CareOne at Ridgewood Ave in Paramus, NJ

Pros

• The staff are described as friendly, informative, and helpful, making families feel their loved ones are well cared for.
• The facility is described as beautiful, clean, and home-like with compassionate staff.
• Annette Arce is praised as an outstanding concierge, consistently attentive and caring.
• The PT/OT and nursing teams are described as dedicated, capable, and supportive in recovery.
• The dining and kitchen staff provide delicious options and substitutions, enhancing meals for residents.
• CareOne Ridgewood is regarded as among the best rehab/subacute facilities with compassionate, family-friendly care.
• Admissions and front-desk staff are professional, accommodating, and attentive.
• Residents and families report feeling respected, cared for, and part of a caring community.
• A majority of reviewers say they would highly recommend CareOne and would choose it again for care.

Cons

• They warn that sending a loved one there is a huge mistake.
• They report aides don't answer, meds aren't given correctly, and supplies are never available.
• They describe management as awful, with the director not responding to calls.
• They claim dentures were lost and the facility won't take responsibility.
• They allege a patient was left on the floor all night after a fall with no help.
• They say the facility is chronically understaffed, with long waits for assistance and for vitals.
• They note pain medications and hydration were delayed for hours, causing distress.
• They accuse the facility of prioritizing profits over patient care, suggesting "CareZero."
• They call it a "living nightmare" and advise others to stay away.

Review

CareOne at Ridgewood Ave in Paramus is best suited for seniors who need structured rehabilitation after surgery or a medical setback and who benefit from a therapy-forward approach, a warm, home-like atmosphere, and consistently compassionate nursing care. The facility earns praise for its strong PT/OT teams, attentive aides, and a clean, comfortable environment where residents are treated with patience and respect. Families frequently highlight the rehab momentum, the emphasis on getting residents moving again, and the way therapists, nurses, and aides coordinate to support recovery. For anyone prioritizing practical rehab outcomes, reliable assistance with activities of daily living, and a staff that often feels like a family, this community delivers on those fronts.

That said, alternatives are worth considering for residents with higher needs in medical oversight or with significant dementia or safety concerns. Several reviews flag instances of inadequate medical responsiveness, delayed or missed medications, and difficulties with administration and transfer processes. When a resident requires close, constant clinical monitoring or if a family cannot tolerate gaps in communication or accountability at the administrative level, other facilities or home-care options may better align with those expectations. The contrast between consistently excellent rehab experiences and persistent administrative or nursing gaps makes it essential to match the choice to the resident's acuity and the family's tolerance for risk.

On the upside, the core strengths of CareOne at Ridgewood Ave are consistent and compelling. The nursing and therapy teams are repeatedly described as compassionate, patient, and skilled, with aides who "go above and beyond" to support comfort, mobility, and daily routines. The dining and activity programs also receive frequent praise, with residents appreciating both the quality of meals and the engagement provided by the activities staff, including standout personalities like Annette the concierge and an enthusiastic recreation team. The facility's cleanliness and comfort are noticeable positives that help create a reassuring rehab setting, and several families cite measurable gains in mobility and independence thanks to dedicated PT/OT work.

Yet the negatives cannot be ignored, and they sit squarely alongside the wins. A recurring thread in reviews is inconsistent nursing responsiveness, especially on weekends or after-hours, with multiple accounts of delayed assistance, missed medication administration, or insufficient monitoring of vitals and pain control. Belongings such as dentures being lost or mislaid, and disputes over accountability for items, point to gaps in operational systems and family-safety awareness. There are also pointed accusations about administrative accessibility and follow-through, including difficulty reaching leadership or getting timely responses to concerns. Taken together, these concerns reveal a facility that can be superb in therapy and daily care, but with notable risk points if medical oversight and administrative reliability are not actively managed.

From a practical decision-making perspective, the key offsetting factors lie in the consistency and depth of rehab care and the daily care culture. Where CORA shines - watchful therapists, responsive CNAs, and a kitchen and activities program that keep residents engaged - the potential downsides demand proactive management: insist on clear medication routes and schedules, confirm the on-site nursing coverage and weekend staffing plans, request a direct line of communication with nursing leadership, and memorialize all care plans in writing. Prospective families should request a detailed, facility-wide medication protocol, ask to observe call-bell response times, and interview several current residents and families about their experiences with the night and weekend shifts. These steps help ensure the positives portend reliable, ongoing care.

In the final assessment, CareOne at Ridgewood Ave is a strongly advisable option for rehab-focused families who value warmth, staff dedication, and a robust therapy program, and who are prepared to actively oversee medication management and administrative communication. For residents whose needs tilt toward constant medical oversight, strict safety monitoring, or steadfast administrative reliability, it may be prudent to explore alternatives or to pair CORA with a vigilant family or private-duty support plan. The facility's proven rehab outcomes and compassionate culture are compelling reasons to choose it, provided one enters with a clear plan to monitor and advocate, and to press for dependable, transparent operations at every level. A guided tour, candid conversations with frontline staff, and a concrete care-contract discussion should be the next steps before deciding.

This part of Paramus, New Jersey, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several dining options nearby such as the Suburban Diner, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and The Capital Grille, seniors can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences. Additionally, there are several parks in close proximity including Saddle River County Park and Van Saun County Park for recreational activities and relaxation. Access to pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens provide convenience for healthcare needs. The area also features theaters like Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza for entertainment options. Nearby hospitals such as The Valley Hospital and Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center offer quality healthcare services. For spiritual needs, there are various places of worship such as All Saints Episcopal Church and Hawthorne Gospel Church. Transportation options like NJT stations provide easy access for travel around the area. Overall, this part of Paramus is a well-rounded community with amenities tailored to the needs of seniors seeking a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.

Restaurants

• Suburban Diner (1.1 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.9 miles)
• The Capital Grille (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Houston's (3.6 miles)
• Van Dyke Ice Cream (3.6 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (1.5 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (1.6 miles)
• Saddle River County Park (2.2 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (6.2 miles)
• Flat Rock Brook Nature Center (7.4 miles)
• Rutherford Memorial Park (7.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (2.3 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• The Valley Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (3.9 miles)
• Holy Name Medical Center (5.5 miles)
• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• All Saints Episcopal Church (3 miles)
• Community Church Of Glen Rock (3 miles)
• Hawthorne Gospel Church (5 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (6.5 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (7.3 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (7.6 miles)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (8.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Bogota Press Cafe (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Willow & Whisk (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Kayal Orthopedic - Westwood (3.9 miles)
• Paterson Community Health Center (5.6 miles)
• Christian Health Care Center () (5.8 miles)
• Park Medical Group PA (5.9 miles)
• Tenafly Pediatrics (6 miles)
• Women's Total Health of Woodcliff Lake (6.8 miles)
• Dr Mondana S. Yazdi, MD (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Hawthorne Station (4.3 miles)
• NJT - Waldwick Station (5.2 miles)
• IHA Arbor Road Bus Stop (8.2 miles)