Ocean Convalescent Ctr Inc in Lakewood, NJ

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

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Pros

• The staff are kind and provide excellent care.
• The facility feels welcoming and is clean, well staffed, and pleasantly decorated.
• The nurses and CNAs on A Wing are outstanding and consistently attentive.
• The therapy team is enthusiastic and expert, helping residents regain function.
• Josephine Celentano is one of the kindest and most generous people encountered.
• Concord Rehab is highly recommended for its care, professionalism, and compassion.
• The administration and social services coordinate care smoothly and keep families informed.
• The environment is bright, open, and conducive to healing.
• The care team treats residents with dignity and respect, making families feel reassured.

Cons

• One reviewer describes the wound-care nurse as stinking, foul, and nasty.
• Another reviewer reports that the nurses give patients the runaround.
• A reviewer warns prospective families not to choose Concord, claiming the facility lacks knowledge in dementia care and lets patients decline.
• A comment notes that promises of high-quality care were not matched by the actual level of care.
• The same reviewer says the nurses and aides often act as if questions from families are a bother, and an aide nearly flipped a patient while changing sheets.

Review

This Lakewood community is best suited for seniors who need short-term, outcome-driven rehabilitation after surgery, a fall, or a medical setback and whose families prioritize a highly active therapy program, clear care coordination, and a welcoming, home-like atmosphere. It works best for residents who arrive with a defined rehab plan and a goal of returning home or to a less-assisted setting. Those whose needs center primarily on dementia-specific care, long-term custodial support, or highly complex medical management may want to compare other options that focus more narrowly on those areas. The strongest case is made for families seeking a rehab-forward stay with robust therapy, attentive nursing, and hands-on administration that treats recovery as a team effort.

On the upside, the central value proposition here is proven rehabilitation and attentive clinical care. Reviewers repeatedly praise the nursing and therapy teams for their kindness, competence, and persistence. Physical therapy is described as enthusiastic and expert, with patients often making meaningful strides in mobility and independence. The care teams, nurses, CNAs, dietitians, social workers, and therapists, are cited for being responsive, communicative, and deeply involved in coordinating a patient’s plan. Administration, especially figures like the admissions liaison and the director of social services, are lauded for smoothing transitions, clarifying options, and keeping families informed. The environment itself reinforces recovery, clean facilities, pleasant décor, effective climate control, and meals that meet dietary needs. For families prioritizing reliable rehab services and supportive, approachable staff, the balance of pros is compelling.

Still, several reviews surface notable caveats that cannot be dismissed. A minority of comments point to friction in daily nursing communication or instances when questions about progress felt delayed or met with resistance. A few customers raise concerns about wound-care leadership and some aspects of on-site care where dementia care or cognitive support did not meet expectations, suggesting that specialized dementia expertise may be uneven across shifts. There are mentions of staffing gaps, particularly CNAs, and one or two reports that safety and bedside handling could have been more meticulous. While these threads are not universal, they signal the necessity of proactive care planning, explicit expectations, and timely escalation when concerns arise.

Those strengths can more than offset the drawbacks when plans are executed with intention. For families focused on functional gains, the documented success in helping patients walk again after a hip fracture, regain speech, or recover from stroke is a powerful argument in favor of choosing this program. Strong discharge planning and ongoing follow-up, supported by social workers and care coordinators, help reduce the risk of readmission and facilitate a smoother transition home or to the next care phase. The cohesive team culture, visible leadership accessibility, and a culture of checking in with families create a sense of reliability that often reduces worry during a stressful recovery period. In short, for rehab-first goals, the positives tend to outperform the negatives when engaged care teams are fully activated.

When deciding, the practical approach is clear: pursue this option if the primary objective is a high-caliber rehab experience supported by engaged clinicians, transparent communication, and a team-driven approach to recovery. Before moving forward, parents or guardians should request a care conference, meet the therapy team, and review a preliminary plan with the social worker to confirm post-discharge steps and home health needs. If dementia care or long-term custodial support is the central requirement, or if past experiences with staff responsiveness raise concerns, it is wise to compare with facilities that emphasize dementia-specific programs or longer-term skilled nursing. A candid tour, with a face-to-face discussion with admissions and the DON, will reveal whether the daily routines, staffing levels, and care philosophy align with the loved one’s needs.

In the end, this Lakewood center stands out as a strong, rehab-focused option with a track record of compassionate care and tangible recovery outcomes. The breadth of therapy services, the clarity of administrative support, and the overall environment support swift and meaningful progress for many residents. Yet a handful of experiences point to gaps that can matter if dementia needs or highly particular care protocols are required. This is not a generic boarding-house approach; it is a recovery-focused facility deserving of serious consideration by families who want aggressive rehabilitation, consistent family communication, and a proven pathway back to independence. If those criteria match, scheduling a visit and engaging the admissions team will provide the clearest sense of fit and a concrete sense of what recovery can look like.

Located in Lakewood, New Jersey, this area offers a variety of medical services within a short distance, including Shore Medical Specialists and Infectious Diseases Professionals. There are also several pharmacies nearby, such as Target Pharmacy and Westgate Pharmacy. In terms of dining options, you will find Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap and Chick-Fil-A within a few miles. For entertainment, AMC Brick Plaza 1 is just a short drive away. Additionally, there are parks like Windward Beach Park for outdoor recreation. Overall, this part of Lakewood provides convenient access to healthcare, amenities, and leisure activities, making it a potentially attractive option for senior living.

Physicians

• Shore Medical Specialists (1.7 miles)
• Infectious Diseases Professionals (1.8 miles)
• Cataract & Laser Institute PA (1.8 miles)
• Dr A Gupta- Cardiologist (1.9 miles)
• Coastal Urology (2.3 miles)
• Iorio Plastic Surgery & Medspa (3.9 miles)
• Garden State Pain & Radiology Center (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Target Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Westgate Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Parkway Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)

Restaurants

• Cornerstone Kitchen & Tap (3.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.1 miles)
• McDonald's (4.2 miles)
• McDonald's (4.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.6 miles)
• Ikko Japanese Steak House (4.7 miles)
• Wendy's (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Ocean Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Meridian Health System (4.5 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Brick Plaza 1 (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Windward Beach Park (6 miles)
• Angela Hibbard Dog Park (7.4 miles)
• Orchard Park (8.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (8.4 miles)
• Green Planet Coffee Co. (8.6 miles)