Cranford Health & Extended Care/ Birchwood Square in Cranford, NJ

Cranford Health & Extended Care/ Birchwood Square is a nursing home community in Cranford, NJ.

Information last verified: June 22, 2026

205 Birchwood Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.2 from 139 reviews

5 stars

96

4 stars

19

3 stars

3

2 stars

4

1 stars

17

Cranford Health & Extended Care/ Birchwood Square Costs & Pricing

Cranford Health & Extended Care/Birchwood Square presents competitive pricing for its accommodations, with monthly costs reflecting the premium services provided. For a semi-private room, residents can expect to pay $7,800, which is notably higher than the average cost in Union County at $6,083 and significantly above New Jersey's state average of $5,068. When it comes to private rooms, the facility charges $8,250, again surpassing local and statewide averages - Union County's rate stands at $7,358 and New Jersey's overall figures show a lower average of $5,799. These costs not only encompass essential care but also highlight the facility's commitment to offering a quality living experience tailored to each resident's needs.

Floor plans	Cranford Health & Extended Care/ Birchwood Square	Union County	New Jersey
Semi-Private	$7,800	$6,083	$5,068
Private	$8,250	$7,358	$5,799

Overall Review of Cranford Health & Extended Care/ Birchwood Square

common 3 reviews mention this

Help getting residents up

Residents and families describe quick, attentive help with getting up and repositioning.

Several reviews highlight the hands-on support they saw when residents struggled to move—especially getting out of bed and into a chair. Families also mention staff responding when they asked for assistance lifting someone to a more comfortable position. One reviewer even credited the staff with helping a relative who had been refusing to sit up.

common 3 reviews mention this

Cleanliness and odor control

Reviews repeatedly mention a clean environment and few unpleasant odors.

Multiple visitors describe the facility as clean and well kept. A couple of reviews specifically call out minimal odor, including one that said there were no strong odors during their visit. While some other reviews were sharply critical, the cleanliness comments show up consistently in the overall feedback.

common 3 reviews mention this

Activities keep people engaged

Residents are regularly kept busy with activities and recreation programming.

Reviews mention an active recreation effort, including staff helping plan and run activities that keep residents engaged. Some visitors also describe structured daily entertainment like readings and word games around meals. An entertainer who visits the facility says the environment feels welcoming and that residents appear well cared for during events.

caveat 2 reviews mention this

Busy times can mean delays

Some reviews warn that weekends and busy periods can lead to slower help.

A couple of reviews point to staffing strain around holidays and weekends. One family member said wait times for assistance increased during a particularly busy holiday period, and they specifically wished there were more aides. Another reviewer echoed the same concern about understaffed weekends and holidays.

caveat 3 reviews mention this

Medication and basic-care concerns

A few reviews describe serious problems with medication delivery and basic care.

Some of the most severe reviews describe lapses that families believe affected outcomes. They mention situations like medication taking too long to administer, medication issues not being resolved in time, and basic-care needs such as hydration not being met. These comments also include disappointment with communication and follow-through when families raised concerns during the stay.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes become a section.

Features

Types of Care

Skilled Nursing Facility

Amenities

Activities on-site
Beautician on-site
Devotional services on-site
Indoor common areas
Outdoor common areas
Private
Respite or short term stays offered
Wheelchair accessible showers

Transportation

Newark International (7 miles away)
LaGuardia (23 miles away)

Care Services

Diabetic care
High acuity care
Incontinence care

Dining

Meals provided

Activities

Activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site

Nearby Places of Interest

This part of Cranford, New Jersey offers a convenient location with various amenities nearby that may be beneficial for senior living. There are several physicians, pharmacies, cafes, parks, restaurants, transportation options, places of worship, theaters and a hospital within close proximity. This area is well-connected and provides easy access to healthcare services, shopping centers, dining options and recreational activities. The presence of multiple parks offers opportunities for outdoor excursions and relaxation. Additionally, the nearby transportation options make it convenient for seniors to travel within the area and beyond. Overall, this part of Cranford presents a well-rounded community with essential services and facilities for senior residents.

Physicians

Kenilworth Primary Care (0.5 miles)
Premier Urology Group (0.8 miles)
Merck (1.1 miles)
Kartan Saritha Summit Medical Group Westfield (2.3 miles)
Summit Medical Group (4.4 miles)
New Jersey Spine Center (6.6 miles)
Summit Medical Group (7.5 miles)

Pharmacies

ACME Markets Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
Walgreens (1.3 miles)
Walgreens (2.3 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
Walgreens (2.5 miles)
Walgreens (2.6 miles)
CVS Speciality (2.9 miles)

Cafes

Starbucks (1.7 miles)
The Bread Stand (4 miles)
True Salvage Cafe (4.7 miles)
Dunkin (5.9 miles)
Starbucks (6.6 miles)

Parks

Winfield Park (2.3 miles)
Mindowaskin Park (3 miles)
Milton Lake Park (4.1 miles)
Memorial Park (4.5 miles)
Ponderosa Farm Park (4.9 miles)
Milo S. Borden Park (4.9 miles)
Forest Road Park (5.3 miles)

Restaurants

El Gordo (2.3 miles)
Huck Finn Diner (2.5 miles)
Bond Street Cafe (4 miles)
Millburn Delicatessen (4 miles)
Bagels 4 U of Short Hills (4.2 miles)
The Able Baker (4.4 miles)
Stage House Tavern (5.7 miles)

Transportation

NJT - Millburn Station (4.1 miles)
NJT - Rahway Station (4.3 miles)
NJT - Short Hills Station (4.4 miles)
NJT - Maplewood Station (4.5 miles)
NJT - Summit Station (4.9 miles)
Avis Rent A Car (5.7 miles)
Hertz Rent A Car (5.7 miles)

Places of Worship

Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church (4.4 miles)
Church of the Little Flower (7.8 miles)

Theaters

2198 Amc Jersey Garden (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

Saint Barnabas Medical Center (6.7 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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