Briarfield of Sandusky

Pros

• The staff are very friendly and always ready to help.
• Concord Care Center has a wonderful, caring staff who treats residents like family.
• The nurses, aides, and therapy staff are dedicated and genuinely caring.
• The therapy gym is beautiful and spacious, and the therapists are fun and dedicated in helping residents succeed.
• The activities team keeps residents engaged with gardening, outings, games, and events.
• The dietary department is top notch.
• The rehabilitation program helps residents regain walking and return home.
• The facility is warm and welcoming, making residents feel cared for.

Cons

• The reviewer described the facility as one of the worst places they had ever seen, noting neglect.
• Staff did not pay attention to residents and would ignore bells when help was requested.
• Some agency aides were lazy and the staff dynamics were a bit clicky.
• Items went missing and the staff tended to miss the mark.

Review

Briarfield of Sandusky is best suited for families prioritizing a warm, small-community atmosphere with hands-on rehabilitation and a calendar of engaging activities. The setting earns its strengths from a tight-knit staff that treats residents like family, paired with a robust therapy program and a focus on getting people back to independence. For families seeking a place where nurses, aides, and therapists are consistently present and where social and recreational opportunities abound, this community offers a compelling fit. The emphasis on personal connections, along with a dedicated therapy gym and accessible dining options, makes it an attractive choice for those who value relational care as much as clinical support.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are primarily individuals who require unwavering, highly consistent day-to-day attention from a larger staff or more intensive medical oversight. A few reviews flag inconsistencies in staffing, particularly around agency personnel, and raise concerns about inattentiveness in moments of need. For families who cannot tolerate any risk of delays in response to a call bell, or who have had negative experiences with staff turnover or perceived indifference, exploring other options with a larger, steadier core team may be prudent. In short, if constant surgical precision in daily care matters most, other facilities could be a better match.

The core strengths lie in the care culture and the rehab-focused offerings. Multiple reviewers highlight staff who treat residents like family, with nurses and aides described as cordial and responsive. Therapy is repeatedly praised as effective, and the therapy gym is noted as a bright, well-equipped space that supports progress. Activities are not an afterthought here; the team drives a lively schedule - gardening, outings, games, and community events - designed to keep residents engaged and emotionally connected. Dietary service is consistently described as solid or top-notch, contributing to a sense of everyday normalcy and satisfaction around meals. All of these elements work together to foster momentum in recovery and daily enjoyment.

On the downside, the experience is not perfectly uniform. A minority of reviews point to gaps - some agency staff perceived as less reliable, occasional lapses in attentiveness to residents' call bells, and at least one strongly negative account of neglect in a specific room. There are remarks about a "clicky" atmosphere and instances where tasks or needs were not attended to promptly. A few reviewers also mention items going missing, which can undermine trust in the day-to-day environment. Taken together, these concerns signal that while the team generally performs well, consistency from every staff member is not guaranteed, particularly when relying on agency personnel.

Despite these flaws, the positives tend to offset many drawbacks for families prioritizing rehab success and a supportive, homelike atmosphere. The small scale helps staff know residents well, enabling more personalized care and quicker adaptation of therapies to individual progress. The rehab outcomes described by families - improved walking, standing, and return to activities - underscore a practical win for those facing mobility challenges or post-hospital recovery. The sense of community - where activities are vibrant, staff are accessible, and even casual interactions feel meaningful - can be a decisive factor for long-term comfort and resilience.

In the end, Briarfield of Sandusky presents a clear, practical choice for those who want a rehabilitation-forward environment with a genuine, family-like culture. It is especially well-suited for residents who respond to attentive staff, benefit from structured therapy, and thrive in an active social setting. Prospects should come with a plan: confirm the reliability of the on-site team, ask about the cadence of therapy sessions, and gauge how well the daily routine aligns with the resident's goals. For families needing ironclad 24/7 oversight or those who require a larger, more clinical operation, it makes sense to compare alternatives. A thorough tour that includes time in the therapy gym, a meal with staff, and conversations with family members of current residents will illuminate whether this community's warmth translates into ongoing, dependable care.

This part of Sandusky, Ohio, offers a range of amenities and services that may cater to the needs of seniors. With several physicians' offices, pharmacies, and hospitals located within a short distance, access to healthcare is convenient. The variety of restaurants nearby provides options for dining out or ordering in. Additionally, cafes like Starbucks offer a cozy atmosphere for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. For outdoor enthusiasts, parks like Erie Metrobark Park and Shoreline Park offer opportunities for leisurely strolls or picnics. The proximity to public transportation options like the Amtrak Train Station may also make it easier to travel around the area without needing a car. Overall, this neighborhood seems to provide a mix of conveniences and recreational opportunities that could be appealing for seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment.

Physicians

• Bruce A Montgomery DO (0.6 miles)
• Sandusky Family Practice (1 miles)
• Retina Vitreous Associates (1 miles)
• Firelands Physician Group - Campbell Street (1 miles)
• SVS Vision Optical Centers (1.3 miles)
• Executive Urology (1.6 miles)
• Firelands Physician Group (1.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Jimmy John's (1.2 miles)
• Wendy's (1.3 miles)
• Arby's (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Mekong Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine (1.3 miles)
• Casa Real (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Discount Drug Mart (1.3 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• The Stadium Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Buderer Drug Co. (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Vita Urbana (3.3 miles)
• Dockside Cafe (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Noms Healthcare (1.7 miles)
• Firelands Regional Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Firelands S Campus (2.1 miles)
• American Homepatient (2.4 miles)
• Firelands Regional Medical Center (2.6 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak Train Station (2.4 miles)
• Frontier Town Station (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Chapel (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Erie Metrobark Park (3.2 miles)
• Shoreline Park (3.5 miles)
• Lions Park (3.7 miles)