Overall sentiment in these reviews is mixed, with a substantial number of positive comments about the facility’s appearance, therapy services, community atmosphere, and many individual staff members contrasted by serious, recurring concerns about staffing reliability, supervision, and professionalism—particularly during night shifts.
Positive themes: Multiple reviews emphasize that the campus and buildings are attractive, well-maintained, and spacious. Families and residents frequently praise the grounds and describe the community as beautiful and heart-warming. The community atmosphere receives strong marks: residents and families report a supportive, friendly culture with caring staff who show compassion and go above and beyond for many residents. Rehabilitation services (PT/OT) are singled out as particularly good, and medical staff/doctors have a positive reputation. Meals are prepared on-site and are generally liked, with feeding assistance available when needed. Organized activities, transportation (for example, a bus to the mall), entertainment and a variety of social options (puzzles, bowling, computer use, acts) are noted as valuable offerings that contribute to resident quality of life. Practical amenities such as included cable and telephone, on-site kitchens in some units, ample parking, a parking garage, and security at entrances are also appreciated.
Negative themes and safety concerns: Several reviews raise serious safety and management issues that cannot be ignored. Multiple commenters describe problematic night-shift staffing: ignoring call buzzers, leaving residents unattended, and staff reportedly using phones (texting, video games) during shifts. There are accounts of personal belongings going missing and at least one severe incident in which a resident fell, broke her nose, never recovered, and later died—this review alleges insufficient oversight and that nursing leadership had not actually seen the resident. Some families felt the need to drop in unannounced in the evenings to check on loved ones. Other reports include unprofessional behavior (rudeness), isolated but serious allegations of racist remarks by staff, and a reported smell of marijuana on the premises. Infection-control and virus-procedure lapses are mentioned, and some reviewers describe the rehab unit or caregiving as neglectful. There are also notes about high costs (one reviewer cited a roughly $400/month food charge), limited cafeteria seating for visitors, and variation between units—some units are active and well-resourced while others have few activities and residents who spend long stretches alone in rooms.
Variation and inconsistency: A clear pattern is that experiences often vary by unit, shift, and even by staff member. Many families report exemplary care from nurses and aides and would recommend the community; others report neglectful behavior severe enough to involve HR or result in long-term harm. Management appears to be aware of some complaints (executive staff meetings are mentioned) but reviewers indicate that meetings do not always translate into consistent corrective action. This inconsistency—excellent daytime care and programming paired with concerning night-shift and isolated misconduct—creates a mixed overall picture.
Implications for prospective residents and families: The facility offers many strong features that appeal to seniors—beautiful grounds, good therapy services, on-site meals, activities, and a welcoming community. However, prospective residents and families should investigate specific concerns before committing: ask for details about night staffing ratios and supervision, incident reporting and resolution processes, background checks and training for staff, property-loss policies, infection-control protocols, and unit-level activity schedules. Visit during evenings and weekends to observe staffing and resident supervision first-hand, speak with current families about their experiences across different shifts and units, and get written explanations of all extra charges (such as food fees).
Conclusion: Masonic Care Community of New York appears to provide high-quality amenities, rehabilitation services, and a strong community for many residents, supported by numerous caring staff members. At the same time, multiple reviews document serious lapses in supervision and professionalism—especially overnight—that have led to distressing outcomes for some families. The decision to choose this community should weigh the facility’s strengths against these documented risks, and families should perform targeted due diligence focused on staffing, safety, and management responsiveness prior to moving in.
