Life Care Center of Acton — Local services in Acton

Let’s face it, no one enjoys watching their loved ones enter a rehab or life care facility. The story of my father is a simple one. He suffered a mild stroke which caused complete blindness in his left eye and later, partial blindness in his right. Before this issue, he was a very healthy 87 year-old. He cycled, when weather permitted, 25 miles/night up until the age of 77. He worked a full time job and still drove. Well, within a matter of seconds, the driving and working were gone and his life would be forever changed.

He spent two weeks in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he was diagnosed with a rare disease, GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis), which caused the apparent mini stroke. After completing several tests over a two week period, it was decided to transfer him to a rehab facility. We chose Life Care Center of Acton because it was closer to home and my elderly mother would be able to visit him. The day he left MGH, before being transported, he had a minor incident where he nearly fell when trying to make his way to the bathroom, but he quickly grabbed on to the side of his hospital bed to keep himself standing upright, but by doing so he hurt his wrist.

We visited him the day he entered the Acton facility. He was roomed with a gentleman who was leaving the following morning. We were advised that morning the roommate tested positive for Covid-19 so they immediately moved my father into a room with a single bed. Before doing so, my father had asked an employee, which he assumed to be a nurse, to please look at his wrist as he felt he may have sprained it the day before at MGH. The person sourly said, “I’m not touching you.”

From this point forward, my fathers stay was nothing but an emotional rollercoaster ride. He was unable to get the PT that he was there for because he himself had contracted Covid-19. His days there were then limited to bed, and bed only. He complained to us daily, while on the phone or in person that he was not receiving the attention he needed, whether it be to get up and use the bathroom or simply walk around. Upon entering his 10th day in the facility he also mentioned he had not been bathed in 4 days.

Frustrated, my sister contacted the head nurse of the facility by telephone and asked why our father had not been bathed, it was explained to her that he refused to be bathed. Because of this being an out right lie the decision was made to get him out of the facility ASAP.​ We were told they would not release him until he could produce a negative Covid-19 test. Two days later he was released back into our care and sent home.

Upon his arrival home, we noticed he was severely dehydrated and weak, to the point he was not able to even standup to use the walker supplied by MGH. For the short period he was home it was nothing but a nightmare for all of us, especially him. At approximately the 30th hour of returning home he asked that we call 911 because he felt as though something was seriously wrong. He was correct! If we hadn’t had him rushed to the UMass Medical Hospital in Leominster when we did, he may have easily passed away. We were told by the physicians that he had contracted sepsis and his kidneys had shut down. The attending ER physician asked if we would consider authorizing a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate Order) to which we said no. When we asked what may have caused this to happen we were advised that it may have resulted from dirty conditions at the rehab facility, Covid-19 or even the possibility of crossing medications he was now taking. It maybe ironic, but all three of those things may have occurred while staying at the Life Care Center of Acton. Furthermore, he was still testing positive for Covid-19.

Our father is on the mend but not without complications from this experience. We understand that he is 87 years of age and life can quickly change but we also knew how his condition was when entering the facility versus the time of his dismissal. We would NOT recommend this facility to...

I am writing an early review regarding my impressions of Life Care Center in Acton. My dad has dementia and after living on his own for years he had a set back last week. Not sure but all of a sudden he is not able to walk well and has lost some of his motor skills so I made the difficult decision to bring him to long term care at this Facility. I am impressed with the Director of Admissions and the nursing staff all the way to the nutrition manager who is so kind and has been reaching out to me to ensure my dad is eating well. So impressive and very kind. They reached out to me to write about him so they can get to know his story which is also a good sign. I have been able to call and check in with my Dad's nurses on his condition and status they are always kind and have details about how my dad is doing which is also a great sign of his quality care. The process of visiting him has improved, I get daily texts updating on COVID cases which have been zero since my dad got there and they keep us updated to visitation hours. Visiting him is extremely important as I am trying to make sure he is settled in well since it is all still very new to me and also to an old man with memory issues. I am hoping that this smooth process will continue and COVID visitation restrictions will continue to improve and iron out. My dad and I have been fully vaccinated. I volunteer in a hospital myself and very aware of DOs and Do NOTs. Safety is number 1 to me and I am very good at following the rules if they are explained to me well. I am giving a 5 star to this facility and recommending it to my friends and followers on social media since many of them are in the same position as me and looking for a good place for mom and dad. As I have talked to other family members on my way into this facility everyone seems happy. I am hoping this will continue and that I have found the right place for my dad. We are not fancy people we are just looking for caring staff and compassion. The work that the staff does is so very challenging especially during these pandemic times and is very much appreciated. I will post more updates as our journey continues. Getting old is hard let us treat each other how we would want to be treated in our old age and time of need. God...

I would never recommend this Life Care center for to anyone! My 68 year old sister has been a resident here for the past 5 years. It was listed as 5 stars when she entered. I thought it was beautiful, but she insisted since she got there that it was horrible and she didn’t like it as the staff, never took the time to know who she was, or show real care for her. I noticed that her concerns were correct, as since she was admitted, I have witnessed all her belongings being deposed of and Also the staff decisions since she arrived that she was incompetent of making her own decisions, despite her being fully aware and completely confident!! My sister was diagnosed with Covid 19 May of 2020. She spent two months fighting with Covid, Pneumonia and on oxygen. I was not notified about any of this until her outside medical provider contacted me. After two months my sister recovered, only for me to be notified by her staff Manager to notify in July that she was being transported to Emerson hospital wound care for a bed sore she received as Stated “Because she doesn’t like it when we move her?!” Life Care has been negligent in all my contact. My sister is now dealing with infected sores and MRSA, which they are no longer treating her for. I have been desperately sending messages to her medical staff asking them to please allow me to be able to be with my sister as she is at the end of her life and every message has been ignored! My sister is so alone and precious to me. My heart has been breaking for the past year for sending her to this...