Shannon Rest Home

Pros

• The Bristal staff are kind, caring, and consistently go above and beyond in daily care.
• The memory care team is amazing, empathetic, and preserves residents' humanity.
• The community is friendly, bright, welcoming, and always clean.
• Lisa at the front desk and Evelyn the aide exemplify exceptional care and dedication.
• Debora Fishman is instrumental in smooth transitions and ensuring continued quality care.
• Families feel safe and grateful, with residents supported, happy, and well cared for.
• The wellness team, led by Wilhemena, is attentive to residents' needs.
• The facility feels like a high-end, modern residence with engaging activities and excellent meals.
• The Bristal is highly recommended by professionals and families for trusted care.

Cons

• The review notes a rat infestation that is starting to affect the surrounding homes and alleges it is ongoing with no action taken to address it.

Review

Families describe the Bristal communities, especially the Waldwick location, as warm, welcoming places that feel less like a care facility and more like a well-kept, caring home. Across several anecdotes, the consistent thread is kindness and attentiveness from first contact to daily routines. In particular, many recall a smooth arrival process sparked by a thoughtful initial meeting with Maryelen, followed by a seamless move-in. The front desk team, especially Lisa, is repeatedly highlighted for a bright, helpful welcome, while Evelyn and the aides are commended for consistently going above and beyond. The tone throughout is one of gratitude: a sense that the staff genuinely cares about residents and their families, turning what can be a stressful transition into a comforting experience.

Parents and spouses alike have noticed tangible improvements after moving in. One family describes how their mother regained independence and how her day-to-day demeanor shifted for the better. She has become happier and more social, a marked change from prior months, and her safety and well?being are consistently described as the top priorities. Those who visit speak of a safe, engaging environment where residents are encouraged to participate in activities and socialize with one another. The overall sentiment is that choosing the Bristal was one of the best decisions for their loved ones, delivering both peace of mind and a higher quality of life.

The Memory Care program draws particular praise for its compassionate, human-centered approach. Caregivers are described as incredibly empathetic, dedicated to preserving the humanity and dignity of residents facing challenging conditions. Staff members are noted for taking extra steps to make difficult days more bearable for both residents and families. The praise extends to leaders and coordinators who keep families informed and involved. In Waldwick, names like Janeris, Trish, and Adele surface repeatedly as examples of leadership and responsiveness that help families feel supported at every turn. The tone is consistently one of trust in a team that treats memory care with seriousness, warmth, and ongoing commitment.

Another strong theme is practical help and relief during transitions, highlighted by Debora Fishman's recognition for guiding a family through the transition from private pay to Medicaid within the Bristal system. The family expresses immense relief knowing that their loved one could continue to be well cared for in a community that feels like home. This kind of administrative and care coordination support - including the involvement of Adele, the Director of Administrative Services - is repeatedly cited as a crucial factor in making long-term care feel manageable and reassuring for families navigating complex insurance and care needs.

Across the board, reviewers emphasize a friendly, hopeful atmosphere that extends from reception to maintenance, with every staff member committed to making residents feel known. The Bristal is described as a place that genuinely tries to involve everyone and get to know residents personally. From the front desk to the aides to maintenance staff, the sense is that the staff are not just performing routines but cultivating a vibrant, inclusive community where residents feel seen and celebrated. The overall impression is that the environment is bright, welcoming, and conducive to a positive mood and meaningful social interaction.

Alongside the overall warmth, many reviews note the physical environment as a strength: the Waldwick facility comes across as beautiful, clean, and well-kept. The building is likened to a high-end living environment, with clean, immaculate spaces and bright, cheerful rooms. Activities and programming are described as varied and robust, with daily offerings that range from live entertainment to exercise classes, games, and intergenerational activities. Comments emphasize that meals rival the quality of a Manhattan restaurant, underscoring a holistic sense of comfort and elevation in daily life at the Bristal.

There is also a candid note about a challenge some communities face: a report of a RAT infestation. One reviewer mentions that this issue has affected surrounding properties and expresses frustration that it has not been addressed. This point serves as a counterbalance to the otherwise overwhelmingly positive feedback and highlights the importance of ongoing, transparent maintenance and environmental health in senior living communities. While a minority voice raises this concern, it sits within a larger chorus of satisfaction with care, comfort, and community life at the Bristal.

Specific to Waldwick, several staff members and features are repeatedly highlighted as pillars of the resident and family experience. Lisa at the front desk is described as a GEM, with a consistently friendly and helpful presence. Janeris, the head of Memory Care, is praised for keeping families up to date and for always looking out for residents. Adele, the Director of Administrative Services, is cited as responsive, kind, and incredibly capable. Trish appears in multiple stories as a dependable, upbeat, and essential point of contact - someone who helps families feel at ease during transitions and who remains a steady, optimistic presence. The transportation support from Frank, along with the dedication of Evelyn and the rest of the aides, are frequently acknowledged as making daily life easier and more joyful for residents and families alike.

From the perspective of a seasoned geriatric care manager, The Bristal at Waldwick is described as a community that families can confidently refer others to. The staff are praised for kindness and for consistently going beyond basic duties to provide special care. Adele receives particular praise for responsiveness and care coordination, while Trish is celebrated as outstanding for both her direct support to families and her ongoing engagement with client needs and feedback. The manager notes that, based on feedback from clients and families, the Bristal meeting expectations is not just an exception but a standard; families feel confident their loved ones will be well cared for and treated with respect.

Personal stories among residents' families reinforce the Bristal as a place where life continues to feel meaningful. One moving testament recounts moving in during December 2022 and the depth of care through to the final months of a loved one in April 2024. The wellness staff, led by Wilhemena, are described as patient, attentive, and endlessly responsive, ensuring that each day was comfortable and safe. Families emphasize that their loved ones were treated with respect, kindness, and love at every touchpoint, a sentiment that brings lasting peace of mind during a profoundly challenging time. The overall message is that quality care and genuine human connection can coexist with a welcoming, homelike environment.

In summation, The Bristal at Waldwick emerges from these testimonials as a community where care, compassion, and connection form the daily fabric of life. Residents benefit from attentive, experienced staff across Memory Care and general living, a suite of engaging programs, and bright, clean surroundings. Families repeatedly acknowledge the staff by name and celebrate leaders who communicate clearly, care deeply, and treat every resident as a person first. For those considering an assisted living or memory care option, these stories convey a strong invitation to tour, ask questions, and see firsthand whether this could be the right home for a loved one. If you're seeking a place with a dedicated team, welcoming atmosphere, and a vibrant calendar of activities, The Bristal at Waldwick presents itself as a compelling choice.

This area of Waldwick, New Jersey offers a convenient location with easy access to transportation options such as the NJT Waldwick Station and several bus stops within a few miles. There are also several pharmacies in close proximity for any medical needs. Residents can enjoy a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries like Park Wood Deli to upscale restaurants like Varka Estiatorio. Additionally, there are cafes like Willow & Whisk and multiple Starbucks locations for coffee lovers. For healthcare needs, there are several physicians' offices nearby including Dr Mondana S. Yazdi, MD and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bergen. The Valley Hospital is also just a short distance away for more extensive medical care. Places of worship, parks, and theaters provide additional amenities and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to live in this vibrant community.

Transportation

• NJT - Waldwick Station (0.3 miles)
• IHA Arbor Road Bus Stop (3.4 miles)
• NJT - Hawthorne Station (5.2 miles)
• Metro North / NJT - Suffern Station (7 miles)
• Bus Stop (7.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Franklyn's Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Allendale Bar & Grill (1 miles)
• Park Wood Deli (1.5 miles)
• Savini Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• Blue Moon Mexican Cafe (2.1 miles)
• Van Dyke Ice Cream (2.6 miles)
• Varka Estiatorio (3.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Willow & Whisk (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Dr Mondana S. Yazdi, MD (2.3 miles)
• Christian Health Care Center () (3.3 miles)
• Women's Total Health of Woodcliff Lake (3.6 miles)
• New Jersey Regional Eye Care (3.6 miles)
• Costello Oral Surgery Associates (4.1 miles)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bergen (4.1 miles)
• Md Partners (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• The Valley Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (6.2 miles)
• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (8.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Pauls Parish (2.8 miles)
• Hawthorne Gospel Church (3.1 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (3.6 miles)
• Community Church Of Glen Rock (3.7 miles)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (6.4 miles)
• Immaculate Heart Of Mary School (8 miles)
• Congregation Tzemach Tzedek Lubavitch of Monsey (8.7 miles)

Parks

• Saddle River County Park (3.9 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (4.8 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (7.1 miles)
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (7.5 miles)
• Hershfield Park (8.6 miles)

Theaters

• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (7.4 miles)
• Nanuet STM 12 & RPX (8 miles)