Pine Acres Nursing Home in Madison, NJ

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Pros

• The care and staff at Pine Acres are excellent.
• The Admissions Director at Pine Acres Rehab Center is incredibly kind and helpful.
• The staff consistently go above and beyond to make residents comfortable and cared for.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and well-maintained, creating a home-like environment.
• The Occupational and Physical Therapies at Pine Acres are superb.
• The rehab services offer personalized programs that truly aid recovery and long-term health.
• The nursing staff are compassionate, professional, and attentive.
• Pine Acres has created an environment where residents feel like family and part of a caring community.
• Pine Acres Rehab is simply the best for sub-acute, long-term, or respite stays.
• The food at Pine Acres is second to none.

Cons

• The facility is described as horrible and unclean, with a strong odor and inadequate cleanliness.
• The nursing staff are labeled as neglectful and incompetent, failing to recognize infections and allowing serious conditions like sepsis.
• Call buttons are ignored and residents are left waiting long times for basic care or pain medication.
• There is widespread understaffing, especially at night, leading to slow response to patients’ needs.
• Some staff members do not speak English well, creating communication difficulties for residents.
• Meals are sometimes inappropriate or served cold, and in at least one case a resident aspirated after improper feeding.
• Management is criticized as uncaring or unresponsive, with reports of poor communication with families and unanswered concerns.
• One reviewer claimed that once admitted, residents cannot leave.

Review

Pine Acres Nursing Home in Madison is best suited for families that want strong subacute rehabilitation and ongoing long‑term care delivered by a devoted, people-focused team. This community shines when a loved one needs a clear, hands-on rehab plan and steady, compassionate daily support. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the admissions process as humane and reassuring, with staff who stay engaged from intake to discharge. The rehab program itself is consistently praised for its personalization, with physical and occupational therapy that patients feel moves them forward. The facility also earns points for a clean, home-like ambiance and meaningful activities that keep residents mentally and socially engaged. For families who value accessibility of the care team, visible commitment from administrators, and a welcoming environment, Pine Acres stands out as a practical, dependable option.

That said, alternatives should be on the table for families prioritizing uniform, around-the-clock excellence on every shift and across every floor, or for those who worry about inconsistencies that show up in some experiences. Several reviews raise flags about night-time responsiveness, with reports of delayed assistance and medications, as well as concerns about staff communication and attentiveness on certain floors. The building itself is described by some as older and less modern, with cramped layouts on some wings and limited public spaces, which matters for families who want maximum privacy and ease of navigation. For those seeking a facility with pristine, uniformly updated interiors and consistently rapid response on all shifts, exploring other nearby options may reduce risk.

The core strengths, the high-quality rehab, the attentive nursing and aides, and the overall emphasis on dignity and family communication, often offset many of the drawbacks. Positive experiences emphasize therapists who collaborate well with physicians, dietitians who tailor menus, social workers who coordinate updates, and front-desk staff who keep families in the loop. When care is well coordinated, residents recover more quickly, and families report greater peace of mind. The same threads show up in long-term stays: staff who remember names, a culture of respect, and a facility that feels orderly and welcoming. In short, Pine Acres can deliver consistent, capable care that helps families sleep at night, particularly when the care plan is well explained and actively managed.

However, the spectrum of experiences includes serious cautions. Instances of missed or delayed pain medication, gaps in night coverage, and reports of some staff being brusque or inattentive recur in a meaningful minority of reviews. There are troubling anecdotes about deteriorations that followed lapses in monitoring or communication, including concerns about chart awareness and escalation to medical teams. Theft accusations and concerns about how information is shared with families also surface in a few accounts. While many families sing praises about personal warmth and professional competence, these outliers underscore the essential need for prospective movers to verify floor-by-floor staffing patterns, establish a clear plan for urgent needs, and probe how problems are reported and resolved.

To make the most informed decision, visit with a sharp, practical checklist in mind. Request a tour of multiple floors and observe night staff coverage, call-bell response, and the cadence of PT sessions. Ask for floor-specific ratios, the cadence of family updates, and how rapidly concerns are escalated to an administrator or medical director. Seek out current residents and family members who can paint a candid picture of daily life, especially on evenings and weekends. Inquire about memory care capabilities if dementia is a concern, and confirm the availability of private rooms and the dining options that meet dietary needs. Finally, insist on a concrete discharge and transition plan that includes ongoing communication, so the choice feels proactive rather than reactive.

Bottom line: Pine Acres offers a robust, person-centered option for families prioritizing rehab quality, compassionate care, and a homey atmosphere. For many, the combination of skilled therapists, attentive nurses, and a responsive administrative team creates a dependable foundation for recovery and steady daily living. Yet the decision hinges on floor-to-floor consistency, night-time reliability, and the comfort level with an older facility footprint. If these factors align, if tours reveal strong night coverage, transparent communication, and a care culture that prioritizes dignity in every shift, Pine Acres can be a sound, durable choice. If not, or if updated facilities and uniform performance across floors are non-negotiables, exploring closely related options nearby will spare families a avoidable mismatch and ensure peace of mind for the long haul.

Located in Madison, New Jersey, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. With multiple restaurants ranging from casual dining options like McCool's Ice Cream Parlour to more upscale choices like Legal Sea Foods and The Cheesecake Factory, residents have plenty of dining options to enjoy. There are also several pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medications. For healthcare needs, there are reputable physicians like Summit Medical Group and specialty clinics like New Jersey Spine Center within a short distance. Additionally, the area features cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread for social outings or quiet relaxation. Parks such as Florham Park Recreation Department and Ginty Field provide opportunities for outdoor activities and leisurely walks. Transportation options including nearby train stations make it convenient for seniors to travel around the area. Finally, places of worship like Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offer spiritual support along with hospitals like Morristown Memorial Hospital Atlantic Health for any medical emergencies. Overall, this part of Madison provides a comfortable and convenient environment for senior living with a range of amenities and services within easy reach.

Restaurants

• McCool's Ice Cream Parlour (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Twin Elephant Brewing Company (3.3 miles)
• Legal Sea Foods (3.4 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (3.5 miles)
• Town bar + kitchen (3.5 miles)
• La Provence (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Summit Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Madison Pediatrics (2.6 miles)
• New Jersey Spine Center (3.1 miles)
• EHE International (3.2 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (4 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (5.4 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Lokl Cafe (3.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)

Parks

• Florham Park Recreation Department (1.8 miles)
• Loantaka Brook Reservation Recreation Area (2.4 miles)
• Ginty Field (2.7 miles)
• The Morristown Green (3.8 miles)
• Volunteers Park (8.1 miles)
• Memorial Park (8.2 miles)
• Forest Road Park (8.3 miles)

Transportation

• Signature Flight Support (2.2 miles)
• NJT - Summit Station (4.7 miles)
• NJT - Short Hills Station (5.8 miles)
• NJT - Millburn Station (6.8 miles)
• NJT - Maplewood Station (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (3.3 miles)
• Church of the Little Flower (6 miles)
• Liquid Church (6.3 miles)
• St Vincent De Paul Rc Church (7.2 miles)
• Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church (7.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Morristown Memorial Hospital Atlantic Health (3.3 miles)
• Saint Barnabas Medical Center (6.2 miles)
• Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC East Hanover 12 (3.7 miles)