Sandy River Center

Sandy River Center is a senior living facility at 119 Livermore Falls Road in Farmington, Maine, that has 82 certified beds, a staff that gives about 3.16 nurse hours per resident per day, and 35 private rooms in a building surrounded by tall pines and close to a nature trail, offering residents some scenic views. This place has indoor common areas, a beauty salon, family visits, and a bird feeder, and rooms with private balconies or patios, cable TV, an alarm system if needed, and both private and semi-private layouts to choose from. Residents can bring pets if possible, and the environment stays smoke-free. People often say that the staff and nurses are friendly and make an effort to know the residents, and folks can join in birthday events, bingo, bake sales, and other activities meant for socializing, or attend religious services with a visiting priest, plus family can visit any time. Meals here include home-cooked options, though there have been requests for fresher fruit, less canned food, and some more variety in dishes like chicken or fish, and there's also meal service for all residents, along with laundry, housekeeping, phone, mail, and wireless internet provided for everyone. The center caters to different health needs, with skilled nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, an on-site medical director, regular attending physicians, and a range of therapists offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus services like wound care, neurological rehab, orthopedic rehab, IV therapy, and pain management, with specialized dementia care, respite care after surgery or sickness, palliative care, hospice, and home health support also offered. Safety features include an elevator and ramps, a 24-hour emergency response system, medication checks, X-ray diagnostics, podiatry, and care planning, along with help for VA patients and options for long-term, short-term, or post-hospital stays. Residents can join cultural, educational, and religious activities on and offsite, and the place encourages people to keep as independent and as healthy as they can, offering outings, scenic strolls, and a place to just be comfortable with others their age. Sandy River Center is connected to Genesis Healthcare, it has managerial staff: Diane Morris since December 2023, Avery Osella and Joanne Shaw since March 2024. The facility's inspections documented 49 deficiencies, including 16 in August 2024, with one related to infection control, and there were citations about not having enough staff on some shifts and not completely meeting every standard for a clean, safe environment. Nurse turnover rate is near 52%. Some folks have said they wish there were more and better qualified, caring aides, especially CNAs. The community takes Medicare, Medicaid, private pay, and insurance, and keeps an open atmosphere with both private and social spaces, and has always kept its focus on resident needs but has areas where improvement's still needed.