Billerica Crossings

My parent is a resident here and i would say that up until this summer we have been very happy with the care. However, there have been major staff changes here recently and key positions are being filled part time by staff from other Benchmark facilities as well as having nurses fill in as activity directors--especially in the memory unit. It is unclear if this is financially driven, or what is going on--but numerous other resident's family members have shared their concerns with us. Ask a lot of questions if you are considering BC and make sure you are getting what you are paying for. On the plus side, the aides have always been loving and involved, but due to a lack of leadership and consistency of staff, what had been an incredibly good facility has gone downhill quickly. Hopefully they can recover, but have been floundering for a couple of months now.

When placing our loved one in an assisted living facility, Billerica Crossings really had everything we were looking for: it was located close to amenities of the community for ease of getting out-and-about for short jaunts, the facility itself was immaculate, and the staff was caring and attentive. We had toured at least half a dozen facilities in the area looking for the perfect fit for our loved one who was beginning to need assistance with the routines of daily life. Each location we saw had some high points and some low points but when we went to Billerica Crossings we had only positive notes from our visit. Each staff member we met gave us complete attention, treating us very warmly and taking time to find out why we were there and outlining some of the benefits we would have at Billerica Crossings. The facility was so well laid out the dining room was very appealing and all of the common spaces were lovely. Everything felt fresh and clean, and just how you would want your loved one to be living and treated. Haverhill Crossings really was a shining star among the assisted living facilities we looked at in the Merrimack Valley.

I ultimate chose Billerica Crossing because it had the best overall experience for my grandmother. They have a friendly staff. They serve the residents all of their meals in a great dining room, and adhere to dietary restrictions. They have daily activities for the residents ranging from morning exercise, to bingo, to a painting class. They also go out outings. Some simple like to a local grocery store to get their necessary toiletries and such, and once a week on a full day outing. They also have movies almost weekly that they show in one of the common rooms. Residents are even allowed to have a pet cat if they so choose. Some of the rooms are private having their own kitchenette and living spaces/bedrooms, plus a bathroom. Others are double rooms with 2 private bedrooms and a shared kitchenette and bathroom. My only real complaint is one that is found at pretty much all facilities of this nature, and that is the understaffment of CNA's. There are only 4 CNA's on duty at any given time. They care for, bathe, give medications, and other tasks for 75-100 residents. This is not enough staff. My personal thought is 1 CNA to every 8-10 residents. The average rent is $4000 a month per resident. At that rent, they should get a little more personalized care. But other than that the facility is fantastic.