The Residence at Brookside

I was so impressed with THE RESIDENCE at Brookside property, and with their staff. I was visiting a close, family friend, who was transferred there on July 1st, 2026, on their birthday. What a great birthday gift, thanks to his Conservator, Nalida Perez. Reflections Director, Kevin Baird, handled the transition quite smoothly, and was very accommodating and welcoming. We were given a tour of the property and we were impressed how well they maintained their property inside and outside. The staff and residents are all so nice and all welcomed our friend with open arms. The programs they offer the residents are amazing and having a Chef to prepare the residents food, is the icing on the cake. Guests can dine with their loved ones for only $25. Very affordable, considering the high quality food they have listed on their menu and prepared by a Chef. I will highly recommend this place to others, who are looking for placement for their loved ones. Thank you, Kevin Baird, for taking such great care of Paul.

While the facility looks beautiful from the outside, the food is fantastic, and there are a few kind employees, we deeply regret our decision to move my mother into the memory care unit at Brookside. All of my mother’s jewelry went missing shortly after she moved in, including her engagement ring. We got very little help or concern from the staff and have since filed a police report. Then, only two months after my mother moved in, they “reassessed” her and concluded that she needed $3000/month additional care, and then were completely unresponsive for over a month as I tried repeatedly to find out more about the basis for the increase (my mother’s condition had not materially changed). To make matters worse, the additional care that they claimed was needed, was certainly not provided in any way that we observed. We also discovered my mother frantic one afternoon, in a robe, without any pants or underwear. Brookside was withholding at least three loads of her laundry from her. After contacting the CT regional long term care ombudsman, we received partial relief, but have had to move my mother to a different facility. The whole process has been a nightmare.

The NURSING STAFF - Agnes (Director) and team has been nothing short of spectacular to our mother as she encountered challenges over the past 4 months. They are attentive, flexible and tuned in to exactly what each patient needs to get them back to healthy. Our mom is quite frail...when she became bedridden the staff responded with hand feeding...regularly adapting medications and support of every kind....adding staff to monitor/assist as needed...calling in the outside PT and Doctors as needed....prescribing, receiving, adjusting and administering meds....and she got to the other side! When Mom became ill again, Agnes literally went to visit her in rehab TWICE. As Mom's rehab situation changed, Brookside adapted and stood ready to welcome her back and even lead the transition for us because immediate family was out of town. I never ever feel like a bother. I am always made to feel special and like our Mom is a valued member of their family. Brookside is worth every penny....all one has to do is spend time anywhere else and you will quickly learn...from the Nursing Staff to Management (Stacey Tucci)...to the front desk staff to the daily caretakers....even the Residents....this place is absolutely wonderful.

My parents have been at Brookside for nearly three years and they are doing well and are happy to be there. Highlights include (in no particular order): 1) caring & respectful staff across the organization, 2) meals and cocktail hour, and the numerous parties with special menus, 3) really good activities: gardening program featuring raised garden beds, games, live music, arts and crafts - quilting/ crocheting / painting / flower arranging, 4) excellent front desk staff - very friendly, and very "on top of things" - registering everyone who enters and exits, staying on top of all deliveries, the transport service, etc., 5) the onsite nursing and nursing assistant staff - responsive, caring, friendly, 6) tight integration with quality external care providers (e.g. physician's assistants, physical therapists, podiatrists, etc.) and availability of community transport for external doc appointments, 7) comfortable, clean, well maintained rooms, many with kitchenettes and large bathrooms, and plenty of closet storage, 8) the beautifully maintained grounds that offer a nice mix of sun and shade, with smoothly paved paths for walking that have benches along the way, 9) the warm and comfortable vibe the whole place had from the beginning and still has.