Stonehedge Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Ce in West Roxbury, MA

Pros

• Victoria R., the director of nursing, is caring, extremely knowledgeable, and demonstrates an above-and-beyond work ethic.
• Mirian De Souza is described as an angel who arrives with a smile every day and goes above to help patients and staff.
• PT and OT services are exceptional and help patients reach their goals.
• CNAs and nursing staff respond to residents in a timely and efficient manner.
• Stonehedge is a welcoming environment that respects diverse cultures and backgrounds, with dependable staff.
• The facility fosters a strong sense of community and is committed to excellent customer service.
• The administrator is noted as very nice, contributing to a positive experience.
• The kitchen and laundry staff are appreciated for their supportive care.

Cons

• The facility is absolutely filthy and overrun with cockroaches and mice.
• The food is practically inedible.
• The staff is underqualified.
• The place should be closed down.
• The facility is disgusting and not clean, with the overnight staff described as the laziest workers.
• Several patients have died under the facility's care.
• The nurses' response of "it's ok" to medication errors is unacceptable.
• Rats have been found in the facility, ants are everywhere, and beds are left unmade.

Review

Stonehedge Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in West Roxbury is best suited for families seeking aggressive, structured rehabilitation where meaningful PT and OT progress is the core goal and a handful of devoted staff members can consistently drive that progress. The facility has produced tangible gains for patients who engage in therapy, and several reviewers point to the director of nursing and a dedicated resident ambassador as essential anchors who stay connected with patients and families through challenging days. In practice, success here often hinges on access to motivated therapists and on staff members who will go hands-on to meet clinical needs. For a post-acute rehab or short-term skilled stay where recovery hinges on therapy momentum, Stonehedge can feel like a real lifeline.

At the same time, families should clearly consider alternatives if cleanliness, safety, and consistent clinical oversight are non-negotiable. Multiple accounts describe a facility that struggles with pests, odors, and overall upkeep, and several reviews raise urgent concerns about medication management and response times. If a loved one requires rigorous around-the-clock nursing, strict infection control, or predictable, compassionate care across all shifts, other nearby options with stronger safety reputations may be a safer fit. The day-to-day care variance reported by families means Stonehedge can be a precarious choice for residents with high falls risk, dementia, or complex medical needs who rely on steady, reliable oversight.

On the upside, the PT and OT teams frequently shine, and a core group of frontline staff - especially the nurse leader and a steady ambassador - are repeatedly praised for going the extra mile. When therapy goals line up with discharge plans, patients report clear progress and a smoother route home. Social and administrative staff occasionally deliver dependable advocacy and problem-solving, and some residents describe the environment as welcoming and culturally accommodating. These strengths matter because rehabilitation success hinges not only on muscle strength but also on feeling supported and believed by the care team. Where Stonehedge truly excels, it does so in therapy-driven momentum and in staff members who bring genuine warmth to patient interactions.

Yet the negatives are repeatedly emphatic. Cleanliness issues, vermin, and inconsistent housekeeping undermine basic comfort and safety, and several accounts describe delayed responses, medication mix-ups, and dismissive attitudes from some staff. Family members recount alarming incidents and concern about accountability, including reports of misdirected medications and troubling care experiences. Taken together, these concerns signal a need for meticulous oversight, proactive family involvement, and independent verification of care plans if Stonehedge is chosen. Potential residents and guardians should factor these red flags into risk assessments as strongly as the positive therapy stories.

For families seriously evaluating this community, approach with a concrete due-diligence plan. Visit privately and, if possible, unannounced, and request to speak with the director of nursing and the head of therapy. Ask for a current staffing mix by shift and a transparent view of recent state inspections or surveys. Inspect rooms and common areas for cleanliness, listen to nurse-patient and CNA interactions, and verify medication processes, including double-checks and administration records. Talk to current residents about daily responsiveness, meal quality, and safety concerns. Establish expectations for oversight and request a clear discharge-planning framework before admission, so progress and safety can be measured against concrete benchmarks.

In the end, Stonehedge is a high-stakes choice best suited for families with a pragmatic tolerance for risk and a demanding focus on rehabilitation outcomes. If the priority is rapid, therapy-driven recovery and staff advocacy, and if reliable positive interactions with a core group of caregivers are valued above all, Stonehedge can deliver meaningful gains. But if immaculate cleanliness, consistently flawless medication safety, and uniformly compassionate care across all shifts are non-negotiables, pursuing alternatives with stronger, demonstrable safety records is prudent. A well-informed decision will hinge on current firsthand observations, updated staffing realities, and a robust plan for ongoing oversight after admission.

West Roxbury, Massachusetts offers a convenient and accessible location for senior living, with a variety of amenities nearby. The area features multiple pharmacies within a few miles radius, ensuring easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. There are also several hospitals in close proximity, providing quality medical care within a short distance. In terms of dining options, there are various restaurants offering diverse cuisines for seniors to enjoy. The neighborhood boasts several parks for leisurely walks and outdoor activities, promoting an active lifestyle. Additionally, cafes and theaters provide opportunities for socialization and entertainment. With transportation options like MBTA stations nearby, seniors have easy access to public transit for getting around the area. Overall, West Roxbury offers a well-rounded community with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Wegmans (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Corrib Pub & Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Eggs & Thai Cafe (3 miles)
• Veggie Crust (3.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.6 miles)
• Echo Bridge Restaurant (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• West Roxbury VA Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (2.6 miles)
• New England Baptist Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (4 miles)
• Boston Children's Hospital (4.1 miles)
• New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center (4.5 miles)
• Newton-Wellesley Hospital (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Pagel Playground (1.6 miles)
• Larz Anderson Park (1.8 miles)
• Cutler Park (2.5 miles)
• Jamaica Pond (2.6 miles)
• Olmsted Park (2.9 miles)
• Almont Park (2.9 miles)
• Franklin Park (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Mike's Donuts (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (2.6 miles)
• French Press Bakery & Cafe (4.4 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (4.7 miles)
• Reign Drink Lab (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• Showcase SuperLux (2.6 miles)
• Cinema World Majestic 7 (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Dedham Medical (3.2 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (3.8 miles)
• Bidmc Lowry Building (4 miles)
• Harvard Medical School (4.1 miles)
• Carney Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (4.7 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (4.7 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Reservoir Station (3.3 miles)
• Readville (3.5 miles)
• MBTA Ruggles Station (4.6 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (4.6 miles)
• MBTA Kenmore Station (5.1 miles)
• Route 128 station (5.4 miles)
• MBTA - JFK/UMass (5.5 miles)