(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Woodcrest Rehabilitation & Residential Health Care Center overlooks Flushing Bay. Seagulls often perch atop the facility's outdoor air conditioning units. Like a giant bird, the white canopy spreads its wings in front of the large white brick building. Double sliding doors reveal a pleasing lobby with gold and brown upholstered chairs and a coordinating linoleum floor. The Korean symbols for "friendship" and "fortune" are mounted on the walls. Soothing earthtones envelop a large and well-loved sitting room, outfitted with lots of comfy couches and chairs. We noticed a staff member doling out cigarettes to residents; a smoking schedule appeases those who choose to light up. Rows of chairs were set up in the main activity room for the weekly Wednesday afternoon entertainment. Residents gathered to listen to a gentleman play guitar and sing Sinatra songs. The upbeat staff seemed to enjoy the concert as much as the residents! Two female residents awaiting the start of the show happily informed us that they had been living at Woodcrest for six and eight years, respectively, and were best friends. Another resident was kind enough to make copies of some poems she had written, after noticing how delighted we were to read them. The halls are squeaky clean and bright. Most of the bedrooms are an average size; residents spruce up their individual areas with photos and other personal treasures. Many rooms have windows facing the water and LaGuardia airport, the noise of which is thankfully stifled by good soundproofing. Green plants deck the nursing stations. Each floor has a combined activity and dining room. The menu is glatt kosher. The petite outdoor patio is furnished and features lovely views of the bay. Summer barbecues and parties are held here. Patients plant miniature gardens in the flower boxes along the backyard fence. Residents in the dementia unit are exposed to more activities than those in other units. The offerings range from current events discussions to viewing old movies. Certified nursing assistants check on residents hourly. Residents have access to bed and chair alarms. While the stairs here are secure, the elevators are not. This center seems to have a very active therapy department; we observed several therapists working with the residents on equipment. Woodcrest also has the capabilities to house bariatric patients.