Meridian Nursing & Rehab

Pros

• The staff have been very helpful and caring.
• The team at Hackensack Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation is fabulous, and the doctor in charge has been outstanding.
• The front desk staff are warm and friendly.
• Kate in physical therapy is very helpful.
• The OT and PT are great.
• Nurse Mark is amazing.
• The aides working there are good.
• Everyone was very friendly.

Cons

• The facility is awful and will let you die there; staff were rough with a dementia patient and did not help when she was found on the floor naked.
• The nurses were not friendly; the front desk staff were the only pleasant part.
• Management from Lakewood treats patients and families horribly, and the state should investigate.
• The facility isolates residents for a common cold, rooms are not cleaned properly, and the new ownership is seen as profit-driven.
• The staff do not respond to call buttons for up to an hour.
• The facility is severely understaffed and care is unacceptable, leaving patients with bedsores.
• Patients are yelled at and treated poorly; some nurses are among the worst.
• A patient had a stroke there after staff said he was fine, delaying ambulance.

Review

The collection of experiences about this rehabilitation facility reads like a wide spectrum of care, with some families feeling ignored and others praising specific staff members. On one end of the scale, multiple reviewers describe horrific lapses in basic care: patients left alone for long periods, calls for help ignored, and even times when a resident with dementia and a fall risk was not properly assisted. One account recounts a family member being found on the floor and naked, with relatives rushing in to intervene because no one appeared to be helping. Another describes a patient who had a bed sore after days in bed with no adequate assistance, and another notes a terrifying delay in calls for bathroom help that could be measured in 20 minutes, then an hour, then longer. Across several reviews, there are mentions of patients not being checked on after alarms sounded, of caregivers seeming annoyed by patients' needs, and of a general sense that bedside care was often secondary to other concerns.

A recurring thread among the negative reviews is under-staffing and overstretched aides. Families describe a facility that is patently understaffed, where aides and nurses are overloaded, and where even routine tasks - like helping a patient to the bathroom or responding to a call button - are delayed for extended periods. In some cases, this led to avoidable complications such as bed sores and avoidable distress for both patients and their families. One reviewer, speaking from the perspective of a practicing occupational therapist, portrays a pattern of neglect in which therapy services are insufficient, and basic needs are unmet despite repeated complaints. There is also a strong sentiment that the institution uses policy or public health considerations - such as COVID-era restrictions or "isolation" for a common cold - as excuses to limit visitation, which some families felt only amplified neglect and disengagement from staff.

The emotional weight of these accounts is intensified by descriptions of unprofessional or intimidating behavior. Several reviewers report nurses and staff who yell at patients, who sanitize interactions as if to discipline rather than assist, or who treat families with hostility rather than partnership. One account notes that a staff member was "the boss," and that others felt powerless to intervene. Another review specifically calls out a nurse in a supervisory role and contrasts the negative behavior of some staff with occasional praise for a few individuals who stood out for their care. The pattern for some families is a mix of kindness from a handful of staffers and frustration or fear regarding the average day-to-day experience, particularly for residents who rely on ongoing assistance.

In contrast, there are reviews that highlight positive experiences and commendations. Several accounts praise the front desk staff for their warmth and kindness, with compliments extended to the nursing team, the Nurse Case Manager, and the on-site doctor who was described as outstanding. A number of observers point to specific names - such as Kate in physical therapy, and a few conscientious nurses - who demonstrated genuine care and professionalism. These voices describe a different atmosphere: a facility where, when the staff is available and the individuals involved are committed, patients receive timely therapy, attentive nursing care, and a more compassionate bedside experience. Some reviewers emphasize the importance of the relationship between families and care teams and suggest that a change in management or ownership could influence overall care quality for the better.

The ownership and policy environment appears to be a point of contention and hope. One reviewer mentions a takeover by a new company, with some expectations that this transition might improve care, while others voice concern that the changes could be ongoing and unpredictable. The negative voices explicitly call for inspection and intervention, urging the state to examine the facility's practices and routines. The positive voices, meanwhile, hope that the new ownership will maintain or even expand the high-quality care they've observed, especially the parts of the team that have demonstrated consistent compassion and competence. The tension between these perspectives underscores how much the experience hinges on staffing levels, leadership, and the daily consistency of care.

Overall, the sentiment toward the facility is deeply divided, reflecting a broader truth about long-term care environments: outcomes and experiences hinge on the specifics of who is on duty, how well the team communicates, and how responsive the organization is to concerns raised by families. Some reviewers describe a facility that can be dangerous or neglectful when understaffed or poorly managed, with alarming stories of delayed assistance, poor hygiene, and insufficient therapy. Others recount a warm, capable team delivering genuine care, with praise for particular staff members and for the patient-centered attention that makes a meaningful difference in a resident's life. The recurring recommendation in the more strongly negative reviews is a clear warning to potential families to research carefully, visit often, and advocate loudly, while the positive testimonies invite hope that with the right leadership and staffing, the facility can provide the supportive, respectful care that residents deserve.

This part of Red Bank, New Jersey offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable living environment. There are several pharmacies nearby, making it easy to access medication and healthcare services. In addition, there are numerous restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee with friends. The presence of physicians' offices ensures access to medical care, while the theaters provide entertainment options for leisure time. Parks and beaches in close proximity offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Public transportation options are available for easy travel within the area, and hospitals are within a reasonable distance in case of medical emergencies. Overall, this part of Red Bank provides a well-rounded community with essential services and recreational activities for seniors to enjoy.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Little Silver Family Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Bayshore Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Nicholas Barrel & Roost (1 miles)
• Salt Creek Grille (3.5 miles)
• Zachary's (4.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (4.4 miles)
• Beach Tavern (4.7 miles)
• EvenTide Grille (4.9 miles)
• Tommys Tavern + Tap (5 miles)

Physicians

• Medimorphosis Physician Assisted Weight Loss (1.2 miles)
• Advanced Foot Center (1.2 miles)
• Fair Haven Internal Medicine (1.5 miles)
• Urology Associates Associates (1.5 miles)
• De Gennarro Pediatrics & Asc (1.7 miles)
• ENT and Allergy Associates -Shrewsbury (2.6 miles)
• Specialty Anesthesia Associates (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Monmouth Mall 15 (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Precious Blood (4.7 miles)
• Jersey Shore Rescue Mission (9.5 miles)

Cafes

• Booskerdoo Fresh Roasted Coffee Co. (4.8 miles)
• The Baked Bear (5.9 miles)
• Rook Coffee (6.2 miles)
• Rook Coffee (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.9 miles)
• Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co. (9.1 miles)

Parks

• Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park (5.4 miles)
• Joe Palaia Park (6.9 miles)
• Sandy Hook (8.5 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Long Branch Station (5.6 miles)
• NJT - Aberdeen-Matawan Station (9.4 miles)
• Asbury Park Station (9.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Monmouth Medical Center (5.8 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center (10 miles)
• K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital (10 miles)