Overall sentiment across reviews for Fairview is strongly positive, with a clear majority of reviewers praising the staff, clinical care, cleanliness, and scenic location. Many reviewers singled out the nurses and CNAs as attentive, compassionate, and resident-centered, often noting that staff learn residents’ names and treat them with dignity. Skilled nursing and rehabilitation services (PT/OT and hand therapy) receive repeated commendation; reviewers describe timely medication, effective therapy, and modernized skilled nursing areas that were recently rebuilt or renovated. Memory care is highlighted as a particular strength, with personalized programming (including music preferences), enriching activities, and a safe, protective environment that families appreciated.
Facilities and amenities are frequent positives. Multiple reviews praise the Thames River views, deck space, and proximity to the Coast Guard Academy and its sailing regattas, which many families found uplifting. The physical plant is described as well-maintained, clean, and bright — lots of windows and natural light, pleasant decor, and elements such as live birds and an aquarium that add to a home-like atmosphere. Independent living units are noted as private, nicely done apartments with full kitchens; however, reviewers emphasize that some IL options are small (a 30-unit building) and use a rental model. On-site amenities mentioned include a café, an in-house restaurant for some levels of care, a community hall with a pool, a reading room with decorative touches, and regular appliance maintenance and housekeeping.
Dining and activities receive strong positive remarks. Many reviewers describe meals as tasty, varied, and offering choices, with an in-house restaurant available for some residents. Activity programming is described as creative and purposeful, combining physical, cognitive, and social stimulation — examples include puzzles, games, themed parties, dressing up for special occasions, and therapeutic programming in memory care. Families also noted staff willingness to accommodate family needs (for example allowing family to stay with a resident) and the staff’s attentiveness to personal grooming and celebration of residents’ milestones.
Cleanliness and safety are recurring themes: reviewers frequently remark on an immaculate environment, constant cleaning, pleasant smells, fresh flowers, and strict COVID precautions in many instances. That said, there are specific concerns about inconsistent masking practices noted by some visitors (COVID signage present but some staff at reception or elsewhere reported not wearing masks), indicating variability in infection-control behaviors across staff or shifts.
Despite the many positives, reviews show meaningful variability in the quality of residents’ experiences. Several reports describe serious negative episodes: short, poor stays characterized as chaotic care or rude staff, at least one instance so problematic that the NYS Ombudsman became involved and the resident was relocated, and mentions that the facility may have “gone downhill” according to some commenters. Short staffing is mentioned explicitly in multiple reviews and may help explain inconsistency in care. Other practical concerns raised include the lack of a full meal plan for independent living residents (only a café), limited assisted‑living options within certain buildings, and the fact that the small independent living building may not suit everyone’s expectations for services or scale. A few reviewers also mention that the location makes regular visits difficult.
Patterns indicate that most families and residents experience high-quality, compassionate care in a clean, attractive setting with good food, engaging activities, and strong rehabilitation services. However, a minority of reports point to significant lapses — rude or chaotic interactions, short staffing, and at least one severe care failure — so overall performance can be uneven. Prospective residents and families should be encouraged to tour multiple levels of the campus, ask specific questions about staffing ratios (including night and weekend coverage), assisted living availability, dining plans for independent living units, infection-control policies (masking and PPE practices), and recent Ombudsman or complaint history. Visiting during activity hours and mealtimes will help gauge typical staffing and engagement. Given the balance of strong endorsements and a few serious negative reports, Fairview appears to offer excellent care and amenities for many residents, but due diligence is warranted to ensure the parts of the campus and the level of care sought match expectations and needs.
