Oxford Center in Haverhill, MA

Pros

• The Oxford staff are described as the best the reviewer has had in 30+ years, across physical therapy, maintenance, activities, housekeeping, and case workers.
• Tamika James has been excellent and very caring, with the nursing staff described as awesome.
• The ambassador Yinny is very respectful, helpful, and goes above and beyond for residents.
• Jenny is kind, helpful, and someone residents can rely on for advice.
• Candace is extremely dedicated, empathetic, and a joy to speak with.
• The rehab department is doing a great job, with Eli being patient and helpful.
• Jodi from PT is lively and fun, a positive presence.
• The nursing and PT staff are wonderful.
• The Ambassador Program is a big help for residents.
• The staff are empathetic and kind, and residents are happy to be there.
• The nutrition department tailors menus to residents' tastes and dietary needs.
• Beautiful facility and staff.

Cons

• The facility is described as a rundown, dirty building with horrible food and staff who do not do their jobs correctly or on time.
• It is labeled the worst facility the reviewer has experienced, with unprofessional staff who prevent family contact.
• Mice are reported throughout the building, the food is gross, and residents are sometimes not given physical therapy, leaving them stuck for long periods.
• The management is unfriendly and unprofessional, with comparisons to a zoo.
• The halls smell like urine, suggesting poor cleanliness.
• Med passes are consistently late by over an hour, described as negligent and life-threatening.
• There are few or no activities, causing residents to sit in wheelchairs in the hallway all day.
• There is not enough staff to provide proper care.
• Some staff are hard to distinguish from patients, leading to confusion and frustration.
• Families are sometimes told unhelpful or cruel things; attempts to contact loved ones are blocked or dismissed.

Review

Oxford Center in Haverhill, MA is best suited for families seeking a rehabilitation-focused path to returning home, supported by a vigorous physical therapy program, responsive case management, and staff who actively engage residents in activities and daily planning. This community can shine for those who value hands-on therapy, practical discharge planning, and an ambassador network that helps residents stay connected with loved ones. It works best when there is a family or caregiver willing to stay involved, ask questions, and push for timely therapy, coordinated appointments, and a plan that moves a resident toward independence.

Those who should consider alternatives are the families prioritizing pristine surroundings, flawless housekeeping, and consistently reliable leadership. Several reviews flag serious concerns about cleanliness, odor, mice, and inconsistent maintenance of the building. Others note long delays in physical therapy, late or missed medication passes, and communication gaps with admissions and administrative staff. For anyone needing predictable, transparent management, strict infection control, or a consistently high standard of daily operations with minimal family oversight, Oxford Center may fall short.

The strongest pros - robust rehabilitation services, dedicated therapists, and a tangible sense of care from front-line staff - often offset some of the program's most troubling drawbacks. Residents repeatedly credit physical therapy and nursing teams for real progress, sometimes describing life-changing gains in mobility and independence. The therapist-led emphasis, along with supportive aides and the ambassador program, yields meaningful social and functional benefits for those who can leverage these assets. When therapy goals align with discharge planning and the resident's motivation is high, Oxford can deliver concrete recovery outcomes.

Yet the main cons do not disappear behind bright therapy rooms. Reports of neglectful or slow responses from nursing and supervisory staff, evidence of unsafe conditions, and a perception of weak leadership strike at the core of confidence in long-term care. Families recount nights of delayed med passes, equipment gaps, and in some cases alarming incidents that undermine trust. The dichotomy is stark: on one hand, residents gain recovery and daily encouragement from compassionate clinicians; on the other, multiple accounts describe chronic operational weaknesses, inconsistent accountability, and a facility atmosphere that can feel chaotic rather than controlled.

Staffing and leadership emerge as a mixed bag, shaping the day-to-day reality. The front-line team - ambassadors, CNAs, physical therapists, and some nurses - receives frequent praise for empathy, attentiveness, and practical problem-solving. Ambassadors like Yinny, Jenny, Amily, and Candace are repeatedly highlighted as essential lifelines, helping residents navigate daily needs and stay connected with families. However, critiques of management, admissions responsiveness, and certain administrative personnel color the overall experience with doubt about long-term reliability. The facility's trajectory seems tied to leadership changes and the ability of managers to translate frontline care into consistent, well- communicated care plans.

From a decision-maker's perspective, Oxford Center offers a compelling reward-and-risk calculus. For a resident pursuing rehabilitation with aggressive follow-through and an engaged family, the positives - effective PT/OT, dedicated direct care staff, and a proven pathway back to independent living - can eclipse numerous process issues. For anyone prioritizing regulatory compliance, consistent cleanliness, and tightly managed operations, the drawbacks are too salient to ignore. Prospective families should schedule in-depth tours, request to meet the rehab leadership and the head of nursing, and observe therapy sessions, meals, and common areas firsthand. Ask about 1-on-1 staffing norms, med-pass timing, and recent quality improvement efforts.

In the end, Oxford Center is a practical option for recovery-oriented residents who can tolerate variability in administration and environment, and who will actively partner with staff to drive progress. Those with more fragile health, higher risk of safety lapses, or a strong preference for a consistently spotless, orderly setting may want to look elsewhere. A candid site visit, questions about recent operational upgrades, and a clear, written care plan will reveal whether this community can align with a family's expectations, risk tolerance, and recovery ambitions. The right fit hinges on whether the rehabilitation gains and relational staff support can endure the concerns that persist around leadership, cleanliness, and timely care.

Located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, this area offers a range of amenities and services that may be of interest to seniors. With several medical offices and pharmacies within a short distance, accessing healthcare is convenient. A variety of restaurants are also nearby for dining options, ranging from casual to sit-down establishments. The proximity to hospitals like Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital and Merrimack Valley Hospital provides peace of mind in case of medical emergencies. Additionally, there are parks and cafes within a reasonable driving distance for leisurely outings. Overall, this part of Haverhill offers a blend of convenience and accessibility that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Physicians

• Haverhill Medical Office's (0.2 miles)
• Phillips Medical Systems (0.6 miles)
• Pentucket Medical Associates (1.4 miles)
• Dr Frederic Rose Optometry (1.5 miles)
• Interventional Spine Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Access Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics (1.8 miles)
• SMG Primary Care and Women's Health of Haverhill (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Lucky's Pizza & Roast Beef (0.8 miles)
• 110 Grill (1.3 miles)
• Applebee's (1.5 miles)
• Jimmy K's Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Carter's Ice Cream (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Preferred Pharmacy Solutions (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Duffy's Diner (3.6 miles)
• Heav'nly Donuts (6.7 miles)
• Honey Dew Donuts (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Whittier Pavilion (1.3 miles)
• Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Merrimack Valley Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Lawrence General Hospital (6.8 miles)
• Anna Jaques Hospital Billing (8.6 miles)

Theaters

• 2660 Amc Bar Methuen 2 (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM) (6.1 miles)

Parks

• Amesbury Town Park (8.4 miles)
• Maudslay State Park (8.4 miles)