Overall impression: Reviews of Franklin Terrace show a community with many strong personal and service-level positives but also important operational and physical shortcomings that prospective residents should weigh carefully. The strongest and most consistent praise centers on staff and interpersonal culture: reviewers repeatedly describe staff as knowledgeable, caring, cordial, and friendly, noting staff members often know residents by name and that the atmosphere can feel family-like. Management and many employees are seen as professional and above-standard in service, which contributes to a generally pleasant tour experience and an impression of good cleanliness in many areas.
Care quality and staffing: Staff competence and warmth are clear strengths in the reviews, and several comments point to good outcomes (e.g., residents beginning physical therapy and being well-fed). However, there are also repeated mentions of staffing issues and that care beyond a baseline is "okay" rather than exemplary. A major operational concern raised by multiple summaries is the provider policy restricting outside visiting physicians and home health services, requiring use of the community's own staff and sometimes forcing caregiver assignments. This policy has led to perceptions of limited choice and even perceived prejudice in assignments; that is one of the most significant red flags emerging from the reviews and something potential residents or families should clarify in advance.
Facility condition and layout: Opinions about the physical plant are mixed. Positive comments emphasize a clean facility with impeccable restrooms, top-notch interior design in showcased units, and an "impeccable" model one-bedroom. Conversely, other parts of the building are described as dated or outdated, with some buildings lacking attributes found elsewhere in the campus. More negative notes include gloomy or smelly hallways and unclear signage that makes the building difficult to navigate. The presence of upgrades underway is encouraging, but reviewers also indicate that those upgrades are incomplete, so condition may vary significantly by wing or building.
Dining and culinary program: Dining receives a split verdict. Several reviewers praise great food, a culinary chef, and the ability to customize meals for dietary restrictions. At the same time, other comments mention lack of variety and meals not being served hot. This inconsistency suggests the dining experience may depend on timing, specific menu cycles, or staffing on particular shifts. Prospective residents should ask for sample meals and inquire about how dietary needs and temperature/quality concerns are managed consistently.
Activities and amenities: The community advertises activities (with posted schedules) and live music events, and some reviewers feel amenities are worth the cost. Still, there is a countervailing theme that "there's not a lot going on" for some residents—indicating that the activity level may not meet every resident's expectations. Activity quality and frequency might be uneven, and prospective residents who prioritize a busy social calendar should probe the current calendar and participation levels.
Cost and value: Price perceptions vary. Some find the cost to be at the high end of their budget, while others feel the value-for-cost is decent or that there are lower-priced options within the community. Overall, cost is a recurring consideration: the facility can be seen as higher-priced relative to budget-conscious alternatives, so financial fit should be carefully evaluated during the decision process.
Specialty care and future questions: Dementia care is now offered, but reviewers note questions about its quality remain. This is an important point for families to investigate in person: ask for specifics about staff training, staffing ratios, programming for memory care, and outcomes or monitoring processes before assuming the new service meets expectations.
Bottom line and recommendations: Franklin Terrace presents a mixed but largely balanced picture: strong, personable staff; clean and attractively appointed showcased units; a culinary program that can excel; and a family-owned, long-standing operation. Counterbalancing those positives are concerns about restrictive provider policies, inconsistent building conditions, unclear signage, occasional odors/gloomy areas, variability in dining and activities, and pricing at the top of some budgets. For anyone considering Franklin Terrace, a thorough on-site visit is recommended that includes: touring multiple wings at different times of day (to assess odors, activity level, and meal service), sampling a meal, asking detailed questions about the provider/vendor policy and dementia care program, reviewing staffing patterns and caregiver assignment policies, and confirming what recent or planned upgrades will address. These steps will help determine whether the community’s strong personal culture and certain well-rated services align with an individual’s priorities and care needs.
