La Paula Manor

    25 South Paula Drive, Bergenfield, NJ, 07621
    4.4 · 17 reviews
    • Memory care
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    5.0

    Boutique dementia home exceeded expectations

    I placed my mom in this boutique, dementia-focused home and it's been night-and-day better than the big communities. The small, very clean, house-like setting, hardworking and very patient staff, hands-on director, and regular family updates give me real peace of mind - nutritious home-cooked meals (she's gained 20 lbs), lots of activities (piano, dancing, karaoke, art therapy), and no hidden fees. Communication and responsiveness are strong overall, though outside therapy/doctor scheduling can be unreliable and activities could use more variety. Overall I'm very pleased and would recommend it for quality, family-style care.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.35 · 17 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.7
    • Staff

      4.5
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      3.5
    • Value

      3.7

    Pros

    • Friendly, helpful, and patient staff
    • Responsive and accommodating care team (in many reports)
    • Home-like, family-like atmosphere
    • Small, boutique dementia-focused community
    • Very clean and comfortable facility
    • Quiet residential location with pleasant surroundings
    • Nutritious, home-cooked meals prepared by a professional chef
    • Varied social programming (piano, dancing, karaoke, art therapy)
    • Hands-on director and accessible management
    • Regular communication and updates to families (calls, Zoom)
    • Personal attention due to small resident population
    • All-hands-on-deck approach to meet residents' needs
    • No miscellaneous fees
    • Residents appear well cared for; measurable improvements reported
    • Secure, cozy environment (no smoking)
    • Recommended by multiple reviewers; provides peace of mind
    • Cleanliness noted across multiple reviews

    Cons

    • Limited physical and occupational therapy services
    • Some reviewers find the community expensive
    • Inconsistent communication and unreliable scheduling reported by some
    • Activities sometimes lack variety and frequency
    • Occasional negative first impressions or distrust in staff
    • Facility described as run-down or in need of maintenance by some
    • Some reports of only two main meals per day (snacks provided)
    • Mixed reports on responsiveness — varies by shift or situation

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with multiple reviewers highlighting La Paula Manor as a small, boutique, dementia-focused community that delivers a home-like and family-oriented experience. The most consistent praises concern the staff — described as friendly, helpful, patient, and hardworking — and the level of personal attention residents receive. Reviewers emphasize a hands-on director and staff who are willing to accommodate needs, provide regular updates to families (including Zoom calls and phone communication), and demonstrate an "all-hands-on-deck" approach during care situations. Several comments explicitly contrast the smaller, more intimate setting of La Paula Manor with larger nursing communities, describing it as a massive improvement and a source of peace of mind for families.

    Care quality and outcomes are generally rated highly. Many reviewers report that residents are well cared for, with one specific case noting a resident who gained 20 pounds after moving in. The small resident population and staffing model (some reviewers note about 4–5 staff on duty) seem to enable frequent staff interaction and individualized attention. Some medical coordination is also mentioned positively — families receiving calls from doctors or physical therapists and staff assisting in locating outside doctors and resources.

    Dining and daily life receive favorable attention. Multiple reviewers praise the food as nutritious and enjoyable, with home-cooked meals prepared by a professional chef and predictable meal times. However, a few reviews note only two main meals per day with snacks provided, which may be viewed as a limitation by some families. Social programming is a clear strength for many: live piano, dancing, karaoke, and an on-site art therapist are all cited, which supports an engaging, lively atmosphere for residents who enjoy music and creative activities.

    That said, there are consistent caveats and mixed experiences to consider. The most common concerns relate to therapy services and operational consistency. Several reviewers point out limited physical and occupational therapy options on-site, and others mention that scheduling can be unreliable — including late appointments and residents being kept waiting. Communication is described as proactive and regular in many reviews, yet a subset of reviewers report poor communication or a negative first impression that led to distrust. These opposing accounts suggest variability depending on staff on duty, timing, or individual expectations.

    Facility condition and activities are other mixed areas. While many reviewers call the facility very clean and comfortable, a minority describe it as run-down or in need of maintenance. Activities are plentiful and varied according to several accounts, but others feel programming could be more frequent and offer greater variety. Cost is also a factor: although reviewers appreciate transparency such as "no miscellaneous fees," some still characterize the community as expensive.

    In summary, La Paula Manor appears to be a strong option for families seeking a small, dementia-focused facility with a warm, home-like environment, attentive staff, and engaging social programming. It excels in personalized care, cleanliness, and family communication in many cases, and it gives families peace of mind compared with larger nursing homes. Prospective residents and families should, however, confirm specifics about therapy availability, meal schedules, activity frequency, and staffing consistency — and inspect the physical condition of the building — since reviews indicate variability in those areas. For those prioritizing individualized attention, a family atmosphere, and programs like music and art therapy, La Paula Manor receives substantial positive endorsements; for those needing robust on-site therapy services or strict predictability in scheduling, further inquiry is advised.

    Location

    Map showing location of La Paula Manor

    About La Paula Manor

    La Paula Manor sits in a quiet residential neighborhood as a 12-bedroom home and gives each resident their own room so they can get more personal care, and being a smaller place with only twelve rooms really lets the staff pay close attention to each person, since there aren't big crowds or too many people coming and going, and the staff is awake twenty-four hours a day so they're always around if someone needs help, which is good because the residents here have Alzheimer's disease or other dementia issues and sometimes need reminders about using the restroom, getting to their meals, or just managing their medications, while the building has special technology like bracelets that alarm the staff if anyone starts to wander off, which helps keep everyone safe without feeling too locked in because there's an enclosed courtyard where folks can get fresh air, plus inside and outside there are common areas for relaxing or being with others.

    The manor runs activities both on site and with little trips out, and there's a full-time activity director who tries to make sure everyone has something to do that fits their needs and keeps life interesting, and the staff offers devotional services right there, which helps residents who want spiritual support, and the meals are made for nutrition, served three times a day, special dining programs available, and the staff can give support if someone needs help eating, plus there's a beauty salon, which some residents might enjoy as a treat now and then.

    La Paula Manor allows pets but there's no smoking in private or public areas inside, and the staff includes nurses who can help with insulin shots and check blood sugar for people who can handle their own injections, and if someone needs more medical help, like hospice, that's available too, though the community mainly focuses on supporting residents with medium care needs, like getting dressed or taking a bath, so they don't have to try to do everything themselves.

    People say the staff treats residents like family, and the manor tries to make things less confusing for people with memory troubles by keeping routines and setting up the environment so it's safe but still feels like a home, which helps both the residents and their families feel more comfortable about day-to-day life.

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