Bala Nursing And Retirement Center in Philadelphia, PA

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Bala Nursing And Retirement Center in Philadelphia, PA

Bala Nursing And Retirement Center is a nursing home community in Philadelphia, PA.

Information last verified:

4001 Ford Road, Philadelphia, PA 19131

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

3 from 12 reviews
5 stars
6
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
6

Overall Review of Bala Nursing And Retirement Center

Pros

  • pro The facility is a great place for therapy services.
  • pro Healthcare is coordinated at its best.
  • pro The staff really care about each patient and resident.

Cons

  • pro The facility is dirty and infested with mice that run around during the day, leaving feces in residents’ rooms.
  • pro The housekeeping staff is horrible.
  • pro The place is the most ghetto and unprofessional in the medical field, with little care for patients and frequent finger-pointing among staff.
  • pro Nursing care is inadequate, with residents left unattended and ending up on the floor.
  • pro The social worker is condescending and rude, and the charge nurse is fake.
  • pro The doctor avoids speaking with patients, walking back and forth in the hallway instead of entering the room.
  • pro There is no concern shown for family members, and only a few staff (PT/OT and Speech) seem to care.

Review

Bala Nursing and Retirement Center in Philadelphia is best suited for seniors whose top priority is rehabilitation through therapy, especially physical, occupational, and speech services, rather than a pristine, upscale living environment. The emphasis here is on structured rehab programs, daily routines designed to support progress, and a therapy-heavy approach that can yield tangible mobility gains for post-acute residents. For families, Bala represents a niche choice: a facility where rehab access and coordinated therapy matter most, and where residents who can tolerate a work-in-progress setting may still make meaningful strides.

Those who should seriously consider alternatives are families for whom reliable nursing care, impeccable cleanliness, and consistently professional staff conduct are non-negotiables. Reviews portray persistent dirt, possible infestations, and housekeeping failures, which raise legitimate safety and comfort concerns. Add to that reports of staff discord, finger-pointing, and a doctor who avoids face-to-face conversations, and the overall trust in daily care erodes. For elders who rely on steady supervision, responsive bedside care, and a consistently respectful atmosphere, other communities with stronger care cultures are likely a safer long-term fit.

On the upside, therapy services stand out as Bala’s clearest strength. When rehab is the goal, residents can benefit from coordinated care among PTs, OTs, and speech-language pathologists, with some staff clearly demonstrated to care about each patient’s progress. This alignment can translate into practical gains in strength, balance, and functional independence, and it can help families feel that meaningful improvement is within reach despite the facility’s rough edges. For post-acute needs where successful rehab milestones influence discharge planning, Bala’s therapy-forward model remains a credible option.

Yet the drawbacks carry meaningful weight and cannot be overlooked. Nursing care gaps, residents left unattended at times, and a general sense of care fragmentation undermine safety and confidence, especially for those with complex medical needs. The reported interpersonal dynamics, defensiveness, condescension from some staff, and inconsistent communication with families, further undermine trust in the day-to-day experience. In this climate, even robust therapy sessions may fail to offset the risk that essential daily support and timely medical attention could be inconsistent or slow.

Ultimately, the positives do not fully offset the core concerns for most prospective residents. Infestations and cleanliness issues create ongoing hazards and stigma, while uncertain bedside care raises concerns about falls, timely medication administration, and prompt response to emergencies. Families must decide whether the potential rehab gains justify living with a broader care culture that feels unsettled. If safety, dignity, and dependable daily support are non-negotiable, Bala is unlikely to be the first choice; if rehab outcomes and a motivated therapy team are paramount, it remains a defensible option to evaluate with a thorough on-site tour.

Prudent next steps center on a rigorous, in-person assessment. Arrange conversations with the therapy director to understand exact rehab schedules, equipment availability, and discharge planning supports. Seek candid feedback from current residents about cleanliness, housekeeping reliability, and how often bedside assistance is delivered. Request clarity on staffing patterns, nurse-to-resident ratios, and documented incident and follow-up processes to gauge ongoing risk. If these checks confirm solid accountability and workable routines, Bala can serve as a targeted rehab-focused option. If not, steer toward communities with proven nursing excellence, consistently clean environments, and a more cohesive, resident-centered staff culture.

Features

Housing

  • 180 resident community capacity 180 resident community capacity

Types of Care

  • Skilled Nursing Facility Skilled Nursing Facility

Amenities

  • Air-conditioning Air-conditioning
  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Computer center Computer center
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fitness room Fitness room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Gaming room Gaming room
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Private bathrooms Private bathrooms
  • Restaurant-style dining Restaurant-style dining
  • Small library Small library
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wellness center Wellness center
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • Philadelphia International (9 miles away) Philadelphia International (9 miles away)
  • Community operated transportation Community operated transportation
  • Transportation arrangement Transportation arrangement
  • Transportation arrangement (non-medical) Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Care Services

  • 12-16 hour nursing 12-16 hour nursing
  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Activities

  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Concierge services Concierge services
  • Fitness programs Fitness programs
  • Planned day trips Planned day trips
  • Resident-run activities Resident-run activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities

Description

Bala Nursing And Retirement Center is an assisted living community located in Philadelphia, PA. Our center offers a wide range of amenities to enhance the comfort and convenience of our residents' daily lives. These amenities include a beauty salon, cable or satellite TV, community-operated transportation, a computer center, a dining room, a fitness room, fully furnished living spaces, a gaming room, a garden, housekeeping services, kitchenette areas, move-in coordination assistance, outdoor spaces for relaxation and recreation, private bathrooms for each resident's privacy and convenience, restaurant-style dining options for delicious meals, a small library for reading enthusiasts, telephone services for easy communication with loved ones and friends, transportation arrangement (non-medical) for various needs within the community and beyond, transportation to doctors' appointments to ensure timely medical care access,

Additionally, we offer a wellness center that focuses on promoting the overall well-being of our residents through various activities and programs. Residents can also enjoy access to Wi-Fi/high-speed internet to stay connected with their online interests.

In terms of care services provided at Bala Nursing And Retirement Center, our dedicated team offers 24-hour call system support as well as round-the-clock supervision for the safety and security of our residents. We provide assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing to ensure that every individual's needs are met. Our staff also provides assistance with transfers to facilitate mobility. Moreover, we offer specialized care such as diabetes diet management and medication management.

Mental wellness is also prioritized through our mental wellness program that aims to enhance emotional health. We cater to special dietary restrictions and provide meal preparation and service accordingly.

At Bala Nursing And Retirement Center we believe in fostering an active lifestyle among our residents by offering various engaging activities. This includes concierge services, fitness programs to promote physical health, planned day trips for exploration outside the community, resident-run activities that encourage socialization, and scheduled daily activities to keep residents engaged and entertained.

Moreover, our community is conveniently located near numerous amenities for easy access. There are 11 cafes, 9 parks, 39 pharmacies, 3 physicians, 19 restaurants, and various transportation options nearby. Additionally, we have 8 hospitals in close proximity to ensure prompt medical attention if needed.

Overall, Bala Nursing And Retirement Center provides a warm and welcoming environment where residents can enjoy comfortable living spaces, access to essential amenities, excellent care services, and a vibrant social life.

Nearby Places of Interest

Cafes

  • Starbucks (0.5 miles)
  • Panera Bread (0.6 miles)
  • Starbucks (0.7 miles)
  • The Landing Kitchen (1.2 miles)
  • Starbucks (1.3 miles)
  • Pilgrim Roasters (1.6 miles)
  • Starbucks (2.2 miles)

Parks

  • Fairmount Park (0.8 miles)
  • Schuylkill River Park (3.9 miles)
  • Rittenhouse Square (4 miles)
  • Palmer Doggie Depot (4.4 miles)
  • Franklin Square (4.4 miles)
  • Piazza Dog Park (4.5 miles)
  • Palmer Park Farmers Market (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

  • Pizza Hut (0.9 miles)
  • Larry's Steaks (1.3 miles)
  • Custard & Cakes Creamery (1.6 miles)
  • Dalessandro's Steaks (2 miles)
  • McDonald's (3.2 miles)
  • Rosy's Taco Bar (3.8 miles)
  • K'Far (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

  • CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
  • Rite Aid (1.3 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
  • Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
  • Rite Aid (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

  • Lankenau Medical Center (2.8 miles)
  • Temple University Hospital (3.2 miles)
  • Philadelphia VA Medical Center (3.6 miles)
  • The Pavilion (3.7 miles)
  • Veterans Administration Community Living Center (3.8 miles)
  • Episcopal Hospital (4.4 miles)
  • Albert Einstein Employee Health Center (4.4 miles)

Transportation

  • Septa Wayne Junction Station (3.1 miles)
  • 30th Street Station (3.4 miles)
  • SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (3.4 miles)
  • Jefferson Station (4.3 miles)
  • Stenton Station (4.5 miles)
  • SEPTA: 101/102 Lansdowne Avenue Station (5.1 miles)

Physicians

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (3.6 miles)
  • CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (3.8 miles)
  • Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (4.3 miles)

Theaters

  • Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (5 miles)

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