Central Assisted Living

    1509 Central Ave, Far Rockaway, NY, 11691
    4.4 · 16 reviews
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Clean safe medical care understaffed

    I moved my sister here and overall I'm glad we did. The facility is clean, well-run and conveniently near the A train; rooms are spacious with private baths, meals are served three times daily, and medical care is excellent - nurses are nearby and provide daily wound care. Staff are compassionate, capable and honest (the administrator actually resolves problems), but they're clearly overworked and there is almost no programming - plus occasional laundry mix-ups. I'd recommend it for safety, cleanliness and medical care, but with reservations about engagement and staffing.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    4.44 · 16 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.3
    • Staff

      4.4
    • Meals

      5.0
    • Amenities

      5.0
    • Value

      4.4

    Pros

    • Compassionate, caring and friendly staff
    • Capable and responsive administrator/management
    • Very clean rooms, cafeteria, and common areas
    • Spacious rooms with private bathrooms
    • Meals served three times a day
    • Good medical care available (including daily wound care when needed)
    • Active community events and holiday programming
    • Helpful and truthful supervisors
    • Convenient urban location (near A train)
    • Well-lit spaces and a well-run facility
    • Residents retain a degree of freedom and independence
    • Family members would recommend or are satisfied with placement

    Cons

    • Inconsistent or lacking activities for some residents
    • Laundry mishandling and clothing mix-ups
    • Staff appear overworked at times
    • Facility feels basic/adequate rather than luxurious
    • Some residents have high-acuity needs (daily wound dressing)
    • Occasionally described as merely a place to house people with issues

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the reviews is positive but mixed: many reviewers emphasize exceptional cleanliness, caring and thoughtful staff, and competent management, while a smaller but significant set of comments raise concerns about activities, laundry handling, and the institutional feel of the facility. Multiple reviews use strong positive language about staff caliber and compassion, calling the facility well-run and recommending it to others. Cleanliness is repeatedly and emphatically praised—rooms, cafeteria, and common areas are described as very or the cleanest, and spaces are noted as well-lit. Several family members report that their relatives adjusted well and appreciate the room, food, and community aspects.

    Staff and management are among the most frequently commended aspects. Reviewers mention a capable administrator, truthful and informative supervisors, and staff described as helpful, polite, and thoughtful. Problem resolution with a modern ethos and accessible nurses (sometimes within sightline) are noted, suggesting management responsiveness and clinical oversight that families value. These comments are reinforced by reports of daily medical care availability, including wound dressing and other nursing tasks, indicating the facility can manage higher-acuity needs.

    Facility features and location are generally favorable: rooms are described as spacious with private bathrooms, the building is in a convenient urban location near the A train, and holiday/community events and other activities are available according to several reviewers. Meals are served three times daily and are specifically mentioned as something residents and family members like. The physical environment—clean, well-lit spaces and a nice facility—contributes to positive impressions and to family members recommending the community.

    However, there are clear and recurring concerns. Activity offerings appear inconsistent across reviews: while some residents and families report many activities and active holiday programming, others complain there is "absolutely nothing to do all day" and no reading material. This contrast suggests uneven engagement programming or variable resident participation. Laundry problems are a concrete and worrying negative: reports of clothing not being returned or residents wearing others' garments point to operational lapses that affect dignity and daily life. Reviewers also note staff appear overworked, which may help explain service inconsistencies and contributes to an impression among some that the facility is more of a custodial environment than a lively assisted living community.

    Clinical care is a mixed but important theme. The facility's ability to provide daily wound dressing and to have nursing nearby is a strength for residents with higher medical needs; several reviews view this as evidence of good medical care. At the same time, mention of frequent wound care and high-acuity residents can influence atmosphere and expectations—some prospective families might interpret that as evidence the community houses many residents with significant medical issues, which could be a negative if they are seeking a more active, low-acuity assisted living environment.

    In summary, Central Assisted Living is consistently praised for cleanliness, compassionate staff, competent leadership, private and spacious rooms, and reliable dining and medical services. The main areas to probe further in a tour or conversation with management are activity programming consistency, operational practices around laundry and personal belongings, and staffing levels to ensure services remain reliable. For families prioritizing clinical support, safety, and cleanliness, the facility appears strong; for those seeking a more luxurious setting or a highly engaging activity schedule for a lower-acuity resident, expectations should be clarified beforehand.

    Location

    Map showing location of Central Assisted Living

    About Central Assisted Living

    Central Assisted Living sits right in the heart of Queens, New York, and has been family-owned and operated for nearly 40 years, so there's a long sense of experience behind its day-to-day care. The community offers assisted living, nursing care, and a strong memory care program known as the Central Townhouse, which is one of the few options in New York State that accepts Medicaid for memory care residents. Meal times come with restaurant-style dining and all-day meal options, and there's a professional chef who makes sure foods are prepared to meet special dietary needs like diabetes or allergies, so residents don't have to worry much about meals. Folks can choose from furnished rooms with private bathrooms, cable TV, kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and spaces designed for wheelchair and mobility access-so comfort and accessibility are addressed for different needs.

    For daily life, Central Assisted Living provides help with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, or medication management, and there's always 24-hour supervision from staff that includes both full-time and part-time nurses. Housekeeping, laundry, and dry-cleaning services are there, along with a concierge and move-in help to make things simpler. Residents can stay as active as they want with a schedule of social and educational programs, fitness classes like aerobics or dance therapy, and wellness checks, while there are also onsite therapy options, counseling, and a clinic if anyone needs medical support or skilled nursing care. The activity calendar usually has social clubs, movie nights, picnics, music activities, arts, tabletop games, costume parties, outings, and even devotional activities offsite for those who enjoy those kinds of things.

    The facility offers adult daycare services too, and products including My Adult Foster Care, My Adult Home Care, My Senior Care Hub, and My Adult Behavior. Tele-Health lets staff keep an eye on residents' health remotely, which adds another layer to the care. There's help with medical appointments and on-demand transportation plus parking for those who need it. An emergency alert system supports safety and the electronic visit verification helps track visits and care services. Services like wheelchair and mobility assistance, male caregivers for those who need or want them, and staff who're trained in ethics all add to the sense that care here is thoughtful and comprehensive. Most of the staff speak English, and the facility encourages residents to decorate their own suites with familiar things from home, so life there feels a little less clinical and a lot more personal.

    Central Assisted Living accepts both Medicaid and Medicare, making it possible for folks with varying financial situations to live there. The Central Townhouse Memory Care unit caters to those living with memory-related conditions like Alzheimer's, and includes secured spaces and a dementia waiver program, all with a focus on resident safety. The community has indoor and outdoor activity spaces, a computer room, library, spa and wellness room, and activity rooms, plus private and common areas where people can gather or unwind. Central Assisted Living's range of features-housekeeping, nutrition programs, a family support system, a strong schedule of outings and social events, and recreational and wellness programs-aims to keep residents engaged, comfortable, and well-cared for in a setting that tries to feel as much like home as possible.

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