Norwood Health & Rehabilation

Pros

• One reviewer called it a great place, noting that the activities are good and that their wife is happy there.
• Another reviewer was impressed with the activities department and staff, citing live entertainment and genuine care for residents' quality of life.
• A third reviewer found the activities department to be very caring and concerned about patients, and praised the occupational and physical therapy staff.
• A fourth reviewer described the facility as having live entertainment and a compassionate activities team focused on residents' well-being.

Cons

• Norwood Health Care is described as a mouse haven and a horrible place for a loved one to live.
• The facility is infested with roaches, the rooms are dirty, and the hallways smell of urine.
• The air conditioner in residents' rooms barely works, suggesting inadequate climate control in a for-profit home.
• Residents have contracted scabies, indicating poor infection control.
• Nurses rarely interact with patients, and staff are often seen sitting at desks on their phones.
• The director is described as rude, and management is portrayed as poorly run.
• Residents were given torn towels, with staff claiming they were torn because they were "too long."
• The facility should be shut down immediately or investigated; calls for state action are urged.
• A family member believes neglect and dehydration led to a relative's death.

Review

Multiple accounts paint a disturbing portrait of Norwood Health Care, a facility that several families describe as a rehabilitation hospital that doubles as a nursing home and, in some cases, a psychiatric care unit. The threads running through these reviews are consistent: concerns about cleanliness, safety, and the overall level of care, with families feeling that the environment is ill-suited for healing or sustained well-being. One reviewer even frames the place as a "mouse haven," warning others not to go there and noting that staff members "nearly speak English." The sentiment repeatedly echoes that this is a for-profit operation where basic needs and dignity seem to be sacrificed in the name of cost-cutting.

Hygiene and sanitation emerge as a recurring and highly troubling theme. Several reviews describe rooms that are dirty and poorly maintained, with hallways smelling strongly of urine and roaches reported on multiple occasions. The complaints extend beyond odor and insects to the supply chain for basic comforts: a resident was given a ripped towel for bathing, with a nurse explaining the tear occurred because the towel was "too long." Such anecdotes are paired with images of inadequate cleaning practices and a general sense that proper sanitation and infection control are not reliably followed.

Staffing and communication difficulties are a core concern, with many reviewers highlighting language barriers and inconsistent engagement with patients. Some accounts describe staff who avoid patient interaction, keep patients waiting, or appear disengaged - sitting at desks scrolling on phones rather than tending to residents. One story recounts a tense encounter with a receptionist and nurse over the requirement to show a badge, where the staff member's attitude and the fact that she herself was not wearing a badge added to the sense of disorganization and suspicion. The prevalence of agency nurses, who "change a lot," is noted as a contributing factor to inconsistent patient care and weak relationships between staff and residents.

Health risks and potential infection control failures are a dominant theme in the narrative. A patient reportedly developed scabies during a stay, with accusations that transmission could have occurred from a staff member who did not use protective gear. The implication is clear: lapses in PPE use and hygiene could place other residents at risk, a concern that would worry any family member about the safety of their loved one. The combination of subpar air conditioning, poor room maintenance, and a chaotic environment further fuels fears that the facility prioritizes cost savings over residents' health and comfort.

Several accounts recount distressing personal experiences that culminate in serious consequences. Dementia or memory-related confusion is mentioned in the context of rooms being occupied by other patients' belongings, leaving a vulnerable resident unsettled and disoriented. A separate account describes an elderly individual who, after a hospital transfer, deteriorated with swallowing problems and dehydration, with the family attributing the death to neglect and lack of hydration. There is also a broader, recurring fear of neglect: stories of a resident who became severely ill and was not appropriately nourished or hydrated, eventually leading to hospitalization or worse. Some reviewers even note that the facility has changed its name, a possible signal of ongoing management or reputational challenges.

Not all notes are uniformly negative, though. A minority of reviewers acknowledge positive elements, particularly around the activities department and some aspects of rehabilitation services. A few residents or families describe the activities staff as compassionate and engaged, with live entertainment and meaningful programming that improved quality of life for residents who were able to participate. Similarly, some observers report that physical and occupational therapy was satisfactory and that, when residents could advocate for themselves, the facility could function adequately. These mixed experiences illustrate a facility where care quality can vary dramatically depending on staff, shift, and individual circumstances.

Beyond the confines of Norwood Health Care, one poignant case involves a relative who had been treated at The Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. After a heart-related event, she was transferred to Norwood, where the family alleges a series of neglectful actions: a room with no TV or phone, no bath or shampoo for two weeks, and a prolonged struggle to obtain proper discharge planning. It required legal action to secure her discharge to hospice care, after which she deteriorated further and died. The family explicitly ties these events to the way the facility and its partners managed medical proxies and patient care, underscoring a broader concern about patient protection and advocacy within the regional care network.

Taken together, these reviews convey a troubling landscape of care at Norwood Health Care, marked by reports of infestation and odor, insufficient sanitation, language and interaction barriers, questions about infection control, and claims of neglect that have led families to pursue legal and regulatory remedies. While there are glimpses of positive functioning in certain departments and programs, the prevailing tone is one of alarm and urgency: families are calling for investigations, accountability for for-profit operators, and decisive action to protect vulnerable residents. In the face of such widespread concerns, many reviewers are clear about their intent to seek redress and advocate for meaningful changes to ensure safer, cleaner, more compassionate care.

This part of Norwood, Massachusetts offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to relocate to the area. With multiple physicians' offices and medical centers within close proximity, including Guild Medical Center and Dedham Medical Associates, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are also conveniently located nearby for prescription needs. In terms of dining options, there are various cafes and restaurants such as Starbucks, Panera Bread, Yard House, and C.F. McCarthy's offering a range of choices for meals out. Nearby parks like Francis William Bird Park and Houghton's Pond provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, transportation options including Canton Junction Station and MBTA Commuter Rail stations make it easy to travel around the area. Overall, this part of Norwood provides a well-rounded environment that caters to the needs and preferences of seniors looking for a comfortable living situation.

Physicians

• Guild Medical Center (0.1 miles)
• Dedham Medical Associates (1.2 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Wellesley (4.5 miles)
• Dedham Medical (5.2 miles)
• The Foxboro Center For Women's & Family Health (6.6 miles)
• Brigham & Womens Mass General Healthcare Center (7.5 miles)
• Signature Healthcare Pediatrics (8.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Wegmans (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Catherine of Siena Parish (0.4 miles)
• First Baptist Church (8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Brookside Cafe (1.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Dunkin' Brands (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• French Press Bakery & Cafe (6.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Castle Island Brewing (1.6 miles)
• Wendy's (1.9 miles)
• Yard House (3.1 miles)
• C.F. McCarthy’s (3.8 miles)
• Eggs & Thai Cafe (4.2 miles)
• Rico's Pizzeria (4.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.1 miles)

Parks

• Francis William Bird Park (2.5 miles)
• Hinckley Playground (5.2 miles)
• Houghton's Pond (5.7 miles)
• Cutler Park (6.5 miles)
• Almont Park (7.9 miles)
• Pagel Playground (8 miles)
• Newton Highlands Playground (8.7 miles)

Hospitals

• New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center (2.9 miles)
• West Roxbury VA Hospital (6 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (9.1 miles)

Transportation

• Canton Junction Station (3.1 miles)
• Route 128 station (3.2 miles)
• Readville (4.8 miles)
• MBTA Commuter Rail (7.2 miles)
• Norfolk Transfer Station (8.2 miles)

Theaters

• Showcase Cinema de Lux Randolph (7.5 miles)
• AMC Braintree 10 (8.9 miles)
• Showcase SuperLux (9.3 miles)