Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center

"This morning my husband and I visited a close family friend who is at the Brigham for rehab following a hip fracture. We were completely horrified at how dilapidated this facility is and how understaffed it is. The rooms are in disrepair after obvious years of neglect. I would NEVER place any of my loved ones there and I cannot get the experience of it out of my mind."

"My mom died at 12:20 AM, and we were not informed, nor was hospice called as is the protocol. My sister went to visit her at 8:30 the next morning, not knowing she was dead. When she discovered her, rigor mortis had already set in. Her eyes had not been closed, and yet she was still hooked up to the oxygen. When she finally found a nurse, she was told that the DON Maureen would be down to talk with us, and hand us a certificate to present to the funeral home. We waited 4 hours for this to happen. We finally went and sought her out. There was no apology and she wouldn't even come out of the office to say she was sorry. Total lack of compassion. This is just a money making business. Dont send your loved one here."

"Awful. Understaffed and just mean. I had to transport my mother to the emergency room because she was severely dehydrated and had a UTI. The staff claimed they tested for UTI but it was negative. I got called a "squeaky wheel" for raising concern and then they said I was more like a "mack truck". The PT nurses were really nice- but the head nurse Barbara was just disrespectful and lacked any empathy. She screamed at me for wanting my mother to be evaluated and did not want to provide transportation. If you send your loved one here, make sure you check in frequently and advocate for a better level of care."

"Nice staff during the day, understaffed at night, our mom experienced abuse thanks to staff who either don't care or who aren't trained to deal with patients who have some dementia. She had bruising on both wrists, all around, from being grabbed. Our mom declined rapidly in her year there, was left to fend for herself during meals despite being almost blind. We'd come to visit at 11 am and would find her in a urine soaked bed that clearly smelled like OLD urine. She caught an infection in the common bathroom, had a roommate who blasted her with loud TV volume. The facility has NO place for families to meet with their loved one, you get together in a shared bedroom with little to no seating. The main dining/common room was always full of seniors always shuffling around aimlessly or staring at walls. Hardly "home like". Hallways were cluttered with equipment. Staff, again, could be friendly and warm or surly and glaring. I had no say in my mom being in this place, a sibling had power of attorney and made the decisions. I know that some staff members tried their best but I wouldn't wish Brigham Health in Newburyport on anyone. It's a warehouse for people who may get a hug now and then - or yelled at because they had the nerve to ask for bathroom help several times over the course of an hour during the night shift."

"Our father was transferred to Brigham Manor a little more than two weeks ago. This place is such a wonderful, caring and kind environment - everyone is so genuinely supporting all patients and residents - no matter if you are looking at long-term or shorter-term care for a loved one. Their operations and social worker staff are outstanding and have become an important partner to us working through all levels of bureaucracy. We can highly recommend this place - a true gem, warm & nurturing environment - just like family."