Ingleside Nursing Home

Pros

• Anna handles the admissions process phenomenally.
• The Sunrise staff are consistently friendly and knowledgeable.
• The Memory Care team is amazing, with Iliana described as an angel.
• Donna, the recreation counselor, is a Godsend who treats every person with the respect they deserve.
• Donna Ahern tailored residents' daily activities to their interests, keeping them engaged.
• The care managers are caring and personable; the director answers questions promptly.
• The staff are top notch: care and communication are outstanding, with social activities that are second to none.
• Melissa and Donna coordinate and run the residents' activities; they are wonderful, warm, and caring.
• The facility has a nicely laid out design, with clean, upscale accommodations.
• The entire Sunrise Old Tappan staff is incredible: professional, efficient, yet kind and compassionate.
• Megan in admissions made the move-in process seamless and went above and beyond.
• Sunrise is simply wonderful in terms of staff, care, environment, activities, and food.

Cons

• The staff were described as understaffed and the facility as a rip-off, with the mother declining rapidly after admission and no one caring after she passed.
• The reviewers alleged Sunrise continued to notify Cheryl for months after her POA was revoked and interrupted visits with their mother.
• One reviewer stated it was an awful place and would not be recommended to anyone with an elderly parent who needs care.
• The administration was criticized for slow response times to assistance requests.
• The dining and service were criticized for slow bussing and cleanup, leaving a poor impression.
• The costs were described as very expensive.

Review

Sunrise of Old Tappan has clearly become a cornerstone for several families who entrusted their loved ones to its care. Across many notes, the admissions process stands out as smooth and thoughtful, thanks largely to Anna, who is repeatedly praised for handling the details with poise and clarity. Families describe the staff as consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and responsive, creating an impression of warmth and professionalism from day one. The sense you get from these experiences is that Sunrise strives to be a place where transitions are handled with care, and where new residents feel welcomed rather than overwhelmed.

A standout feature across the reviews is the Memory Care team. Memory Care staff are described as amazing, with Iliana leading the unit as a kind and capable manager who exudes the kind of calm, supportive presence families appreciate. Donna, formerly the recreation counselor in Memory Care, receives especially heartfelt commendations for creating meaningful activities and treating every resident with respect. Even after Donna moved to another Sunrise location, reviewers recall the positive ripple effect she had - she worked to tailor activities to individual interests and ensured that the residents remained engaged and joyful. The consensus is that the Memory Care team elevates daily life for residents, helping them feel seen and valued.

Several families share deeply personal reflections about their loved ones, underscoring Sunrise's role in maintaining dignity and activity during aging. One parent's experience highlighted the importance of a familiar, local setting - Sunrise OT sits in the same town where a loved one had lived for fifty years - allowing for smoother adjustments and more meaningful connections with staff. It's common to see appreciation for staff who greet residents warmly, including longtime team members such as Kathy (now retired), Carolyn, and Chris, whose presence at the front lines helped set a positive tone for visits. The stories emphasize that, even when the environment evolves and staff change, the core commitment to engagement and careful attention to each resident's needs remains evident.

Of course, no service encounter is without its challenges, and one review offers a stark counterpoint. It describes Sunrise as understaffed and expensive, with a sense that the loved one declined after moving in and that there wasn't adequate care or concern after the parent's passing. This one-star perspective serves as a cautionary note that experiences can vary, and that what resonates beautifully for some may not meet the expectations of others. It's a reminder that, in elder care, perceptions of staffing levels, cost, and continuity of care can color overall impressions, even within the same community.

Beyond the broader impressions, several reviews celebrate the hands-on care managers who seemed to embody the facility's mission: personable, caring, and capable. The director is described as responsive, addressing questions and requests in a timely manner, which reinforces trust during what can be a stressful period for families. The staff's dedication to creating a lively, engaging environment comes through repeatedly, with multisensory activities, social events, and regular communications that help families feel connected to their loved ones' day-to-day lives. In particular, Melissa and Donna are singled out for coordinating and running activities that bring joy to residents and give families reassurance that their loved ones are not only cared for, but also genuinely entertained and inspired.

Another layer of praise comes from professional perspectives. One reviewer who is a licensed nursing home administrator and social worker notes Sunrise OT's ability to partner with families and care managers to support a resident's transition to a reduction in care needs. This observer highlights the collaboration with the admissions team - especially Megan in admissions - for a move that can be complex, yet carried out smoothly. The same reviewer recounts how Anita's journey - from Sunrise to an independent facility - was facilitated by the Sunrise team's communication and coordinated care, underscoring the facility's commitment to maximizing residents' independence wherever possible. The sense across these accounts is that Sunrise can be a thoughtful, integrative partner in care, not just a place to reside.

There are also stories about personal transitions and ongoing experiences that illustrate both the strengths and the complexities of life at Sunrise. Several families describe how move-ins and changes in staffing are managed with care, often highlighting the positive impact on their loved ones' happiness and engagement. Compliments about the facility's layout - clean, nicely laid out, and upscale - match the sentiment that Sunrise provides a dignified, welcoming environment. The overall picture painted by these reviewers is one of a community that deeply values meaningful activity, proactive communication, and a sense of belonging for residents and their families alike, even as it acknowledges that challenges will arise and must be navigated with patience and collaboration.

In sum, the majority of voices converge on Sunrise of Old Tappan as a home that many families would recommend without hesitation. The admissions process, the commitment of the Memory Care team, the proactive and compassionate care managers, and the ability to blend structured programming with personal attention all stand out as hallmarks of the community. Residents' families speak of gratitude and relief at finding a place they feel confident about, where staff members like Anna, Iliana, Donna, Megan, Melissa, and others create an environment that feels both professional and deeply human. While not every experience is identical, and some concerns reflect real lessons about staffing and resources, the prevailing narrative is one of care that consistently aims to honor the dignity, happiness, and evolving needs of older adults.

Located in Old Tappan, New Jersey, this area offers a range of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several reputable physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies nearby, residents have easy access to medical care and prescription medications. The abundance of parks provides opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation, while various places of worship offer spiritual support and community engagement. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options including fast food chains like McDonald's and upscale establishments like Harvest on Hudson. Transportation is readily available with train stations and bus stops within a few miles, making it easy to get around without a car. For entertainment, there are several theaters nearby such as AMC Palisades 21 and Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers. Overall, this area in Old Tappan provides a well-rounded and convenient lifestyle for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful community.

Physicians

• Orangetown Pediatric Associates (1.9 miles)
• Kayal Orthopedic - Westwood (2.1 miles)
• Northeast Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Orangeburg (3.1 miles)
• Tenafly Pediatrics (3.5 miles)
• Park Medical Group PA (5.2 miles)
• Women's Total Health of Woodcliff Lake (5.3 miles)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bergen (5.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• The Valley Hospital (6.2 miles)
• Holy Name Medical Center (8.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (3.2 miles)
• The 9W Market (3.9 miles)
• The Filling Station (3.9 miles)
• Harvest on Hudson (5.3 miles)
• McDonald's (5.4 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (5.4 miles)
• Hudson Social (5.6 miles)

Parks

• Tallman Mountain State Park (3.8 miles)
• Piermont Pier (4.6 miles)
• Uniontown Playground (6.1 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (6.2 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (7.1 miles)
• Saddle River County Park (7.1 miles)
• Riverdale Park (8.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (4.3 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (7.7 miles)
• Community Church Of Glen Rock (7.8 miles)
• The Riverdale Minyan (8.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Art Cafe Of Nyack (6.7 miles)
• Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)
• Coffee Labs Roasters (8.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.4 miles)

Transportation

• Metro North - Dobbs Ferry Train Station (5.6 miles)
• Bus Stop (7.1 miles)
• NJT - Waldwick Station (7.1 miles)
• Metro North - Riverdale Station (8 miles)
• Metro North - Tarrytown Train Station (8 miles)

Theaters

• Nanuet STM 12 & RPX (6.3 miles)
• AMC Palisades 21 (6.5 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (7.3 miles)
• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (7.8 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Yonkers (8.6 miles)