Overall sentiment across the review summaries is strongly positive, with very frequent praise for the staff, the social environment, the facilities, and dining. The most consistent theme is that many residents and families find Langdon Place of Exeter to be a caring, clean, community-oriented residence where staff—from admissions and activities to nursing, dietary and maintenance—are engaged, warm and responsive. Multiple reviewers singled out specific staff members (e.g., Denise Petty, Nancy V, Jean) and leadership for being personable and hands-on. Cleanliness, attractive grounds (gardens, ponds, walking areas), and resort-like public spaces (mansion-like dining room, library/den, piano room) are repeatedly noted. The facility’s pool and whirlpool, indoor amenities, and private-room layouts with windows and private bathrooms contribute to an upscale, comfortable impression for many families.
Care quality and staff performance receive overwhelmingly positive commentary in the bulk of reviews. Many reports describe skilled nursing, compassionate caregiving, strong nurse leadership, prompt responses after incidents (falls), individualized care plans, and meaningful family communication, including open Zoom calls and frequent updates. Rehabilitation services (PT/OT), exercise classes, and therapy-led improvements in mobility were highlighted. Staff consistently receive credit for going above and beyond—helping with non-medical needs, tailoring dining seating, engaging in activities, and maintaining consistent communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Housekeeping and maintenance are frequently described as attentive and quick to resolve issues, contributing to a sense of safety and order.
Facilities, amenities and activities are another major strength. The building is described at times as resort-like/upscale with bright common areas, private rooms with en suite bathrooms, a sizable and warm indoor pool, whirlpool, gym and piano room. Outdoor areas, sliding glass doors, fishpond/pond, attractive grounds, and seating areas encourage socializing and fresh-air time. Programming is robust and varied: weekly cocktail hours, monthly celebrations, themed events like lobster cookouts and pig roast luaus, chocolate fests, bowling, live music, sing-alongs, afternoon tea and many resident-focused outings. Activities staff are credited with creative programming (including contributions from UNH interns) and strong resident engagement. Dining is frequently praised: varied menu choices, enjoyable desserts (banana cream pie cited), lobster events, and chefs who receive direct compliments. Room-service dining and personalized table seating are also mentioned positively.
Despite the many positive reports, there are notable and at times serious negative themes that warrant careful attention. A small number of reviews allege severe medical mismanagement: claims of overmedication, inappropriate prescribing by the physician, observed deterioration and emaciation while under Langdon’s care, and subsequent improvement after transfer to another facility (including medication reduction and weight gain). These accounts raise accountability concerns about medication oversight and physician practices. While these reports are not the dominant narrative, they are significant and recurring enough to be treated as a material red flag for prospective families: ask for medication-management protocols, physician oversight details, recent quality audits and the facility’s process for incident escalation and family notification.
Other operational and safety concerns appear with some frequency. Several reviews mention limited medical transportation (notably “Thursdays only” by appointment) and constraints on wheelchair/scooter assistance—family members may need to provide transport for medical appointments. Some reviewers noted that the facility may not be equipped for residents who cannot self-evacuate (fire-code/compliance concerns and disclosure issues were raised), creating stress about potential displacement if a resident becomes non-ambulatory. Pool access is a benefit but also described as restricted because it requires multiple supervisors for resident use. A few reviewers perceived a focus on financial considerations—competitive lifetime fees, affordability and month-to-month options are positives, but at least one review accused management of prioritizing money over residents and removing higher-needs residents. Several comments also point to occasional lapses in leadership, inconsistent nursing coverage, poor communication or disarray; these appear to be isolated but meaningful counterpoints to the otherwise strong staff praise. Memory care availability is another recurring theme: the facility does offer memory care and respite beds, but some families encountered shortages or waits for memory-care placement.
Accessibility and unit-level notes are mixed. Many reviews praise the welcoming, small-community feel and quick admissions process, but specific units or apartments were described as small, dated or dark by some reviewers. Others noted accessibility challenges like ramps and difficult walking in parts of the property. Maintenance responsiveness and the friendliness of front-office and activities staff mitigate many concerns, but prospective residents should tour the exact apartment types, check natural light and ask about room sizes and upgrades.
In summary, Langdon Place of Exeter is repeatedly characterized as a warm, clean, activity-rich and professionally staffed community with strong family communication and many desirable amenities—particularly for residents seeking an engaged social community, good dining, and attentive day-to-day care. The dominant impression across reviews is one of appreciation for staff dedication and a lively program of events. However, there are several important caveats to consider: investigate medication management and physician oversight given isolated but serious allegations of overmedication; clarify transportation policies, wheelchair and scooter support, and emergency evacuation plans for non-ambulatory residents; confirm memory care availability if that is likely to be needed; and verify the supervision policies for pool use. Touring the exact unit, meeting nursing leadership, asking for written policies on medication review and incident reporting, and speaking directly with families of current residents will help prospective residents and families weigh the very positive overall environment against the few notable safety and medical concerns reported.
