Durgin Pines is a senior living and nursing home community in Kittery, Maine, sitting about 3.9 miles from Portsmouth. It was established in 2001 and is still family owned and operated today. Residents find long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and respite care all in one place, and the staff stick with unique names for their programs and roles, using terms like nurse managers, RNs, LPNs, care coordinator, food director, and registered dietician, so everyone knows who does what. The building holds 26 mostly private rooms for people in short-term rehabilitation, plus 55 long-term care rooms, and residents usually stay in studio layouts designed for comfort.
The setting feels calm and homelike, and the team works to keep everything from lights to noises as relaxing as it can be, aiming to avoid unnecessary stimulation that can bother some folks. The activities department keeps people busy with daily events, groups, and one-on-one activities, matched to whoever's physical and mental needs need it most, with special programs meant for socializing and self-expression. A secure dementia unit helps keep long-term care residents safe, and a range of therapies are on offer to help each person reach their best level of independence.
Durgin Pines is licensed and certified for nursing care, and they offer fully-managed meal plans made by the registered dietician, so nutritious eating is part of daily life. The community also has a unique 16-child intergenerational preschool right onsite, which brings young children and older adults together day after day. Reviews average 3.9 out of 5, and the facility holds a strong 8 out of 10 rating, making it second highest in the city. The nursing home services get 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which shows their effort and care at the clinical level.
Durgin Pines works with local doctors and healthcare groups so residents get good care from different sources when they need it. The care coordinator makes sure each resident's care plan stays personal and fits their own wants and needs. Medicaid and private pay options are both available. Durgin Pines keeps up a team of licensed and certified professionals, using advanced healthcare methods that have evolved since the facility opened, and in all its daily work, the focus stays on individual well-being, dignity, and keeping things simple and peaceful.
