Bel-Air Nursing Home

Pros

• Bel-Air Nursing and Rehab is a wonderful facility with amazing dedicated staff.
• The facility is clean and the staff go out of their way for everyone.
• The staff are attentive and friendly.
• The environment is a home and family environment.
• The nursing staff are wonderful.
• The place is always clean, with flowers on dining tables and holiday decorations that residents and families appreciate.
• Bel-Air continues to be a five-star rated facility according to Medicare.
• Bel-Air has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of the top ten facilities in the state.
• The food is home cooked.

Cons

• The reviewer said it was not so good and that getting the facility to return phone calls was next to impossible.
• They claimed that staff were posting reviews about the place or that the owners run it, which the reviewer found concerning.
• They described entering the facility and smelling feces and urine.
• They observed two nurses for about ten patients who appeared half-drugged, sitting in a circle, and not communicating.
• They criticized the lack of and mishandling of palliative care, including conflicting reports and delayed recognition of the patient's decline.
• They reported that staff rarely visited the room, and when they did, it was only to administer morphine and change incontinence care, leaving the patient largely unengaged.
• They stated the owner never contacted the family after the death.

Review

Bel-Air Nursing and Rehab Center sits in a quiet, rural setting and presents itself as a multi-level care community with independent living options, short-term rehab, long-term care, and memory support. Across numerous reflections, the campus is repeatedly described as welcoming and peaceful, with residents and their families appreciating the sense of home and the care extended to those who live there. Several reviewers highlight the new independent living apartments as particularly beautiful, suggesting that the facility is investing in comfortable, modern spaces to match its care-forward ethos.

A dominant thread in many accounts is the dedication and warmth of the staff. From the front desk to the therapy gym, reviewers consistently praise caregivers for kindness, attentiveness, and willingness to go the extra mile. Therapies - physical, occupational, and otherwise - are frequently cited as effective, with residents occasionally noting quick progress and improved mobility after rehabilitation programs. One reviewer specifically credits the physical and emotional care given to a husband with severe disability, noting that staff treated him with dignity and even made visits easier during pandemic restrictions, helping family members stay connected despite challenging times. In the same vein, individual team members - such as Joyce and Delilah - are singled out for outstanding communication and compassionate care, reinforcing a perception of staff who treat residents like family.

The environment itself is repeatedly described as clean, well-kept, and home-like, with several reviews praising small but meaningful touches that brighten daily life. Flowers on dining tables, holiday decorations, and thoughtful gestures are cited as evidence of a caring atmosphere that attends not only to medical needs but also to emotional well-being. There are anecdotes of practical support that extend beyond clinical care - one reviewer mentions staff helping to empty a storage unit, while another recalls a team member fetching items from a shelter to assist a resident. Such stories contribute to a picture of a facility where the staff are attentive to the broader life of each resident.

However, the reviews are not uniformly glowing. A number of visitors describe difficult experiences that raise questions about communication and day-to-day operations. One reviewer notes that getting return calls from the facility can be a challenge, describing it as "next to impossible" at times. In another instance, a prospective visitor recounted a negative tour experience, with an overwhelming odor of feces and pee upon entry, a lack of clear guidance, and staff who appeared distracted and unengaged. The reviewer urged prospective families to tour unannounced to see the facility as it truly operates, rather than the polished impression often presented during planned visits. Such accounts emphasize the variability in day-to-day experiences and the importance of firsthand observation.

The most emotionally charged reflections touch on end-of-life care and palliative management. A grieving family member shared a painful narrative about a loved one who contracted COVID and was placed in isolation. The account describes conflicting information about the patient's condition, limited communication, and, in the family's view, a failure to respond promptly as the situation deteriorated. The narrative includes allegations about specific staff behavior and responses, culminating in a sense of disappointment that the family felt the facility did not adequately address end-of-life needs. These deeply personal stories contrast with other more positive memories and underscore how critical and sensitive the moments surrounding decline and death can be for families.

In parallel with individual experiences, Bel-Air is positioned in public benchmarks as a high-quality facility in some respects. Several reviewers reference Medicare's five-star rating and national recognitions, while others point to praise from independent assessments like US News and World Report. They acknowledge the facility's compliance with COVID guidelines as a necessary part of operating during a challenging period, noting that such requirements can temporarily affect visitations and family access. Together, these notes reflect a complex picture: a facility with strong, widely acknowledged strengths in care, cleanliness, and supportive staff, yet also facing genuine concerns about communication, tour transparency, and the nuances of end-of-life care.

Ultimately, the collection of reviews paints a nuanced portrait of Bel-Air Nursing and Rehab Center. For many residents and families, the community represents a place of compassion, cleanliness, and competent rehabilitation, where staff members treat residents with respect and cultivate a welcoming atmosphere. For others, experiences vary widely - from difficult tours and challenges in returning calls to troubling accounts of palliative care communication and late-life decisions. The overarching takeaway is that Bel-Air embodies a caring mission in a peaceful rural setting, but prospective families are encouraged to visit, ask pointed questions, and observe daily operations to form a complete, balanced view of how care is delivered day-to-day.

Located in a quiet and convenient part of Goffstown, New Hampshire, this area offers a variety of amenities for senior living. With easy access to restaurants such as Devriendt Farm, Putnam's Waterview Restaurant, and Fratello's Italian Grille, residents can enjoy a range of dining options. Nearby pharmacies like Rite Aid and Walmart Pharmacy provide convenient access to medication and healthcare needs. Additionally, parks like Stark Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical care, there are physicians like Jessica G. Clem, MD, MPH and hospitals like Catholic Medical Center within close proximity. With cafes like Panera Bread and transportation options such as U-Haul neighborhood dealer and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport also nearby, seniors can enjoy a comfortable and well-rounded lifestyle in this area of Goffstown.

Restaurants

• Devriendt Farm (1.5 miles)
• Putnam's Waterview Restaurant (2.4 miles)
• Fratello's Italian Grille (4.6 miles)
• Cotton (4.7 miles)
• Wendy's (4.9 miles)
• The Foundry Restaurant (4.9 miles)
• Strange Brew Tavern (4.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.7 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (4.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Stark Park (4.2 miles)
• Donati Memorial Park (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Manchester Christian Church (4.5 miles)

Physicians

• Jessica G. Clem, MD, MPH (4.5 miles)
• PTU Lab & Technology Solutions (4.5 miles)
• Anesthesia Care Group PC (4.5 miles)
• Diabetes Resource Center CMC (4.6 miles)
• Amoskeag Primary Care (4.6 miles)
• Northeast Dermatology Associates, PC (4.7 miles)
• Child Health Services (4.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Catholic Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Marketing Initiatives (5.3 miles)
• Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center (5.8 miles)
• Elliot Hospital (6.4 miles)
• Elliot Hospital Surgical Day Care (6.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• The Inside Scoop (6.2 miles)
• Pressed Cafe (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)
• Starbucks (8.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemagic Hooksett (5.8 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (8.5 miles)
• Eastern Bank Business Center at Manchester Boston Regional Airport (8.8 miles)
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) (8.8 miles)