Laurelton Village in Brick, NJ

Pros

• The staff are attentive to residents' needs and friendly.
• The nurse and physical therapists are knowledgeable and positive.
• Nurses are wonderful and dedicated.
• The facility has private rooms and is very clean.
• The nursing staff is excellent.
• The staff are exceptionally friendly, reliable, and always willing to assist.
• The activities department is amazing and keeps residents engaged.
• The therapy department cares immensely and helps residents reach their goals.

Cons

• The food is terrible and the coffee is equally bad.
• The facility is severely understaffed, with reports of only four nursing assistants for 88 residents.
• Nurses do not consistently follow doctors' instructions regarding medication times.
• Call bells are not answered promptly, sometimes taking up to 20 minutes.
• Cleanliness is not consistently maintained; bathrooms and halls are not clean.
• Do not send your loved one here.

Review

Laurelton Village in Brick, NJ is best suited for families seeking a rehab- and recovery-focused environment where the staff-level care and a clean, home-like setting are prioritized. The community consistently earns praise for attentive nursing and therapy teams, private rehab rooms, and a culture that feels personal and supportive. For residents emerging from hospitalization or needing short- to mid-term rehabilitation, Laurelton can be a strong fit thanks to a robust therapy department, engaged social workers, and a front-line staff that many families describe as compassionate, responsive, and dedicated. The memory-care and post-acute pathways are highlighted by families who value disciplined, thoughtful care in a bright, well-kept environment.

Those considering alternatives should weigh cautions raised in a subset of reviews. Some families express concern about understaffing, particularly on weekends or during disruptive weather, and about communication gaps between administration, nursing, and families. A number of comments point to inconsistencies in medication timing and in following physician orders, as well as perceived lapses in safety and supervision in some care episodes. The Medicare-related ratings cited by critics add another dimension: while many experiences are glowing, there are real concerns about scale and consistency that prospective residents should scrutinize. For seniors whose top priorities are uniformly consistent care, decisive leadership, and a consistently high safety standard, exploring other options may be prudent.

The facility’s core strengths are hard to miss. Nursing and therapy teams receive frequent unanimous praise for their warmth, competence, and ability to push progress in rehab sweet spots like mobility and gait. The environment is repeatedly described as clean, bright, and well maintained, with private rooms that are comfortable for recovery and ongoing care. The therapy department is a standout, delivering purposeful, goal-driven rehab that residents report helps them get back on their feet and home safely. Administrative accessibility also comes up in reviews: administrators and social workers who are hands-on, responsive, and genuinely focused on individual care plans help families feel supported during transitions.

However, the downsides aren’t trivial. Several reviewers flag communication friction and variability in how well orders and meds are managed, sometimes involving delays or misalignment with doctors’ instructions. There are repeated cautions about weekend staffing gaps and the difficulty of ensuring consistent, round-the-clock oversight. A few accounts describe alarming safety lapses and less-than-ideal patient experiences, including concerns about pain management, hydration, and responsiveness in certain shifts. Food quality and dining experience emerge as another inconsistency, with some residents and families finding meals acceptable and others wishing for brighter options. The aging feel of some parts of the building and occasional logistical quirks (like confusing parking signage) also surface in mixed feedback.

When weighing pros against cons, Laurelton’s rehab- and staff-centric advantages often offset many daily challenges for residents focused on recovery and activity engagement. For families prioritizing therapy outcomes, private rehab space, and a caring, approachable staff, the positives tend to be compelling enough to choose Laurelton with clear expectations about potential variability in staffing and oversight. The facility’s demonstrated commitment to clean surroundings, proactive social work support, and a spirited activities program further reinforces its value for many residents who want to stay engaged, regain function, and return home with confidence. Yet the more serious safety and consistency concerns raised by some reviews cannot be ignored; they create a meaningful caveat for any decision tied to long-term safety, regulatory confidence, or uniform care delivery.

Practically, this means a thoughtful, fact-based evaluation is essential. Prospective families should request current state survey results and the latest care-plan documentation, and should tour during rehab activities to observe therapy quality, call-bell responsiveness, and the cadence of daily routines. Speaking with front-desk staff, therapists, and, crucially, the unit supervisors on both memory and skilled-care floors can illuminate whether the day-to-day reality aligns with the strongest testimonials. Ask how staffing ratios are managed on weekends and holidays, how meds are tracked and administered, and what processes exist to escalate concerns to leadership when issues arise. In short, Laurelton Village offers a compelling, care-focused option for recovery and engaged living, but it benefits from diligent due diligence: verify staffing stability, grill leadership responsiveness, and compare the overall resident experience to nearby alternatives before committing.

In the end, Laurelton Village stands out for its practical strengths: a clean, welcoming setting; strong rehab teams; and a culture of attentiveness that many families find reassuring. It is an excellent choice for seniors who need skilled rehabilitation, private rooms, and a personable, involved staff who treat residents like family. Families whose priorities tilt toward unwavering safety, consistent medication management, and uniformly high staffing standards may want to explore other communities first, or request direct conversations with program directors to set clear expectations and guardrails. With careful due diligence and on-site observation, Laurelton Village can be a decision that delivers real gains in recovery, quality of life, and peace of mind for both residents and their loved ones.

Physicians

• Pineland Associates: Theresa Benecki, MD (0.1 miles)
• Thomas R Lake III MD FACS (0.1 miles)
• Garden State Pain & Radiology Center (0.1 miles)
• Ami (0.2 miles)
• Jersey Coast Vascular Institute (0.2 miles)
• Seaview Orthopaedic & Medical Associates (0.3 miles)
• Brick Rheumatology (0.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Ocean Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (6.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Butler Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.5 miles)
• Ikko Japanese Steak House (1.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.9 miles)
• River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar (2.8 miles)
• Harpoon Willy's (3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Brick Plaza 1 (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Windward Beach Park (1.9 miles)
• Angela Hibbard Dog Park (3.6 miles)
• Orchard Park (5 miles)

Transportation

• Bay Head Station (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Green Planet Coffee Co. (5.3 miles)
• Rook Coffee (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)