Ocean Convalescent Ctr Inc in Lakewood, NJ

Pros

• The facility is clean and well staffed, with food that looks good.
• The staff are professional and considerate.
• Physical therapy is enthusiastic and expert.
• The climate control is great and comfortable.
• The kosher kitchen provides good meals.
• The nurses and CNAs are outstanding, caring, and consistently on top of their game.
• The administration and admissions teams are responsive and helpful, making transitions smooth.
• The care teams help residents regain function, with many patients walking again after rehab.
• The environment is bright, open, and welcoming, making families feel at ease.
• The staff treat residents with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Cons

• The lady in charge of wound care is described as stinking, foul, and nasty.
• The nurses give patients the runaround.
• They caution others not to leave a loved one at Concord, saying the facility lacks knowledge in dementia care and lets patients decline.
• The nurses and aides often act as though questions or updates are a bother.
• There is a perceived need for more CNAs to assist residents.
• The tour-promised high-quality care does not always match the care actually delivered.

Review

Ocean Convalescent Center is best suited for families seeking high-quality short-term rehab and convalescent care in a warm, well-staffed setting. It excels for loved ones recovering from surgery, a stroke, or a serious medical event who need strong physical therapy, reliable nursing, and daily assistance within a dignified, home-like environment. The community shines when dietary needs align with a kosher kitchen and when families value clear care coordination, regular progress updates, and a facility that feels clean, bright, and manageable. It is less ideal for residents whose primary need is dementia-specific, long-term memory care or around-the-clock supervision in a unit dedicated to advanced cognitive impairment.

The strongest positives center on staffing depth and therapy quality. The nursing team and CNAs are consistently praised for competence, attentiveness, and a genuine willingness to go beyond the call of duty. Physical therapy is repeatedly described as enthusiastic and expert, delivering tangible gains in mobility and function. Families repeatedly cite open communication, thorough admissions support, and thoughtful social-work coordination as major drivers of a smooth, low-stress transition from hospital to rehab. The dining program - especially the kosher kitchen - and climate-controlled, comfortable rooms are consistently highlighted as practical, patient-centered amenities that support recovery. The open, bright environment with natural light further reinforces a sense of well-being that supports healing and daily participation in therapy and activities.

On the downside, a few reviews flag isolated shortcomings. A negative encounter with wound-care leadership and some reports of being given the runaround by staff suggest that communication and accountability can falter in specific moments or units. A minority of families express concerns about dementia care, suggesting that knowledge and practice in memory-care scenarios may not meet every family's expectations. Another recurring refrain is that, in certain instances, staff may feel like questions or requests are a bother, or that additional CNAs could improve responsiveness. Taken together, these concerns are not the norm in the broad experience described by most families, but they do signal the need for careful unit-by-unit evaluation and explicit expectations during tours and admissions.

Those pros offset the cons in several important ways. For families prioritizing robust rehab outcomes, the combination of highly capable nurses, skilled CNAs, and a therapy team that shows up consistently translates into faster progress and greater confidence about discharge planning. The administrative backbone - admissions coordinators, social workers, and a responsive leadership team - creates a framework for timely problem-solving and clearer care trajectories, which can blunt worries about isolated service gaps. Cleanliness, safe handling, and a respectful atmosphere contribute to a sense of security and dignity even when hiccups occur. In essence, the overall experience tends to deliver meaningful, measurable gains in function and comfort, while the less-favorable reports point to specific occurrences rather than systemic failures.

For families choosing between options, this community stands out for rehabilitation-focused care with a proven track record of patient progress and family reassurance. It is a particularly strong pick when the priority is reliable daily care, transparent communication, and a high-performing therapy program. Those with dementia-centered needs or a requirement for constant, specialized supervision should explore alternatives that offer dedicated memory-care programs and higher ratios of staff trained for long-term cognitive impairment. Prospective residents should also prepare to ask pointed questions about unit-specific capabilities, wound-care procedures, and care-planning processes to ensure alignment with loved ones' needs and expectations.

Practical next steps are clear. Schedule a visit and request time with the admissions liaison to walk through a care plan, therapy schedule, and daily routines. Meet with the unit manager and the director of nursing to hear how care is coordinated across shifts and to observe how staff engage residents and families. Ask to see a recent care conference format, a sample rehab plan, and a real-time update process so confidence can be built around communication. Confirm room options, dietary accommodations, and any cost inclusions or addons. If dementia care is a requirement, inquire specifically about staff credentials, unit structure, and programming to ensure alignment with expectations. The admissions team, including standout coordinators who repeatedly earn praise, can tailor a transition that matches the specific recovery goals and family involvement preferred.

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)