Stern Family Center For Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Manhasset, NY

Pros

• The Social Work Department demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication.
• Robert and Alex went above and beyond in coordinating care for mutual patients, ensuring a seamless process and positive outcomes.
• The staff were professional, attentive, and compassionate, reflecting the highest standards of patient-centered care.
• The nurses and CNAs were consistently described as wonderful, helpful, and caring.
• The physical therapy and occupational therapy teams were highly skilled and patient-centered.
• Delores Walton was singled out as exceptionally caring and a blessing to those she cared for.
• The facility was described as clean, well-kept, with pleasant courtyards and a supportive atmosphere.
• The dining service was appreciated when dietary needs were met and meals were enjoyable.
• Many reviewers reported that Stern Rehab helped loved ones regain independence and return home with improved function.
• Overall, Stern Rehab was described by multiple families as professional, dedicated, and capable of delivering quality care.

Cons

• The facility's handling of patient care and family communication is absolutely unacceptable.
• Front desk and phone staff will not provide room numbers or updates to family members with legal authority.
• When calls are answered, the staff are dismissive, unhelpful, and provide no real information.
• Families must beg or chase down staff to check on a vulnerable relative, especially someone with dementia.
• Nurses are slow to come to the room when called, sometimes taking nearly an hour.
• A patient endured excruciating pain for hours because orders were not followed and no one could be reached.
• Bedside manner is largely absent, with staff showing little care for patient comfort or dignity.
• The food service is horrible, with spoiled meat and meals not delivered as ordered.
• The facility is understaffed, leaving patients unattended and care delayed.
• Some staff are rude and unprofessional, speaking to patients and families in a disrespectful manner.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a hospital-linked rehabilitation focus, where the primary aim is getting patients back on their feet through intensive physical and occupational therapy. Northwell ownership and the on-site hospital affiliation create a pathway for integrated medical oversight, and several reviewers highlight a strong therapy culture - PT and OT teams that push recovery, with individual therapists who make a real difference in mobility and confidence. For seniors needing surgery recovery, limb rehabilitation, or post-acute care with a clear discharge path home, Stern Rehab can be a solid fit when there is a capable advocate available to coordinate care, monitor progress, and keep the plan aligned with medical goals.

Those who should consider alternatives are families dealing with chronic care needs, dementia where consistent daily communication and vigilant supervision are non-negotiable, or situations demanding consistently prompt assistance and flawless bedside manners. A recurring thread in the feedback points to variable staffing levels and uneven responsiveness, which can leave caregivers waiting for call-bell responses and medication administration. If a smooth, transparent, and consistently compassionate experience is essential - particularly for patients with complex behavioral or cognitive needs - other facilities with steadier staffing and stronger family communication may be a better match.

The strongest positives hinge on therapy quality and clinical oversight. Numerous accounts praise the rehabilitation team for skill, patience, and tangible gains - PTs and OTs who help patients regain walking ability, strength, and independence. Several nurses and CNAs are described as professional, caring, and dedicated, with one reviewer calling out a number of standout caregivers who became unforgettably helpful in recovery. Cleanliness and a hospital-style environment also surface repeatedly as comfortable for short stays, and the network's access to Northwell physicians on site can be advantageous when medical questions arise during rehab. In short, for the right patient and the right family dynamic, the rehabilitative experience can be exemplary.

Yet the flip side is substantial and cannot be ignored when weighing options. Understaffing is a persistent theme, with frequent references to long wait times for assistance, delayed responses to call lights, and inconsistent bedside care. Several reviews describe discourteous or overwhelmed staff, occasional medication or procedure misalignments, and gaps in communication that leave families frustrated and uncertain. Food quality is another frequently cited concern, with meals sometimes misordered or deemed unpalatable, even as some dining experiences score highly when kitchen and dietary teams hit the mark. These gaps can erode trust and seriously detract from a patient's sense of safety and dignity, especially during a vulnerable recovery period.

Given these realities, families should come prepared with a concrete plan to manage care. Before admission, request a clear care coordinators' assignment and insist on regular, proactive communication about progress, setbacks, and discharge planning. Identify a point person who will be responsible for liaising with therapists, nurses, physicians, and family members, and ensure that the care plan specifies therapy targets, daily scheduling, and retrieval of medications. On-site oversight matters: visit early in the day to see when call lights are answered, verify room cleanliness, and confirm dietary preferences are documented and followed. If additional supports are needed, arranging private sitters or daytime supervision can mitigate risks when staff are stretched thin.

The bottom line is practical: Stern Rehab delivers high-caliber rehab when the system in place aligns with a proactive family. For short-term, goal-driven recovery where close medical integration matters, it can be a strong choice - provided a vigilant advocate is ready to oversee care, push for timely responses, and ensure that daily routines, nutrition, and hygiene meet expectations. Families with chronic or complex needs, or those prioritizing consistently warm, responsive bedside care and transparent communication, should seriously evaluate other options as part of a broader search. Stern Rehab sits at a crossroads: a robust rehabilitation engine on a trusted hospital campus, tempered by real-world staffing variability that profoundly shapes daily experience.

Physicians

• 2 Pro Health Plaza (1 miles)
• North Shore Gastroenterology Associates PC (1.7 miles)
• Winthrop Professional Building (3.8 miles)
• Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group (8 miles)

Hospitals

• Division of Vascular/Interventional Radiology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• St Francis Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital New Life Center (3.7 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Nassau University Medical Center (8.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)
• Starbucks (8.8 miles)

Transportation

• LIRR - Manhasset Station (1.6 miles)
• LIRR - Little Neck Station (2.1 miles)
• LIRR New Hyde Park Station (3 miles)
• LIRR - Floral Park Station (3.3 miles)
• LIRR - Westbury Station (6.1 miles)
• MTA - Sutphin Boulevard Subway Station (7.5 miles)
• LIRR - Jay / Hall Tower (7.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Parks

• Allenwood Park (2 miles)
• Alley Pond Park (3.4 miles)
• Cunningham Park (4.6 miles)
• Hempstead Lake State Park (7 miles)
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park (7.8 miles)
• Eisenhower Park (7.8 miles)
• Coes Neck Park (8 miles)

Restaurants

• Toku Modern Asian (2.2 miles)
• Burger King (3.2 miles)
• Hendrick's Tavern (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (4.3 miles)
• Bar Frites (4.7 miles)
• Vincent's Clam Bar (4.9 miles)
• Grand Lux Cafe (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Church of East Williston (3.5 miles)
• St Luke's Episcopal Church (8.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Fresh Meadows 7 (4.9 miles)
• AMC Roosevelt Field 8 (4.9 miles)
• Regal Westbury Imax & RPX (7.6 miles)