The Best Nursing Home Communities in Monroe County, NY

"A loved one was once a resident of The Brightonian. The people were very nice. The dining area was very nice and clean. However, it smelled of urine in there, and I'm very picky with smells. The staff is very nice, though. I didn't try the food because it didn't look good. Also, they told us the day before the insurance ran out that he was going to go on private pay. They did not tell us ahead of time."

"Although it can be difficult for an elderly person to lose their independence, the Highlands at Pittsford does their best to accommodate residents in such a way that makes it feel like home. The facilities were fresh, clean, and cheerful, with many large windows; I saw several outdoor patios where residents could socialize or simply enjoy the sun. The Highlands at Pittsford offers several levels of care, ranging from nearly independent living, through assisted living all the way to advanced nursing care. My grandfather initially was a resident of assisted living and later transferred to a more advanced level of care; at both levels the staff was wonderful. I could tell they genuinely cared about the residents, their level of closeness felt more like family instead of an employee/client type of atmosphere. The best part was probably the number of social activities available to the residents; it seemed like there was always something going on that elderly people would actually like to participate in, like watching older movies they remembered fondly, or stretching exercises outside, or even an ice cream social. My grandfather actually made several close friends during his stay at the Highlands; it was nice to see how he was able to remain active and engaged in such a positive atmosphere. "

"My father was in the rehab unit for over 2 months. He thought the food was very good, especially the soups. His therapists were excellent - they pushed him to recover as much as possible and worked on things he'd need to go back home and be independent again. The staff was excellent. He had a single room, everything was very clean. They had a lot of activities for the residents - bands, fireworks, music, etc - that they could participate in if they wanted to. Excellent care! "

"This place is a dump. It was recently taken over by a company on Long Island. The recording that plays when you're on hold makes it sound like a spa. My sister is a resident on the 3rd floor and they never answer the phone (the 2nd floor does answer). She said the food is terrible. Her room is crowded & the laundry practically throws her clothes in the closet. There is a heating unit by the window & the bottom is broken & hanging loose. The wall behind her bed was plastered very sloppily. Her call light is frequently not answered. There is sometimes food on the floor in the hallway & recently there was blood there. The staff is nice enough. My sister's hair hasn't been washed in months. No amenities, although you'd never know by listening to the telephone message. Big turnover of staff. "

"This place needs so much improvement that it just screams "help!" the instant you walk in the door. Gardens are untended, walls need painting, eating areas are nearly what you'd imagine in a concentration camp, and there are NO CHAIRS for visitors at all. You must go around to hunt one down in the hall or in a room where one is unused and unbroken. There is no decent art on the walls, no cheery color, no inviting area amid the linoleum and metal furniture for comfort. The staff is pleasant and helpful if asked. I think it would be hard to work in such surroundings. "

"I first visited St. Ann's Community at Chapel Oaks with a friend of mine who was also looking to move in there. I liked it a lot. What I really liked was the choice of floor plans for the apartments. I saw the whole facility. One thing that they had that the other community did not have was an indoor pool. I do water aerobics, so that was a factor for me. The woman who showed me around was very informative. She answered all my questions. She showed me all the amenities and a couple of apartments with different floor plans. The place was very clean and very inviting. I also liked their kitchens more. They were all stainless and much nicer."

"My husband has been admitted to St Anns Community. I like that he is getting round-the-clock care, and the staff has been helpful. He has only been here since Thursday, but so far, I have not had any complaints. It's quite a big facility, but it's very clean. They keep it clean."

"Best nursing home I have ever has my mom in. This place puts the residents first. And takes their care very seriously. My mom came out of her shell here. The rooms are like regular bedrooms so there is complete comfort. Not a hospital like setting "

"Jewish Home was very nice. The food was very good. They had a barber system set up for the men. Their expense was more than I could handle. "

"Nursing staff was professional and timely with providing care to my mom. The food was pretty good for the most part. The dietician was helpful in picking out alternate food options for the fish she didn’t like. Rooms were clean and well maintained. Every room came with their own TV. Closets could be bigger, but everything fit and the nursing home was willing to provide laundry service. There were activities everyday and the activity staff were extremely friendly and energetic. Bingo seems like the hot ticket as everyone seemed to show up for that. "

"My parents moved into Friendly Home. It's a great facility. It's rated number one in New York State. They're very attentive. They have nurses and they have nurse practitioners on call. They have a social worker. They are in a shared room that's got a wall, but because they're together they got this shared room to themselves. They have their two recliners and a TV, and then they have two twin beds on the other side because they've set it up for a couple. They have all kinds of social events downstairs and they're both doing physical therapy. I think the food is excellent. They're phenomenal compared to other places around here."

"I recently visited this home with my friend to see his dad. I read some reviews online describing a nightmare. However, that was not the case I experienced. The staff was friendly and helpful. I spoke with several residents in the main lobby who seemed to me to be in upbeat and friendly. We used the elevator to reach the second floor spoke with a friendly orderly for directions and found his dads room to be clean and in good order. His father was in the rec room and was being supervised with several other residents. Again, I found a friendly monitor supervising the group and the atmosphere was upbeat and clean."

"I was sent to Hill Haven because other nursing facilities had no people trained to work with the wound vac I was being treated with. My room was a shared room and my bed was older but worked. The mattress was quite worn and made it uncomfortable. The room was cleaned regularly and my bed sheets were changed and bed made almost every day. There was a dresser and night stand and reclining rocking chair. There's also many sitting areas and dining rooms to use for visits with friends and family. The bathroom was dated but some are new. I thought the staff was very friendly and interested in me personally and my recovery. They made me feel safe and cared for. Many said they were sad to see me leave because I was easy to work with and I consider them all friends even though the nature of the relationships is professional and we don't have any interactions outside the nursing home. The physical and occupational therapists were outstanding and instrumental in my speedy recovery. I've been very independent all my adult life and it is a very stressful situation to be completely dependent on the help of others. They were kind and understanding and most of all encouraging when I needed it most. I couldn't ask for better. The director for activities also was interested in all of us. He was in almost everyday to invite us to various activities. I really liked the bus rides we had to shop and get some personal things. There is a calendar put up in every room every month to show what activities are planned. There's things with art, music, reading, religious services and even movies to watch together. Patients that are mobile can leave the building and walk or wheel the grounds. You can leave the grounds but you have to be cleared by the PT and OT therapists first. Each room has cable TV and there's Wi-Fi available for anyone with a device for the internet. There were ample outlets in the room I was in for things like a radio. I was able to watch netflix and hulu with the Wi-Fi when there was nothing on the TV. Pets are allowed to visit if they are current on their shots. That really lights up the residents when someone visits with a pet. The food was good and tailored to my healing as well as diabetic needs. I would have no problem recommending Hill Haven based on my stay. "

"Penfield Place was closer to us, so we can get there anytime we wanted to. They have on site activities, like bingo and music, and provide three meals a day. They usually provide transportation, but they have a doctor right there at the home and a visting priest. They have different functions. They have laundry and meals and bring my mother her snacks. The staff is very helpful. They help her go into the bathroom, and if she needs assistance, she just presses the button. "