559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Notre Dame Long Term Care Center
Pros
The place is top notch with incredible staff, facility, and level of care.- The staff are caring, friendly, reliable, and professional, prioritizing the care and comfort of each resident.
- The CNAs are the backbone of Notre Dame's exceptional rating, taking excellent care and treating residents like family.
- The campus is beautiful and peaceful, with a friendly, happy staff and residents.
- The meal plan offers a wide variety of options for every meal.
- The linens, towels, and face cloths are incredibly soft.
- The equipment is up-to-date and reliable.
- Notre Dame Rehab is described as the best experience by far, with kind and caring staff.
Cons
The facility was overcrowded due to renovations, with crowded hallways and wheelchairs blocking doorways, like a fire code violation. - Meals were crowded and rushed, served on paper plates with plastic utensils.
- The mother barely ate and lost a considerable amount of weight.
- Staffing shortages were the norm, causing missed shower days and 30-minute or longer waits when the call button was pressed.
- There was inexcusably poor communication between the ND LTC and du Lac programs, hindering discharge planning.
- The rehab discontinued all therapy (PT/OT) without informing the family.
- They expected the mother to wait indefinitely in rehab and move to the memory care, which was not accepting new admissions due to construction.
- The Harmony dining experience lacked a menu, and a staff member ripped the menu away when she tried to order, implying Harmony residents were treated as second-class citizens.
- The laundry was a mess, with missing hangers and overflowing closets.
Review
Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester is best suited for families seeking steady, professional nursing care on a campus that also offers robust rehabilitation, social engagement, and a hotel-like atmosphere. The community shines when a loved one needs reliable day-to-day support from attentive CNAs and nurses, along with a well-staffed rehab team that can help regain mobility and independence. It works especially well for residents who benefit from a structured routine, flavorful meals, and a calm, respectful environment where care is prioritized and staff interactions feel genuine. In short, it’s a strong fit for families prioritizing quality hands-on care and a bright, engaging living setting over a purely residential, “low-key” vibe.
The pros that consistently surface in reviews are hard to overlook. The nursing staff and CNAs are described as caring, friendly, reliable, and professional, forming the backbone of a high-level care experience. The atmosphere is repeatedly noted as clean and welcoming, with a 5-star feel in terms of amenities and upkeep. The meal program earns frequent praise for variety and quality, and the campus delivers a range of activities that keep residents engaged. The rehab side of Notre Dame is repeatedly praised by families who have seen meaningful progress, with PT/OT teams described as capable and compassionate. Hospice and overall resident dignity are highlighted as genuine strengths, reinforcing a reputation for respectful, person-centered care.
Yet the most serious drawbacks center on operational strains tied to renovations and scheduling gaps. Several families described significant overcrowding caused by ongoing construction in the rehab and memory-care-adjacent areas, with crowded dining rooms, blocked doorways, and choked hallways that can undermine safety and ease of movement. Reports of long waits for assistance, missed showers, and other staffing bottlenecks point to a core risk: even excellent staff can be stretched thin when space is limited and admissions continue. Communication gaps between the rehab program and the memory-care unit, plus occasional miscommunication around discharge timing and therapy status, further complicate planning for families navigating transitions.
Understanding how the strengths offset the weaknesses is essential for a practical decision. When the care team is functioning at its best, residents benefit from consistent, compassionate attention, strong clinical care, and a dining and activity program that adds real life to daily routines. The on-site rehab capability can shorten hospital-to-home cycles and supports mobility gains that matter to families. However, the overcrowding and communication glitches can blunt these advantages: crowded spaces raise safety concerns and create frustrating delays, while unclear or shifting discharge plans undermine confidence and planning. For families considering Notre Dame, the overall care quality remains high, but the experience can feel disjointed during periods of renovation or staffing strain.
For families weighing options, a clear picture emerges. Notre Dame is a compelling choice for those who prize exemplary nursing care, engaging social life, and a strong rehab track record, provided the current on-site environment isn’t overwhelmed by construction and vacancy pressures. Prospective move-ins should probe the status of the Harmony memory-care unit during renovations, confirm current transport and appointment coordination practices, and ask how staffing coverage is handled at peak times. If the loved one requires strict, uninterrupted rehab pathways without the potential for temporary program disruptions, or if seamless interdepartmental communication is a non-negotiable, alternative communities with steadier space and clearer discharge protocols deserve consideration.
In the end, Notre Dame Long Term Care Center offers a high-caliber, dignified care option in Worcester with standout nursing staff, a vibrant social milieu, and a capable rehab team. It serves families who can tolerate periodic operational bumps in exchange for consistently warm caregiving and above-average amenities. Those who prioritize guaranteed, disruption-free transitions, unbroken rehab services, and memory-care experiences insulated from ongoing construction should evaluate other local options. For many families seeking a balance of professional care and life-enriching daily rhythms, Notre Dame remains a thoughtfully strong contender worth closer, cautious inspection before committing.
123 resident community capacity
Skilled Nursing Facility
Air-conditioning
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Worcester Regional (6 miles away)
Community operated transportation
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
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