Overall sentiment: Reviews for Sunrise of Lower Makefield are strongly mixed but lean positive overall. A very large number of reviewers praise the facility's physical environment, hospitality-style aesthetic, cleanliness, and the warmth and compassion of many front-line caregivers. At the same time, a consistent set of complaints—most importantly around staffing levels, inconsistent housekeeping, billing and administrative problems, and a minority of serious clinical or safety concerns—appear often enough to be notable red flags that prospective families should actively investigate.
Facilities and atmosphere: The community is repeatedly described as beautiful, bright, modern and resort-like. Multiple reviewers call it hotel-like, architecturally impressive, and well-designed, with art-filled hallways, large windows, bay windows with scenic views, gardens, courtyards and numerous social spaces (sun porches, screened porches). Apartments are frequently characterized as spacious and apartment-like, though a fair number of reviewers found some rooms smaller or less airy than expected. Common areas, dining rooms and outdoor spaces generally receive high marks for cleanliness and upkeep. On-site amenities such as the salon, wellness areas, gym, and shuttle/excursion services are commonly appreciated.
Staff, clinical care and hospice: The strongest and most consistent praise centers on staff members—CNAs, nursing, therapy teams and hospice providers. Many families single out nursing and therapy (PT/OT) as top-notch, and hospice and end-of-life care are repeatedly described as dignified and peaceful. Numerous reviewers say staff are caring, attentive, knowledgeable and ‘‘go above and beyond.’' Several specific staff members and business-office employees are named positively for helpfulness and clear communication. However, these positive clinical reports coexist with worrying exceptions: multiple reviews report missed feedings, delayed bathroom cleanups, call bells left unanswered, feeding difficulties, and in some cases pressure ulcers or blistering. There are also accounts of unprofessional behavior (yelling, staff talking inappropriately) and at least one medication error and safety incident that led to an investigation. These negative clinical reports are less numerous than the positive ones but are serious, and they point to inconsistent performance that seems tied to staffing and management practices.
Dining and housekeeping: Dining is frequently highlighted as a strength—many reviewers praise chef-prepared food, generous servings, and the ability to accommodate preferences. The dining rooms are described as large, attractive, and social. At the same time, other reviewers said food quality was poor, menus were repetitive or unclear (including reports of no posted menu for months), and dining staff sometimes lacked warmth or discretion (ticketed meals at front desk, billing not handled discreetly). Housekeeping is usually seen as good in public areas, but several families reported specific housekeeping lapses in resident rooms such as dirty rugs, tray tables, and carpets requested to be steam-cleaned but not addressed. These inconsistencies suggest reliable public-area service but variable in-room follow-through.
Activities, social life and family engagement: One of the community’s biggest strengths is its robust calendar—bingo, baking clubs, singalongs, themed days, church visits, outings to restaurants, beach trips and other excursions are regularly cited. Families appreciate that residents are taken out of the community frequently, and the activity program is often tailored to individual interests. Communication tools such as the Smiles app and weekly updates are praised by many families as helpful for engagement, though a few reviewers said app communication was lax or not consistently used.
Management, billing and administration: Management and the business office receive mixed reviews. Several families commend specific managers and business-office personnel for clear, patient communications and help with billing questions. Conversely, a non-trivial number of reviews report billing disputes, hidden or unexpected fees, price increases, poor follow-up, and unprofessional behavior from administrative staff. Some families moved loved ones out citing contract/billing problems or perceived sales misrepresentation. Prospective residents should confirm all fees and billing practices up front and ask for firm written documentation of what is included to avoid surprises.
Safety, security and operational concerns: The campus generally feels secure to many reviewers and memory care is described as separate and appropriately secured in many accounts. Yet recurring operational concerns appear: understaffing for direct-care needs, inconsistent response to call bells, doors reportedly left open or lack of bed alarms, and maintenance issues that sometimes go unresolved. A few accounts allege serious neglect resulting in pressure injuries or poor hygiene. Taken together, these point to uneven operational reliability—excellent in many situations but with lapses that can have significant consequences for high-dependency residents.
Cost, placement suitability and final recommendation: Cost is a consistent theme—many reviewers note that Sunrise of Lower Makefield is expensive, with additional monthly charges and a policy that may exclude Medicaid. Several reviewers describe the place as a ‘‘first-rate residence for affluent older persons.’' For families who prioritize environment, active programming, strong therapy services, and a compassionate frontline staff, the community is often described as an outstanding choice. For those whose loved ones require high-dependency care, very frequent hands-on assistance, or strict oversight of clinical safety and billing transparency, the reviews suggest extra caution: verify staffing ratios, ask for recent incident histories, review the contract and billing practices closely, and seek names of clinical managers and business-office contacts to ensure accountability.
Bottom line: Sunrise of Lower Makefield offers an attractive, activity-rich, and often very compassionate environment with strong therapy and hospice capability and many satisfied families. However, the community also demonstrates recurring, specific weaknesses—staffing shortages for direct care, inconsistent housekeeping, management/billing disputes, and occasional serious care lapses—that prospective residents and families should explicitly investigate during tours and contract negotiations. If aesthetics, activities and a generally caring staff are the top priorities, it ranks highly; if guaranteed high-touch clinical supervision and airtight administrative practices are essential, families should probe deeply and get written assurances before committing.
