs and preferences of our residents. They can take advantage of our beauty salon to pamper themselves or relax in our fully furnished apartments with private bathrooms. We provide housekeeping services to ensure that our residents' living spaces are always clean and tidy.
At Stella Maris, we understand the importance of staying connected in today's digital world. That's why we offer Wi-Fi/high-speed internet access throughout the community along with a computer center for those who want to stay connected with loved ones or pursue their interests online.
We prioritize the well-being and health of our residents by providing various care services. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and transfers. We also offer medication management and special dietary restrictions, including diabetes diets, to ensure that our residents' health needs are met.
In addition to excellent care services, we offer a range of engaging activities for our residents to enjoy. From fitness programs to planned day trips, there is always something exciting happening at Stella Maris. Our resident-run activities encourage socialization and promote an active lifestyle.
Located in Timonium, MD, our community benefits from its proximity to various amenities in the area. There are two cafes nearby where residents can grab a cup of coffee or enjoy a meal with friends. For nature lovers, two parks are just a short distance away for leisurely walks or picnics. Accessible healthcare is readily available as there are 10 pharmacies, 7 physicians' offices, and three hospitals nearby.
At Stella Maris in Timonium, MD, we strive to provide exceptional care and enriching experiences for our residents. With our comprehensive amenities and services, seniors can enjoy a fulfilling and comfortable lifestyle in a vibrant community setting.
Stella Maris is located at 2300 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium, MD 21093 in Baltimore County, Maryland
Stella Maris on seniors.fyi includes 12 photos including images showing building, interior, architecture, entrance, church, decor, landscaping, outdoor, and more.
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