3.2(225 ratings)· New York average: 4.1
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Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care is a senior living community in New York, New York offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care and Independent Living. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 3.2 out of 5 across 225 reviews.
MJHS Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care is a skilled nursing facility in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan, New York, offering short-term inpatient rehabilitation and long-term care. Founded in 1875, the 705-bed center has been a pioneer in caring for older adults and is now part of the MJHS Health System.
The center provides comprehensive care including physical and emotional support for patients recovering from surgery, injury, or illness, as well as those requiring long-term nursing care. MJHS Isabella Center is one of the few skilled nursing facilities in New York City to offer certified ventilator-dependent beds and a step-down unit designed to help residents transition from mechanical ventilation to independent breathing. The facility also provides on-site hospice and palliative care for residents with chronic or life-limiting illnesses.
Specialized programs include a dementia care unit offering non-pharmacological interventions, individualized dining experiences, and flexible living schedules for residents at all stages of dementia or cognitive impairment. The center operates a respite care program providing short-term skilled nursing care to support family caregivers. Rehabilitation services are delivered by a dedicated team of professionals developing personalized care plans to help residents regain strength and independence.
The facility is situated on four lush acres in the Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan and maintains a commitment to fostering a warm and uplifting atmosphere. Residents benefit from on-site amenities designed to support quality of life and engagement.
Isabella House, a separate high-rise apartment building located on the campus, provides independent living options for adults 62 and older, featuring moderately priced studio and one-bedroom apartments with skyline views and various amenities.
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Help Me Choose3.2overall · 225 ratings combined
3.2★ on Google (225)
Jamie S. Blair - Mobile Notary
May 2026
I oftentimes have to notarize signatures on documents - typically estate planning such as powers of attorney - for residents of this facility. I have to say that the staff is always courteous both to me as well as my clients. The rooms are well-kept and the atmosphere is generally pleasant, never overcrowded or stressful. If you are in search of a rehab center for a loved one, I can wholeheartedly recommend Isabella.
Myra Renta
May 2026
First, I would like to say all the staff with the exception of one horrible female attendant during the night shift were nice and polite. If your love one is bed ridden and dependent on oxygen, I do not recommend Isabella at the 515 building. Oxygen was not always readily available when she had to go to PT/OT. Several times she was depleted of oxygen for several reasons: 1) lack of maintenance of the oxygen concentrator. 2) she was left on the oxygen tank a few times which runs out when she should have been transfer to the concentrator. 3) Lack of H20 tanks in the therapy room. At least one time that I know of her tank ran out during PT/OT. From the 2nd floor to the 11th, she had to wait for very slow and busy elevators to get her onto the concentrator. Being depleted of oxygen raises heart rate and mind become disorientated, damaging heart and mind. Also, they only have 5 liters concentrators. My mother needed a 10 liter to be more independent. Now that she's at home, she not dependent on diapers. With the right amount of oxygen she is able to use the bathroom. Many times during her 100 days stay she was not changed for hours. The 11th floor was understaff and had to perform several duties; therefore, neglecting her needs many times. This brings me to her discharge day. At 12 noon, I inform the staff that her transportation was coming to pick her up at 1pm and she needed changing before leaving. I asked them several times. Her transport arrived and yet they did not change her until almost 2. By the time we got downstairs, transport left. I called her social worker several times to inform her to what had happen with no response. I found her in her office. She called for mom to get picked up again. Mom lives 10 blocks away and yet we got home some time after 5pm when we should had been home by 2pm. Moreover, while we were waiting her oxygen tank was running low. One more issue I had to deal with. If it wasn't for mom's family support, things would have been a lot worse for her. "Refer to Richard B. if you want to know more about our mother stay at Isabella."
Josephine Davis
Apr 2026
I would strongly advise against placing your family member in this facility. Since the new management took over, the quality of care has significantly declined. The facility is severely understaffed, with nursing assistants often responsible for 15–16 residents each. This makes it impossible to provide safe, attentive care. Meals are frequently delayed, with residents receiving cold food 1.5 to 2 hours late. There have been noticeable cases of rapid weight loss among residents, which is deeply concerning. Basic hygiene and dignity are not being maintained. Residents are not consistently showered, and many are left sitting in urine or feces for extended periods due to lack of staff. Some residents remain in soiled linens for hours because aides are overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the workload. These conditions lead to frustration among residents, sometimes resulting in verbal or physical altercations. The overall environment feels chaotic and distressing. Management appears disconnected from what is happening on the floor. The focus seems to be more on operations and cost than on the well-being of residents. Staff are overworked, and concerns do not appear to be addressed effectively. This is not a place where vulnerable individuals receive the care and respect they deserve. Please consider other options before trusting this facility with your loved one. PLEASE!!!!
John Uncle
Mar 2026
Most staff is professional and has empathy for the Patients, Unfortunately very heavily understaffed! 2 maybe 3 Care takers at a time to attend to 30 Patients to a floor and other floors have 45 Patients some patients have to lay in their own" mess" sometimes anywhere between 40 minutes to 4 hour's!& this isn't exaggeration!& 3 security guards only on the Ground floor lobby. So if a Mentally Disturbed or frustrated patient decides to go into your loved one's room and assaults them. Their's nothing at all That can be done! Until security gets to that floor& location by using the sometimes not working elevators & breakfast lunch and dinner are always 1 to sometimes 3 hour's late& always cold!& it's not allowed to be heated up! Because the new Geniouses of the new administration isn't allowing microwaves on any floor, not even for employee's! Over 700 patients some patients medical insurance pays $500.00 to $1,700.00 a day to Isabella Nursing Rehabilitation Center add that to a week then a month to a year!& they choose not to hire extra Care takers to watch over your loved one's needs!& not even 1 security to each floor to make sure your loved one is at least safe! From any potential harm! From various other patients that might be on antidepressants or other mind and mood altering medications 💊 🤔. I give Isabella 1 star 🌟 for now until they get their act together! Your loved one's personal medical records and Personal information shouldn't be shared with any staff! Unless they are " Certified Doctors/ Nurse's or An assigned Social Worker! Not a caretaker/ pastor or religious person or janitor ect...Wich has also been observed in the past! To avoid infections and extra sickness 😷 to patients being washed and changed! More care takers must be hired!!!!
Arieta Salovic
Jan 2026
I am writing this review to warn other families about the extremely poor level of care my loved one received at this facility. My grandmother was placed here for one year, and during that time her health declined significantly instead of improving. The elderly residents are not properly fed or hydrated. My grandmother suffered severe dehydration and lost a drastic amount of weight while under their care. We repeatedly raised concerns, but nothing meaningful was done. Toward the end, she became unresponsive, extremely drowsy, and was unable to eat or drink for several days. We specifically asked the staff to test her for an infection, as her condition was clearly deteriorating. We were told they would “take care of it,” yet no urgent action was taken. After two days of worsening symptoms and inaction, we had to take matters into our own hands. Only then did the facility finally decide to call an ambulance and send her to the emergency room. When we arrived at the hospital, we were met with over 30 doctors working desperately to save her life. Tragically, it was too late, and she was later pronounced dead. This facility failed to provide basic care, failed to respond to clear medical emergencies, and failed to advocate for a vulnerable elderly patient. No family should have to experience this kind of neglect. I strongly urge anyone considering this place for their loved one to think very carefully and ask hard questions before trusting them with someone’s life.
7 inspection visits in the last three years, 37 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 8, 2026
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, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 25, 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, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 25, 2026
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Dec 25, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Install proper backup exit lighting.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Jun 1, 2024
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Feb 10, 2024
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Feb 8, 2023
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 14, 2023
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 15, 2023
Assure the security of all personal funds of residents deposited with the facility.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 20, 2023
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 27, 2023
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 27, 2023
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 27, 2023
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 27, 2023
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 27, 2023
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 27, 2023
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 27, 2023
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Feb 10, 2023
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 13, 2023
Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Feb 8, 2023
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity C of L: potential for minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Dec 28, 2022
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Jan 26, 2023
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 29, 2020
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 30, 2020
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 30, 2020
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.
Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care offers Independent Living and Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care is located at 515 Audubon Avenue in New York, New York.
Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care carries a 3.2 out of 5 rating from 225 Google reviews. Reviews on MyLivingChoice come from families who confirmed a connection to the community and appear with the reviewer's first name and last initial.
Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care had 7 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 37 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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