1 / 5CMS Care Compare
Bear Hill Rehab draws praise for its therapy team, several standout staff members, and a warm, family-like atmosphere, with multiple families reporting strong recovery outcomes for elderly loved ones. However, at least one detailed review describes serious lapses in basic care, call-button responsiveness, and food quality, suggesting inconsistency depending on staffing and unit.
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Bear Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a senior living community in Stoneham, Massachusetts offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 4.0 out of 5 across 164 reviews.
Bear Hill Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a CARF-accredited subacute and skilled nursing care facility located just north of Boston in Stoneham, Massachusetts. The center provides skilled nursing services, subacute care, short-term rehabilitation services, long-term care services, and hospice care.
The facility emphasizes person-centered care with a holistic approach that addresses the body, mind, and spirit. Each of its care programs is designed to address the specific rehabilitation and care needs of patients and residents seeking quality care, whether for short-term rehabilitation stays or long-term living solutions.
The nursing staff includes genuine, caring individuals whose credentials extend beyond medical certifications. The center describes itself as a close-knit community that feels like a second family, with an emphasis on warmth and hospitality in patient interactions.
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Help Me Choose4overall · 164 ratings combined
4★ on Google (164)
Marla Kahn
Mar 2026
I visited a friend who is a resident. An aide helped my friend and I met her physical therapist. They were so pleasant and warm. It is also a very clean facility and my friend told me she enjoys many activities. She hadn’t been in assisted living before and is happier than I’ve seen her in a long time!
Walter Sacco
Jan 2026
Sara Rao, the Activity Director at Bear Hill, has had a steady and positive presence at the facility for many years. Through an exceptionally challenging period-including COVID, frequent ownership and administrative changes, and significant resident and staff turnover, Sara has remained a consistent stabilizing force. She puts tremendous thought and effort into creating engaging activities that bring residents together and encourages meaningful social interaction. Her work plays an important role in helping residents stay connected, involved, and supported in their daily lives, which is essential in a long-term care setting. Our mother has been a resident at bear hill for several years. On many occasions Sara has gone above and beyond her role by personally setting up spaces for individualized family celebrations, such as birthdays or holidays. That kind of personal attention and care is not something you see every day and speaks volume about her dedication to residents and their families, especially ours. We are very grateful to Sara for her care and kindness towards our mother. While there is no facility without its challenges, Sara is truly a bright spot at Bear Hill. Her commitment, creativity, and compassion make a real difference, and the facility is fortunate to have her. Regards – The Sacco Family
Gail Taibbi
Jan 2026
I just spent 10 long days at Bear Hill rehab. I do not recommend this place. The food is horrible. What you ask for is never what you get. The staff is neglectful for the most part. You have to keep asking for things over and over. You eventually learn to do without. If you are lucky enough to have one of the three superstars on staff during your stay, you will be treated with compassion and respect. They are “Ashley”, “Evan” and a nurse named “Walter”. All three of these people do the work of five others. Otherwise you get a bed. You are on your own. The PT and OT staff is hard working and efficient! It does not match the rest of the facility. The meds are often given very late, up to 3.5 hours late. If you speak up, you are met with annoyance or indifference. Mostly very unprofessional nurses and workers. There were many days when we never got washed up in the morning and just sat there in our pjs until we did the best we could ourselves. You learn quickly that you can not rely on the call button. Often nobody ever comes. They will tell you not to walk to the bathroom without supervision, but there was no supervision available, so I had to. One night I had to urinate in a styrofoam cup! It was that, or pee the bed. It was a terrible experience and I would not recommend it to anybody!
Dee Mandolese
Oct 2025
October 2025, We're back. Sadly mom took a bad fall and her confidence has been shaken to the core. At Melrose Wakefield Hospital they asked which rehab. It was an immediate Bear Hill Rehab in Stoneham please. Amen they had a bed available and I requested our wonderful 90 yrs young mother's favorite nurse, Sharma. To our delight we found out today that Sharma has an opening in her ward. Mom arrived just after 4 this afternoon and I had already filled out the paperwork and was anxiously waiting in their lobby for the ambulance transport to arrive. When she did and I told her who was waiting for her, she lit up for the 1st time, since last Thursday night's fall. Her beautiful smile was worth a million. As the EMTs wheeled her down the hallway, here came Sharma to welcome both of us as if we were family. She took my mom's hand and placed a kiss on it. It took everything in me to hold back the tears. Yesterday I thought this was the horrible transition, where our parents don't always come back from. I arrived home tonight with such HOPE. More nurses remembered mom from Easter and even the Physical Therapist who came to assess her before heading home recognized mom's name and mom knew her immediately when she walked into her room. I text the whole family with confidence that mom will do great and make a full recovery from this. Bear Hill Rehab has no idea how much of a difference this afternoon made to my mindset and more importantly our mom's. Hope, faith, and their absolutely amazing, genuine staff I'm confident will help us get mom back on track. Oh, and if you've never had the pleasure of meeting Karen at their front desk, who is the warmest person you'll be blessed to meet, you're missing out. I'll post again in 2 weeks with mom's progress. God truly blessed us and definitely our incredible mom. 🩷 Easter 2025, that you Sarah for putting together this amazing Easter Sunday Dessert Buffet for residents, patients, and their family's. March 2024: Mom landed back to back in February in the hospital. This time it's her seasonal vertigo, which is early this year and presented differently. At 89 she has a whole body weakness to the point of no longer being able to walk. When asked about rehabs I didn't hesitate to request Bear Hill Rehab in Stoneham. I know the reviews are all over the place for rehabs on the North Shore, but let me assure you, mom's been to many in the past ten years for everything from her vertigo to collapsed discs. I've seen what the PT, nursing, and administration staff are like, and what their commitment is to their patients. I will swear by the dedication of the Bear Hill team. Mom is washed everyday and dressed. Mom gets vigorous OT and PT 6 days a week. Mom's room is kept immaculate. Mom waits no longer than 5-10 minutes when she pushes the assistance button. Mom's meals are always nice and hot at dinner time and are in line with her dietary needs. Mom raves about how kind and gentle the nurses are with her. She raves about the PT reps and how they understand if she can't give them another five or ten of something, so they'll smile and say; how about two more reps! Their new Short Term Rehab wing came out beautiful and was done with much attention to every detail. Let's understand, No rehab, especially coming off COVID, is going to be the way we were accustomed to prior. The times of immediate responses to everything is gone. Staffing will probably never go back to what is was and I can't blame the healthcare professionals who experienced more than anyone should in their lifetime. However, for the staffing Bear Hill has, the services are exceptional, and the follow-up is what we wish the industry standard would return to.
Deb Reed
Nov 2023
Wow! This place is awesome! The only place I would bring my precious 91 year old mom, with advanced dementia, and a broken hip. I am very protective of my family, like a Tiger and her cubs. My mom is recovering from her broken hip so well, even at 91 years old. Thanks to your outstanding staff in every department. I hope my husband brings me here if I ever have to rehab. 💝💝💝 And I can even bring my pup!
3 inspection visits in the last three years, 33 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 6, 2026
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 28, 2025
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 28, 2025
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 11, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 28, 2025
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 28, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 23, 2024
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 23, 2024
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 11, 2024
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Bear Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Bear Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is located at 11 North Street in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Bear Hill Rehab draws praise for its therapy team, several standout staff members, and a warm, family-like atmosphere, with multiple families reporting strong recovery outcomes for elderly loved ones. However, at least one detailed review describes serious lapses in basic care, call-button responsiveness, and food quality, suggesting inconsistency depending on staffing and unit.
Bear Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center had 3 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 33 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
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