The Kensington

I have had my mother in the The Kensington for almost four years and I simply love the place. It's a small and intimate environment and they really get to know your loved one. As a family member you have access to the staff at all times, and they are excellent with communications whether its by phone or e-mail. And the staff really try and be as accommodating to the extended family as possible. Its safe and supervised, but it still comes off like home, with excellent personalized care. The facilities are very clean and we've been very happy there. As expected, the costs are very high but I'm willing to pay anything to have my mom in an environment that she thrives in. more

Was especially grateful for the care taken with my mother who was sent to the ER while I was out of town. Kensington, unlike Atria in Ossining, both sent an aide to accompany her to the ER and waited for an hour until a replacement could be found. Kensington staff also called ALL contact nos. to make sure a family member was reached. more

The Kesington is a great place for an intimate experiences as you struggle. But, I think it doesn't meet everyone's needs for those who do not have dementia. That's one of the reasons my mother is not there anymore. Additionally, we were able to find a bigger facility, The Kensington is too small. She has her own room now and doesn't have to leave the room open and is less expensive. more

The Kensington were amazing, friendly, helpful, and always available- just really amazing! They just could not have done more for me--they were so helpful. Suzie, that works there, was so professional and so beyond accommodating. From the first day to the last day at the Kensington, it was like no other experience. I can't say enough about her. Even after I left, they were so helpful. more

The Kensington provided a home for 89-year-old aunt and within a very short time, helped her to acclimate. A residential assistance building never feels like your home, but they do whatever they can to make it as close as possible. The food is superb, the place is spotless--so clean--and the people who work there are very responsive--from top to bottom. more

After a year’s worth of debilitating panic attacks and five hospitalizations, I headed for The Kensington, an assistant living residence par excellence on Maple Avenue in White Plains, having been discovered by my wife Mary who had spent weeks looking for just the right place for me and my affliction. Within days of settling into The Kensington’s busy, homey life, the attacks ceased (and efforts were launched that would cut down on many of the antidepressants that had figured negatively in many of my earlier treatment plans). A quick fix indeed, for which I was immensely grateful -- and due in great part to my having been welcomed wholeheartedly into what is rightly described as The Kensington family. “We will take care of the details of daily living, so that you can spend time doing the things you love,” the executive director Celina Watson made clear on my arrival. “This way, you can live securely, unburdened, and well attended in our grand, yet cozy environment.” This community had taken the assisted living model of care to a higher level in an environment of comfortable elegance, staffed by loving professionals. And the key to that professionalism was keeping its residents busily engaged in its considerable social, physical, and recreational activities. I welcomed the presence of a new Yamaha baby grand piano in the entrance hall, which I played daily to my utter delight, revisiting pieces I hadn’t played in decades. I became active in the Resident’s Council, which monitors the welfare of residents, and created a Resident of the Month Poster highlighting those with fascinating life stories to tell. And I shared in conversations with fellow residents at the daily four o’clock Happy Hour. All in all, the interaction with fellow residents has been credited with what distinguishes The Kensington from the competition. In sum, The Kensington reshaped my life. Who could ask for anything more? more

Dear Celina & Staff; I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and thanks for all you've done for my late father, Henry L. Buzzard. As you are aware Dad came to the Kensington from another Senior Living Residence. He was a charter member entering upon the opening of the Kensington in September 2011. It was a decision we never regretted. Dad was closer to our family and became a member of a new family. From the outset, everyone at the Kensington went out of their way to make Dad feel at home. Norm inquired about Dad's favorite foods; Tremayne got him involved in activities; Susie made sure he got adaptive equipment for his apartment; and Mary Ann made sure she knew of his medical issues and needs. Thank you to housekeeping staff, who washed his clothes and cleaned up after him when it needed to be done. Despite his deafness and his communication issues, Dad always said he got along with everyone. He was a part of a community again. In the year and half he lived at the Kensington, Dad was happy. I tried to see him every day, and when I didn't, I knew he was being looked after. This feeling was of great concern as his health began to fade this year. The long winter of snow and cold forced him indoors and he knew the end was near. It was at the urging of Nurse Marie Barrett that he go into the hospital, when his cold grew worse. Despite all the treatment he received at White Plains Hospital, Dad died peacefully in his sleep on March 12th. It was after his death that I received the attention your caring staff provides to all. They would drop what they were doing to put an arm around my shoulder, give a hug or express how much they loved Dad. My thanks to Greg, Mary Ann, Susie, Tremayne, and Marsha who took the time to visit Dad in the hospital before he died. A special thank you to the Kensington staff members that came to Dad's funeral on March 17th (Celina, Greg, Susie and Mary Ann). It's going to be hard to drive by 100 Maple Avenue without putting on my turn signal. The Kensington felt like it was my home too. I hope to bring some of my boy scouts from Troop 73 to the Kensington from time to time to meet their community service hours. The boys have enjoyed giving their time to the Kensington residents. In closing, let me once again say thank you to the entire staff of the Kensington who made my father feel at home during his time there. Thank you for having a tree planted in his memory, in his home state of Illinois. He would have felt honored by your kindness. more

My in-laws have been here at the Kensington for the better part of two years. As anyone with both parents living well knows, it's hard to find a facility willing to take on a couple, especially when one parent has Alzheimer's and the other does not. The place is usually clean, much of the staff gracious. The medical support staff has proven repeatedly incompetent, and the administration deliberately irresponsible, even when dealing with my parents' outside doctors. Two weeks ago my mother had knee surgery from a fall in her room...and today we learned that because the aides ignored the MDs instructions for her follow up care, she will need to have that same surgery all over again. Although my parents are on the highest level of care (or at least we are charged such), they are repeatedly neglected. My mom has fallen several times only to be not found for hours on end. Two months ago her attendant was fired for coercing my mother to lend her money, despite that aides plea that my mom not report it (it was us, not my mom who reported it). Background checks? We're trapped, and the administration will treat your loved ones with the same neglect. RESPONSE FROM The Kensington: Dear Robert, We value the feedback from yourself as well as your wife Joanna and we are sorry that you are dissatisfied with The Kensington. We take the responsibility of caring for our residents very seriously. We have met several times with your sister-in-law, who is your parents primary contact, to ensure that your mother-in-laws care needs are met upon her return from the hospital and beyond. I encourage you to contact me directly to discuss your concerns. Please feel free to call me at 914-220-4247. I look forward to speaking with you. Celina Watson- Executive Director more

My mother has been with The Kensington since November. Admissions-wise, they made getting my mom transferred from Florida to New York was very comfortable and simple for both my mom and me. My mom really loves it there. She feels like they're part of her family There are some personnel changes that have created issues with the day in, day out living with them. But they have been very good about handling my issues. Once I bring an issue to their attention, it normally gets resolved very quickly. We've been with four facilities previously, and The Kensington is by far the best experience we've had. They treat us like we're family! more

My mom is in the fourth floor Alzheimer's unit at The Kensington. The staff coverage is good, in terms of the number of people available. The people seem very attentive and caring, and my mom is happy. more

My uncle, at age 88, moved into The Kensington in late July of this year. The move came after spending two years in another assisted living home. The staff, the facility itself and the service provided at The Kensington are all excellent. Unfortunately after he was there a month he had a minor stroke. They were able to step up and provide him with nursing home care, which was a real comfort to him and his family. The involvement of the staff and the communication with the family is excellent. more

The Kensington is wonderful. I looked at other places and the difference is that the Kensington feels more like a house and not an institution. It makes a person feel more at home. The physical set up and the way it's decorated is warm and inviting. The staff is professional and caring. I feel that my mother is in a place that's happy and where she's well care for. As an only child, I don't have anxiety over her being there. She came at age 92 and is not 93 and is not in the Alzheimer's unit. She's had wonderful experiences going to New York City and the theater. Compared to other places, I don't think there's a better place in the south Westchester area for someone to feel secure with their loved one in. Carolyn Gaumer more

The Kensington is the third home my mother has been in. It's different than the others I've experienced, especially in terms of the help. The help they have are all great. They're friendly and just completely different than what I've experienced in the past. That was impressive to me: the way their employees handle themselves. The administration has also been great. I've had no problems with them when in the past I've had nothing but problems. I'm the one who takes care of my mother, so I've had to handle everything in terms of finding her care. The place is clean as can be. It's beautiful and well-maintained. I've already recommended them. I don't know if anybody has followed through, but I've told any friends who have with parents with issues that after all of my experiences, I've found that The Kensington really is one of the best places. more

I really appreciate the amount of care that the caregivers at The Kensington give and their professionalism. All of the staff members have a certain level of professionalism. The way they carry themselves is excellent. The activity director is also great. We feel safe with her. I'm very happy with their service. They do everything they can to keep me informed about everything that's going on. I'm very happy and comfortable and I don't have to worry about my mother at all. She's been there for almost two years. The most import thing is making sure your family member is feeling comfortable and safe. That's exactly what my mother gets at The Kensington. She is no longer anxious; she feels that it's a home to her. more

My husband is mid-stage Alzheimers and they take very good care of him at the Kensington. At the same time, they do exercises for his body and mind. I think it is a well-rounded, well thought-out program. My husband has been there for thirteen months. You should compare the Kensington with other facilities in the area and once you do you'll realize that they are superior to all of them. more

The Kensington is truly unlike any other senior facility. My mother was in one assisted living establishment for 7 years. We transferred her to The Kensington for the last two years of her life, and it was such an experience. First of all, I couldn't say enough good things about the medical care there. The overseers were excellent, the activities provided were fantastic, and my mother's dementia improved while she was there. They offer such progressive care. It is an intelligently run place - the most intelligent I've come across in a decade - and a model for every other institution out there. I tell this to the owners all the time! Their staff is respectful and kind, actually letting the elderly be adults. They ENGAGE them. They encourage them to retain their independent thinking, instead of just sitting around watching TV in a depressed state. There was none of that. The Kensington's staff members give the elderly the dignity they deserve, and this is demonstrated on a consistent level. My mom went in just one month after the facility opened. I thought since they were new, they would slip. I was wrong, and they have sustained their level of excellence. The Kensington is just incredible. more

I have so many positive things to say about The Kensington. My mom is 91 now, but went in at the age of 89. She had previously been living in a different assisted living community since the death of my dad. She has a lot of needs stemming from both physical and mental health issues, the worst being depression. They have just been extraordinary with her at The Kensington. I am a social worker specializing in elder care myself, and can say with full appreciation and confidence that everything here has worked out to the satisfaction of myself and my mother, whom I obviously care about deeply. When challenges have arisen, I've worked with Celina, the executive director, Susie, the social worker, and Mary Anne, the head of nursing. They are all so attentive, responsive, and proactive when there are things that should be changed. I am excited to get to know the newer member of the team, Greg, as he has already been sure to reach out to me to establish a good connection. They have a team approach that I very much appreciate, especially as a professional in the field myself. The executive leadership that starts with Celina is just tremendous and so responsive. I can't give enough recognition to any of these people, nor can I forget to mention the chef and the transportation director there. When you age in place, nothing is really static. There are ups and downs, and at The Kensington, I know that my mother and I will always have the chance to deal with these shifts. I feel I am in an alliance with Celina, Susie, and Mary Anne especially as we work to have my mother's best interest in mind. more

The Kensington is great health care residence. The people there are wonderful and were consistent with our loved one. The people who dealt with my mom, over a year ago, are still with the company so I think that says a lot about the business and their customer service. more

My mother is in the memory care aspect of The Kensington and it is hers and our first experience with assisted living. It has been a complete relief in that they are very loving. From the staff to the people who clean the floors to management, they are all kind and that is the kind of environment I want my mother in. I think my mother is thriving there and I would recommend them to anyone. more

The Kenningston community is wonderful. My father has been a resident for 1 year and my family and I are very happy with the love and care my father receives. It was a very hard decision to make having to put my father in a assisted living facility but do to his dementia it was necessary. After I left my first meeting I knew this was the right place for him. Every resident is bathed, shaved(men), dressed, and the female residents even have makeup if wanted. Alicia is my fathers primary care provider and she is very understanding of all my fathers needs. We are very lucky to have her. John is fantastic with all the residents making them feel loved and cared for. Donna provides them with so many activities thru the day. There is always something going on cooking, trivia, bowling, horse racing, the news, movies, live music, etc . There are not enough words to say how wonderful the entire Kenningston Community is. more