Dexter House Healthcare

Pros

• The physical therapist at the facility was described as nice, providing a positive experience amidst the challenges faced.
• The reviewer took the time to advocate for their friend's well-being by addressing issues they observed during visits.
• The reviewer’s willingness to share their experience highlights the importance of raising awareness about care quality in facilities.

Cons

• The facility is infested with rodents, indicating poor hygiene and maintenance.
• Nurses administer sedative medications to patients without proper oversight or justification.
• Call buttons for assistance are frequently turned off so staff can take breaks, compromising patient care.
• Patients are left waiting for basic needs, such as using the restroom, with no support from staff.
• Management only provided excuses when concerns about care quality were raised, showing a lack of accountability.
• The overall environment appears unfit for vulnerable individuals in need of proper care and support.

Review

The troubling account shared by an individual regarding their friend's experience at a healthcare facility has sparked serious concerns about the quality of care provided within its walls. Following the recent death of a friend’s mother in the same institution, the author felt compelled to recount their own experiences from five years prior. What stands out profoundly is the disheartening revelation that little, if anything, seems to have changed over the course of those years.

Upon reflection on their friend's stay, the author describes an environment far removed from what one would expect in a caring healthcare setting. Reports of rodents scurrying throughout the facility illustrate a shocking disregard for basic hygiene and patient safety. This neglect not only undermines trust but also raises questions about regulatory oversight and the ethical obligations of such institutions to provide a clean and safe environment for vulnerable individuals seeking care.

Moreover, disturbing accounts reveal that patients were routinely sedated without proper regard for their well-being. The practice of medicating patients to maintain control can be seen as both alarming and indicative of deeper systemic issues within the staff's approach to patient care. This pattern suggests a troubling prioritization of convenience over compassion—a theme that echoes through various aspects of this review.

One particularly egregious issue highlighted is the deliberate disabling of call buttons during staff breaks, effectively abandoning patients when they need assistance most. Such actions create an untenable situation for individuals who may already feel vulnerable due to their circumstances. The author's friend was left in distressing situations where her basic needs went unmet because staff members were unavailable or unwilling to respond promptly.

Adding insult to injury, patients were administered laxatives with insufficient attention given to their subsequent needs—forcing them into situations where they had no choice but to wait or resort to wearing diapers. This kind of treatment reflects not only poor planning but also an utter failure in compassionate care standards. It points towards a system that seems unresponsive to both patient dignity and practical logistics surrounding care delivery.

Despite these significant failings, there was one positive aspect mentioned: a physical therapist who made an impact on the author's friend's recovery experience. Yet even this glimmer of hope is overshadowed by pervasive issues swirling around administrative negligence and inadequate staffing practices. The author’s insistence that this facility should have been shut down five years ago serves as both a warning and a rallying cry for urgent reform.

In conclusion, this account underscores not only personal anguish but broader systemic flaws within institutional healthcare settings. It calls for accountability from those who oversee such environments and urges others to speak out against injustices faced by patients in need—before more lives are irrevocably impacted by negligence and indifference.

This part of Malden, Massachusetts offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for senior living. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, access to medication and healthcare is convenient. There are also several restaurants like Kelly's Roast Beef and J.P. Licks for dining options. Parks like John M. Devir Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Public transportation options are easily accessible with stations like Wellington Station and Assembly Station nearby. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks and Forge Baking Company for socializing with friends or enjoying a cup of coffee. For medical needs, there are physicians at North Suburban Orthopedic Associates and hospitals like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital within a few miles. Overall, this part of Malden offers a mix of convenience, entertainment, and healthcare resources suitable for seniors looking to live in the area.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Wegmans (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Night Shift Brewing (0.9 miles)
• Bone Up Brewing Company (0.9 miles)
• Kelly's Roast Beef (1.2 miles)
• J.P. Licks (1.8 miles)
• Earls Kitchen + Bar (1.8 miles)
• Yakitori Totto (1.9 miles)
• Winter Hill Brewing Company (2.3 miles)

Parks

• John M. Devir Park (0.9 miles)
• Tufts Park (2.5 miles)
• Medford St Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Melrose Common (2.6 miles)
• Summer Street Dog Park (3 miles)
• Grove-Cedar Bike Path (3 miles)
• Sheepfold, Middlesex Fells Reservation (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Wellington Station (1.3 miles)
• Assembly Station (1.9 miles)
• Sullivan Square Station (2.5 miles)
• MBTA Union Square Station (3.2 miles)
• MBTA Davis Square Station (3.2 miles)
• Porter Square MBTA Station (3.4 miles)
• MBTA North Station (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Forge Baking Company (3.3 miles)
• Cafe Rustica (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (4.1 miles)
• Flour Bakery + Cafe (4.3 miles)
• Ogawa Coffee (4.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Assembly Row 12 (1.8 miles)
• Kendall Square Cinema (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• North Suburban Orthopedic Associates (2.8 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (3.3 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (2.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul Parish, Harvard Square (4.2 miles)
• St Agnes Parish-Arlington (4.2 miles)