Harrison House in Christiana, PA

Pros

• The facility is clean and located in a lovely country setting, with staff working well together to provide quality care.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive to residents and their families.
• The therapy and rehab teams are highly skilled, patient, and dedicated to helping residents reach their goals.
• Families receive timely updates and clear communication from the staff.
• Residents appear safe, well cared for, and content in a calm, welcoming environment.
• Mary is noted for being especially helpful in coordinating with families.
• The dining service is adequate, with staff who accommodate requests and preferences.
• The campus offers engaging activities and a home-like, pleasant atmosphere.
• Newport Meadows is frequently described as going above and beyond to provide high-quality care.
• The staff are described as professional, compassionate, and responsive, even in stressful situations.
• The facility earns high recommendations from many families who have entrusted their loved ones there.

Cons

• This place is horrible!
• The floor my father is on smelled like urine.
• His room did have a urine smell.
• Rehab is a joke. You will not be properly rehabbed at this place and may leave worse off.
• This nursing home is not good please do not send your love ones here.
• This place is the worst rehab center I have ever seen.

Review

Harrison House in Christiana is best suited for families seeking a warm, country-setting skilled nursing environment where rehab can be a meaningful piece of the care plan and where staff genuinely strives to know residents as individuals. The campus presents a clean, homelike atmosphere with handsome grounds, visible attention to maintenance, and a calm, pastoral backdrop that many families value for long-term placement. It works well for residents who benefit from regular activity programming, in-room therapy, and frequent family communication, and for those who appreciate a front-door experience that feels intimate and neighborhood-like rather than institutional.

However, this community is less ideal for families that cannot tolerate chronic understaffing or inconsistent reliability. Several reviews flag persistent staffing challenges, including reports of floors staffed by only a CNA and an aide at times, delayed meals, and limited bedside attentiveness when the unit is busy. There are also pointed mentions of rude interactions, difficulty reaching staff, and gaps in communication about appointments and changes in care. For a senior with high medical or mobility needs, these gaps can magnify quickly, making it prudent to compare with facilities known for stronger, more predictable staffing and immediate responsiveness.

The strongest positives here - attentive, caring staff, a clean and welcoming setting, and robust rehab potential - offset many concerns when staffing levels cooperate. Families repeatedly highlight caregivers who treat residents with dignity, a care team that discusses progress openly, and therapists who deliver patient, skill-building therapy in or near the patient's room. The facility's rooms are described as comfortable and well-equipped, with private baths and in-room amenities, and residents frequently appear well-groomed and engaged. The landscape and d?cor contribute to a soothing, "home on the farm" feel that helps residents settle in and participate in activities designed to preserve independence.

Still, the documented cons cannot be dismissed. Urine odors on some floors, inconsistent sheet changes, and reports of missed or delayed appointments point to gaps in day-to-day operations when the facility is pressed for staff. Criticisms about front-desk accessibility, slow responses, and occasional miscommunications underscore a risk that needs active management. The more severe warnings - claims of neglect or medication issues - while not universal in the reviews, serve as a clear reminder that quality can hinge on staffing morale, supervisory oversight, and the ability to enforce strong protocols during busy shifts.

This is a place where the positive, personal touch of certain staff members can make a decisive difference. When administrators and unit leaders are visible and responsive, families report confidence that care plans are understood and executed, and that updates come via structured channels such as regular family conferences and direct, timely outreach. The facility has invested in renovations and outdoor spaces, including new terraces and gardens, which can enhance mood and engagement. In practice, the most reliable families appear to be those that maintain close, ongoing dialogue with the care team, advocate for clear expectations, and participate in care meetings to align on goals.

For decision-makers, the question is whether Harrison House aligns with the family's tolerance for potential staffing variability and their need for consistent, proactive communication. Prospective residents should be prepared to tour with a checklist: confirm daily staffing ratios on the target floor, request to meet the charge nurse or ADON, and observe meal service timing and kitchen responsiveness. Verify that the rehab program matches the resident's goals, and ask about how therapy is scheduled if mobility or cognition fluctuates. Also confirm Medicaid applicability and any private-pay options, along with the facility's approach to odor control and housekeeping accountability. Ultimately, this community rewards families who can partner closely with a responsive team and who value a serene, country setting as a foundation for care.

In the end, Harrison House is a solid option for families seeking a heartfelt, homey environment with strong rehab potential and a willingness to stay actively engaged in care planning. It is less ideal for those needing unwavering staffing reliability or who cannot tolerate episodic communication gaps. If high, consistent staffing, rapid problem resolution, and spotless day-to-day operations are nonnegotiable, exploring alternatives may be warranted. For others, this community can be a dependable home where compassionate caregivers, meaningful activities, and a tranquil setting support a resident's quality of life - provided the family remains closely involved and asks the right questions before committing.

Restaurants

• Aunt Jennie's 41 Diner (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Victory Brewing Company Parkesburg (3 miles)
• Arby's (3.4 miles)
• Hershey's Farm Market (3.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• The Bullfrog Inn (5 miles)

Physicians

• LG Health Physicians Behavioral Health County Line (2.5 miles)
• Brandywine Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (2.9 miles)
• County Line Medical Center (3 miles)
• Osteopathic Health & Wellness (3.1 miles)
• Chester County Pediatrics (3.1 miles)
• Brown William J (3.1 miles)
• Ingleside Medical Associates (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• T S Healthmart II (9.1 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (9.2 miles)
• Wiley's Pharmacy (10 miles)
• Brandywine Pharmacy (10.4 miles)
• Yoder's Pharmacy (11.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Keystone Church (6.7 miles)
• Grace Point Church of Paradise (8.3 miles)
• Doe Run Presbyterian Church (10.6 miles)

Cafes

• Latte Luv Espresso (6.7 miles)
• Twin Valley Coffee - Shady Maple Market (11.3 miles)
• Starbucks (13.1 miles)

Transportation

• Chester County G. O. Carlson Airport (CTH) (7 miles)
• Market East Train Station (7.3 miles)
• Strasburg Rail Road (9.1 miles)
• SEPTA Thorndale Station (12.3 miles)

Parks

• Paradise Community Park (7.4 miles)
• Goddard Park (13.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Va Medical Center, For Information & Assistance (10.7 miles)
• Brandywine Hospital Speech Therapy (11.2 miles)
• The Center For Wound Healing at Brandywine Hospital (11.2 miles)