Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield

Pros

• The staff is friendly and willing to help, no matter what comes up.
• The nurses and CNAs are amazing.
• The care team keeps families informed and works to keep residents happy and comfortable.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and comfortable in both communal spaces and private rooms.
• The therapy, medical, and nursing staff are top professionals who are genuinely caring.
• The atmosphere feels like a family and provides a warm, supportive environment.
• They offer many engaging activities that residents enjoy.
• The food is great, with additional services like on-site hairdressing available.
• The admissions and reception staff provide a welcoming, informative experience.
• The care and compassion shown by the staff are beyond expectations.
• Families report their loved ones are content and well taken care of.
• The staff communicate well with families and attentively address changing needs.

Cons

• The reviewer described horrible oversight of patient care by the DON and HR, with CNAs and RNs overworked and sometimes a single CNA for an entire unit on weekends, making it unsafe for families.
• They noted that no rehabilitation is ever provided on weekends.
• They described the facility as very understaffed, with skeleton crews on weekends.
• They criticized the food as atrocious and inedible, with portions too large and waste.
• They criticized the TVs as very small and hard to see for elderly residents.
• They reported a lack of privacy and that staff did not always knock before entering the toilet area.
• They described an instance where a resident was left without a blanket or water.

Review

Elderwood at Scallop Shell in Wakefield consistently stands out in the stories shared by families and friends who have connected with the facility through a loved one's stay. Across multiple accounts, the atmosphere is described as warm, welcoming, and homey, with a sense that the staff truly treats residents like family. The environment is frequently praised as clean and well-kept, both in common areas and in private rooms, contributing to an overall feeling of safety and comfort. Visitors repeatedly mention friendly faces at the front desk, a supportive reception, and a tranquil, inviting vibe that makes time spent there feel less like a visit to a medical setting and more like a stay in a caring community.

Care around the clock is highlighted as a major strength. Families repeatedly note the consistency of the care team - nurses, CNAs, therapists, and other staff who get to know residents and their changing needs. The teams are described as knowledgeable and genuinely committed to keeping residents happy and comfortable, with strong communication channels that keep families informed. Several reviewers emphasize the reliability of the staff, the sense of teamwork, and the way caregivers coordinate to support daily routines, medical needs, and recovery goals. The care teams are frequently praised for their attentiveness, empathy, and professional approach to even the smallest daily details.

Rehabilitation and therapy are central to many residents' experiences, particularly for those recovering from falls or preparing for discharge. Families report that therapy services are thorough and skilled, with physical therapy described as especially helpful. The therapists and rehab professionals are depicted as engaged, supportive, and focused on progress, which helps residents look forward to therapy sessions as part of their recovery journey. The overall rehab experience is framed as well-organized, with timely, goal-oriented care that aligns with each resident's plan and family expectations.

The medical, nursing, and therapy staff are consistently portrayed as top professionals who combine expertise with genuine compassion. There are powerful testimonials about staff identifying issues promptly, such as catching a misdiagnosis in a hospital and correcting course, which underscores a patient-centered, proactive approach to care. Families of residents across generations note positive experiences with the administrative and financial sides of the operation, finding administrative staff accessible and helpful when navigating insurance, billing, or care decisions.

Individual stories reflect a broad spectrum of daily life at Scallop Shell. Some residents share deeply personal gratitude, expressing how the staff's care and the intimate attention from nurses, CNAs, and even the doctors have left lasting, heartfelt impressions. Many residents and family members speak about the sense of community - how residents form friendships with each other and with staff, how activities are varied and engaging, and how the outdoor spaces, like the front patio, offer opportunities for fresh air and meaningful interaction. The facility's amenities - hairdressing services, a welcoming reception area, and a wide range of activities - are repeatedly cited as positive touches that contribute to dignity, comfort, and enjoyment during the stay.

However, not every review is without concern. A notable minority of voices describe challenges related to staffing levels and weekends. One reviewer specifically cites significant overwork, with too many residents per caregiver and a DON/HR oversight critique, labeling it unsafe at times and warning others to reconsider. This perspective highlights the reality that staffing pressures can affect perceived safety and the experience of having loved ones cared for, especially when the weekend team is described as lean. These criticisms stand in contrast to the many glowing testimonials and remind readers that staffing realities can vary and impact daily operations.

Taken together, the collection of narratives paints Elderwood at Scallop Shell as a facility with a strong foundation of compassionate, capable care, where many residents thrive thanks to attentive staff, robust rehabilitation programs, and a supportive, family-friendly atmosphere. The overwhelmingly positive experiences center on the consistency and kindness of caregivers, the quality of medical and therapy services, and the sense of belonging that residents and families feel within the community. At the same time, the critiques about staffing strain and weekend coverage offer a sober reminder that even well-regarded facilities must continuously address resource challenges to maintain the high standard that families have come to expect. Overall, many families express gratitude and trust, praising the staff's dedication and the tangible differences they have observed in their loved ones' well-being.

This part of Wakefield, Rhode Island, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of senior residents. With several restaurants, pharmacies, cafes, physicians, hospitals, transportation options, parks, and places of worship within close proximity, seniors can easily access essential resources for daily living. The area also boasts recreational opportunities with nearby parks such as Fort Adams State Park and Ninigret Park. Additionally, the presence of reputable healthcare facilities like South County Hospital and Thundermist Health Center ensures that seniors have access to quality medical care. Overall, this neighborhood provides a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle in Wakefield.

Restaurants

• Whaler's Brewing Company (0.3 miles)
• Phil's Restaurant (1 miles)
• Brickley's Ice Cream (1 miles)
• Mews Tavern (1.2 miles)
• TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill (1.7 miles)
• Arutro Joe S (1.8 miles)
• Mariner Grille (1.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Green Line Apothecary (0.8 miles)
• Wakefield Prescription Center (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.6 miles)
• Walgreens (9.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Marina Cafe and Pub (8.9 miles)
• Starbucks (9 miles)
• Belle's Café (9.1 miles)
• Mokka Coffeehouse (9.3 miles)
• Kaffeology (9.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.4 miles)

Physicians

• Thundermist Health Center of South County (0.8 miles)
• South County Pediatrics (0.8 miles)
• South County Internal Medicine (1 miles)
• Brown Dermatology (1.1 miles)
• Dialysis Center Of Wakefield (1.2 miles)
• South County Dermatology (1.3 miles)
• Parmentier A Hilton MD (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• South County Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Naval Health Clinic New England (9.4 miles)

Transportation

• West Kingston Train Station (KIN) (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Fort Adams State Park (8.2 miles)
• King Park (9.1 miles)
• Ninigret Park (9.2 miles)
• Storer Park (9.2 miles)
• Battery Park (9.3 miles)
• Perotti Park (9.3 miles)
• Queen Anne Square (9.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Joseph's Rectory (9.7 miles)