Designed for seniors who seek an active and hassle-free lifestyle, our Independent Living accommodations offer the perfect balance between privacy and community involvement. Residents enjoy the autonomy of maintaining their own living space while benefitting from a range of services and amenities, from maintenance-free living to curated social events.
Dominican Village, founded by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, New York, is a not-for-profit Independent and Assisted Living Community. Its mission is to provide a supportive environment in which the sacredness of life and the dignity of each person are held in the highest regard and to offer its residents a choice of programs and services which foster independence, promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, and maximize opportunities for socialization.
wonderful
Great facility and great staff. Highly recommend.
Don’t trust the staff. Admittedly, my mother can be difficult, and I understand why they asked us to transfer her to a different facility. I can’t express how off putting it is to be lied to by the staff. The COO and Wellness Director told me that DV is not licensed to care for residents with memory issues and can’t place monitors on residents who might wander out of the building. However, they
couldn’t explain why only 2 weeks prior that an alarm went off and I asked a nurse if it was a fire alarm. She told me that a few of the residents have monitors bc they open doors and tend to wander out of the building. I was also told that they aren’t equipped to handle residents with mental health issues. How can that be true if they have a Psychiatrist on staff that prescribs psych meds? Also, a nurse once called me, recorded our conversation without my knowledge then taunted my mother.
On the plus side, there are some nurses, who are genuinely caring. Also, Independent Living section is worthwhile.
Your family member deserves better.
No longer run by the kindly Dominican sisters.
I recently ended a stay of 2 1/2 hears at the Village. This review only covers Independent Living. A large number of those living in Independent hire their own aides so that they can remain there when they need some assistance. It is pleasant and quiet, with the population skewered towards women in their 80’s and late 70s.
Management: You should know first that Dominican Village is no longer run by the Dominican nuns. One of the reasons I stretched my budget was because this residence was run by the Dominican sisters. They were known for a kinder and gentler treatment of residents who run out of money. They were able to let many of these stay on. Others were placed in a cheaper but nice residence that accepted Medicaid. Over a year into my stay, the sisters sold the community to a private company and lost control. The new CEO is not good with the elderly and vulnerable. I was offered one relocation that did not suit me, but I had to take it or be out the next day. In the haste to vacate, I had to leave behind all furniture and many other items of value. If you think that you may not have enough money you should definitely ask about their policy. Get any promises added to your contract.
Dominican Village, like many homes for the elderly, was hit hard by COVID and had been losing money. The change in management, in addition to annual rent increases of five and three percent, may not be enough to keep Dominican Village afloat. There did appear to be an encouraging number of new residents this year. But ask about financial stability.
Activities: There are a good number of activities aimed towards the older, such as light exercise. Venerable Bingo is the most attended. Three or four films are screened each week. Catholics will find several masses and rosaries and more. The people are mostly nice, but if you go to the front desk where it is labeled “concierge,” you will not find them willing to go to much trouble for you. There are also four or five shopping trips each week to local malls.
Meals: These are often the center around which senior residences orbit. Here I have to report a great disappointment. The service providing meals for my first two years I thought produced near restaurant quality meals. I often looked forward to meals. But about six months ago they switched to another food service and the quality and variety has seriously dropped (not just my opinion). Cost cutting? I have to deduct a star for meals. Only two meals a day are served: breakfast and dinner. One meal on Sunday.
They have a café from which you can order sandwiches, salads, burgers or a snack. It also has a limited number of sandwiches, salads, and yogurt, as well as candy and chips on shelves ready to purchase. It carries facial tissues, soap, and other personal supplies. This place I think was going to see a lot of changes, because the selection and the hours it was open were not good.
With the Dominicans no longer in charge, and the decline of the food, I can’t see myself choosing it again. It is the best for serious Catholics, as there are a lot of pastoral activities still run by the nuns.