Swan Brook Assisted Living

    924 Gardners Neck Rd, Swansea, MA, 02777
    4.3 · 4 reviews
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Caring staff despite management issues

    I placed my father here and the initial manager was pleasant - he was happy in the beginning. Later the head nurse was disrespectful and unresponsive, and a scabies outbreak was mishandled and misdiagnosed (Norwegian scabies) without notifying residents, which required board of health intervention. After a leadership change things dipped, but the RN and CNAs were highly attentive, communicated with our family often, monitored meals/activities, coordinated hospice care, and frequently went above and beyond. It's a small, homey, affordable place with a nice owner and friendly staff - my father loves it and I highly recommend it.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.25 · 4 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.7
    • Staff

      4.0
    • Meals

      4.3
    • Amenities

      4.3
    • Value

      5.0

    Pros

    • attentive and caring staff
    • frequent family communication from RN and CNAs
    • small facility with personalized care
    • staff monitored meals and activities closely
    • staff went above and beyond
    • hospice care involvement when needed
    • pleasant initial manager
    • owner described as nice
    • affordable
    • homey and friendly atmosphere
    • residents and families willing to recommend

    Cons

    • head nurse described as disrespectful and unresponsive
    • scabies outbreak occurred
    • residents were not notified about outbreak
    • misdiagnosis of Norwegian scabies reported
    • board of health had to intervene
    • decline in quality after leadership change
    • inconsistent management and oversight

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but leans positive about daily caregiving and the facility's general atmosphere, with serious concerns centered on management and infection control. Multiple reviewers praise the hands-on attention provided by direct care staff, noting that registered nurses (RN) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) communicated frequently with families and monitored residents’ meals and activities. The small size of the facility is repeatedly framed as a strength, contributing to personalized care, a homey environment, affordability, and a friendliness that some residents explicitly love. Several reviewers explicitly state they would recommend the facility and highlight hospice involvement and staff willingness to go above and beyond as important positives.

    Care quality and staff behavior: Direct care quality is consistently described as strong. RN and CNA communication is highlighted as frequent and attentive, and staff are credited with monitoring nutritional intake and activity participation. Phrases such as "attentive," "friendly," and "staff went above and beyond" appear in multiple summaries, indicating reliable day-to-day caregiving and family engagement. The initial manager was described as pleasant and one reviewer noted a family member (father) was pleased early on, reinforcing that the facility can provide a positive experience under attentive leadership.

    Facilities, dining, and activities: The facility's small scale is a commonly mentioned advantage, allowing staff to provide personalized attention and maintain a "homey" atmosphere. Monitoring of meals and activities was called out explicitly, suggesting attention to residents' daily routines and nutritional needs. No detailed complaints about physical plant, dining quality, or activity offerings appeared in the summaries; instead, emphasis was on individualized oversight and staff involvement in daily life.

    Management and serious concerns: The most significant negative themes relate to management, infection control, and a reported decline after leadership change. A head nurse was described as disrespectful and unresponsive by at least one reviewer, which contrasts with the otherwise positive depictions of front-line staff. The most serious incident reported is a scabies outbreak. Reviews claim the facility did not notify residents about the outbreak, that Norwegian scabies was misdiagnosed, and that the board of health had to intervene. These issues indicate lapses in infection control protocols, communication, and possibly clinical judgment. Multiple reviewers connect a broader decline in quality to a change in leadership, implying that management consistency and oversight may be problematic.

    Patterns and overall assessment: Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of a small, affordable assisted living that can deliver compassionate, individualized daily care through committed RN and CNA staff, producing strong family communication and frequent recommendations. However, these positives are offset by serious governance and safety concerns reported by multiple reviewers, particularly around a scabies outbreak, failure to notify residents, misdiagnosis, and the need for external public health intervention. The contrast between praised front-line caregivers and criticized leadership suggests that while resident-facing care may be strong, systemic issues in management and infection control have materially impacted trust and safety for some families.

    Recommendation for prospective families: Prospective residents and families should weigh the facility's clear strengths in personalized, affordable care and supportive staff against the documented management and infection-control concerns. Important due diligence steps would include asking current leadership about infection-control policies, outbreak communication procedures, recent health department inspections or interventions, staff turnover since the leadership change, and how the facility handled the reported scabies incident and what changes were implemented afterward. This balanced approach acknowledges the facility's many positive attributes while directly addressing the most significant risks highlighted in the reviews.

    Location

    Map showing location of Swan Brook Assisted Living

    About Swan Brook Assisted Living

    Swan Brook Assisted Living sits at 924 Gardners Neck Road in Swansea, Massachusetts, not far from Providence and about 50 miles south of Boston, in a quiet, green neighborhood that feels a lot like home with landscaped gardens all around, and there are only 29 private units to choose from, including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, so it doesn't feel crowded. The staff helps with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and managing medication, and they're there all day and night, so someone's always around if you need a hand or you don't feel well. People who live here get personalized care plans, and there's extra support if someone lives with diabetes, Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive issues, or Alzheimer's. Memory care and nursing home services are available, so families don't have to worry about moving if health needs change, and you can also find home care and hospice support through nearby communities.

    The indoor spaces are made for socializing, learning, or just relaxing, with Wi-Fi, phones, and air conditioning to keep everyone connected and comfortable, and there's a community library plus a barber and salon right on site for easy access. Outside, folks sit in common areas or stroll garden paths, and if someone likes outdoor activities, local trails and nearby beaches aren't too far away. Daily, you'll always find something going on-a full schedule of social events, exercise classes, games, and community gatherings keeps everyone active and part of things. There are also on-site devotional services, with more options offsite for those who want them, and fitness programs so people can move and keep healthy.

    Support at Swan Brook focuses on letting people stay independent while still offering the help that seniors sometimes need, and whether you choose assisted living, independent living, or memory care, caregivers make sure you're safe and well cared for. Amenities cover what most people want and need, including good food, comfortable indoor spaces, outdoor areas for fresh air, and beauty services to keep up routines. The setting makes daily life easier because there are banks, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and gas stations all within five miles, so family visits run smoothly. Prices aren't posted, but people can ask to learn about costs, payment options, and the different floor plans. Swan Brook Assisted Living gets solid reviews from residents and families, averaging around 4.5 stars out of 5, with people mentioning the caring staff, the comfortable environment, and the many activities offered. The community is operated by Purple Door, LLC, and provides a reliable choice for seniors in Swansea who want help with the basics, some extra care, and a supportive place to live.

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