Birch Bay Retirement Village
John Smith
"Birch Bay Assisted Living Falls Short on Staffing and Care"
Birch Bay looks nice, but staff turnover causes problems. New staff don't know how to care for our loved one, and they ignore our notes. They say they don't have enough staff to help, and it's hard to reach someone after 5 PM. Birch Bay seems to be getting worse. They can't hire the right people or enough people to give good care. They stay in business because there aren't many other places around. If there was competition, Birch Bay wouldn't make it.
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Peter H
"Maintenance and Communication Shine at Assisted Living, Minor Service Issues"
The maintenance staff at the cottage provides excellent service for covered items without charging fees. They promptly replaced our refrigerator when it was needed. However, there are some issues in the Inn due to staff shortages and high service charges. The communication about upcoming events is also lacking. Despite these problems, I am very satisfied with life in my cottage. It's a good value for the money, and I plan to stay here as long as I can.
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ANP
"Birch Bay: Nice Views, Some Issues"
Living at Birch Bay is nice. The hillside views are incredible, and it's close to Bar Harbor village, which has a hospital, grocery store, drug store, and seasonal restaurants. The place is well-maintained, and the chef, head nurse, and support staff are wonderful. However, the executive director is too focused on money, and the head activities coordinator is unfriendly. If they were replaced, it would be a 5-star place.
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anonymous
"Great care and convenient location make Birch Bay highly recommended"
We picked Birch Bay mainly because it’s close to me. I can visit every day if I want, which is a big plus. They also have a great approach to care with music therapy, which really helps people with dementia. It’s a relaxed place where residents aren’t forced to join activities if they don’t want to. The only downside is that it feels a bit like a hospital. It’s pricey, but the excellent care is worth it. I would definitely recommend this place to others.
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Anonymous
"Mixed Experience at Assisted Living"
The apartments aren't great, but the surroundings are beautiful. Food is good, but there aren't many planned activities. They charge extra for services. Staff is friendly, but it's tough to connect with other residents.
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Anonymous
"Mixed Experience at Assisted Living Facility"
The place looks beautiful, but the food quality depends on the chef. The apartments have design issues with hard-to-reach shelves and storage. There should be more activities, but space is limited. The staff is great, and the system for assistance works well. COVID-19 rules are strict but effective.
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Anonymous
"Peaceful Hilltop Living with Friendly Staff and Scenic Views"
Clean, nicely decorated halls and friendly staff make this place pleasant. The medical staff can be a bit too involved, maybe because of the pandemic. The views from the walking path around the apartments are amazing. The meals are okay. The hilltop location ensures quiet surroundings.
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younger resident
"Bordering a fantastic national park"
This village is bordering Acadia National Park. There are tons of opportunities for mountain activities. Even for those who are less athletic, the scenery is beautiful, and there are opportunities to appreciate this in almost any way you'd want, including boat rides, scenic drives, and horse drawn carriage rides. There are also many dining possibilities and cultural experiences available in the town of Bar Harbor. The fantastic maintenance crew takes care of gardening, snow removal, routine maintenance, and any special repairs, so that residents can spend more time doing the things they want to do.
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aadole
"Cozy Assisted Living in Birch Bay Delights Residents with Amenities"
25 years ago, we settled in Trenton, Maine. Four years ago, we moved to Birch Bay for health reasons. The atmosphere here is friendly, understanding, and caring. The food is yummy and rivals many local restaurants. There are lots of activities to pick from. They provide a van for shopping, park strolls, and occasional restaurant outings. The local doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are good. It's reassuring to know they're quickly available. The grounds are pretty and well taken care of by the maintenance crew.
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Anonymous
"Wonderful, Caring Attention in a Beautiful Setting"
My mom gets wonderful and caring attention here. I’m really grateful for this lovely place!
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Stephen Moulton
"Lovely but Too Pricey"
This place is nice, but it costs too much. It's really for people who have planned well or have a lot of money. Their Safe Harbor wing is $390.00 a day.
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Unhappy
"Service decline and poor food quality."
It was great at first, but now it's understaffed and has a high turnover. The music is almost gone, and the food is not worth what they charge. I'm very disappointed in how things have gotten worse.
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Unhappy
"Unhappy With Rapid Decline and Poor Services"
Started off okay but going down quickly. They need more staff and the ones they have keep leaving. Not enough music activities and for the money we pay, the food is usually not good. It's sad but we're starting to feel that we should be somewhere else.
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Customer
"Bright and Cheerful Assisted Living Facility"
The trip takes 1.5 hours, but roads are smooth. Inside, the place and staff seem excellent. Even on a cloudy, damp, chilly day, it feels warm, bright, and cheery, like a resort.
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