Shannon Rest Home in Waldwick, NJ

Pros

• The Bristal has been a great experience for residents and their families.
• The staff are kind and caring, with Lisa at the front desk and Evelyn consistently going above and beyond.
• Residents regain independence, are happier, and more social at the Bristal.
• The Memory Care team are amazing, empathetic caregivers who preserve residents' humanity.
• The Bristal feels like home, with residents safe and well cared for.
• The atmosphere is friendly, bright, and welcoming, and the staff personalize their interactions with residents.
• The community is beautiful, clean, and offers engaging programs for residents.
• Trish is outstanding and makes the admission and transition process smooth for families.
• The wellness staff, led by Wilhemena, are attentive to residents' needs every day.
• The Bristal Waldwick is like a 5-star hotel with superb service, excellent meals, and thoughtful staff.

Cons

• The facility has a rat infestation that is starting to affect surrounding homes, and they refuse to address it.
• The admissions process is confusing and debilitating, with policies like requiring a negative PCR test for admission, then isolating for 10–14 days anyway.
• They leave out pertinent information about isolation upon entry, and their policies make no sense, making the experience more difficult for new residents.

Review

This Waldwick community is best suited for seniors who want a premium assisted-living experience coupled with a vibrant social life and strong memory-care capabilities. It works well for families seeking reassurance that care is compassionate, proactive, and finely coordinated from first contact through daily routines. The surroundings feel like a high-end residence, bright, clean, and meticulously maintained, with a staffing culture that consistently earns praise for kindness, responsiveness, and going above and beyond. For families prioritizing a warm, well-staffed environment where residents can regain or maintain independence while staying socially engaged, this setting is a strong match.

Alternatives to consider exist for those with tighter budgets or different preferences for ambience and policies. A few red flags surface in the reviews: a reported rat infestation that owners are not addressing, and admissions policies that can feel burdensome, including isolation requirements after a negative PCR test. Those factors can make the experience less predictable or comfortable for some families, particularly when balancing the desire for a stress-free transition with the realities of facility management. In short, this may not be the right fit for families who cannot tolerate pests or who prize a straightforward, low-friction admissions process.

The core strengths of the community tend to offset these concerns for many families. The care teams are described as empathetic and consistently available, with staff members who “go above and beyond” to preserve residents’ humanity and dignity. The Memory Care Program receives particular accolades for attentive, compassionate care that maintains individuality even as needs evolve. Residents report improved mood, greater social connection, and a sense of safety that comes from reliable staffing and proactive supervision. When a high-quality staff, engaging activities, and a clean, welcoming environment are in play, the premium feel of the setting often translates into meaningful daily well-being for residents.

Leadership and day-to-day operations emerge as trust-building elements in these reviews. The front desk and wellness staff are frequently highlighted for reliability and warmth, while a skilled memory-care team keeps families informed and engaged. Names repeatedly associated with consistent excellence include Trish, who helps families navigate admissions and ongoing needs; Adele, the Director of Administrative Services, who is described as responsive and helpful; Janeris, the memory-care leader who routinely coordinates care and keeps families in the loop; Lisa at the front desk who offers a welcoming, reassuring presence; and Wilhemena, who leads the wellness team. The overall tone is that leadership and frontline staff collaborate effectively to deliver planned care with a personal touch, a combination that matters enormously to families evaluating long-term living arrangements.

For families weighing the decision, the setting offers clear benefits for residents who require memory support, structured programming, and dependable accompaniment to medical appointments and daily activities. The environment supports a busy calendar of activities seven days a week, high-end dining experiences, and a sense of community where staff know residents by name and respond promptly to changing needs. However, the pest issue and admission-process concerns warrant serious probing during tours. Prospective residents should request current pest-control plans, verify the status of any infestations, and obtain detailed explanations of admission timelines, isolation requirements, and how transitions are managed for someone with fluctuating needs.

Bottom line: for families prioritizing compassionate, high-caliber care in a polished, activity-rich setting, this Waldwick community stands out as a compelling option. It is less suitable for those who cannot tolerate environmental concerns or complex admissions policies, or who prefer a more budget-conscious or minimalist environment. The next steps are straightforward, schedule a tour, push for specific information about memory-care capabilities, and require concrete details on pest-control practices, admission timelines, and daily life beyond the glossy descriptions. With disciplined due diligence, families can determine whether the balance of dignity, engagement, and dependable oversight aligns with their loved one’s needs and the family’s peace of mind.

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)