The Dorchester and Manor Independent Senior Living

Jerry

I toured The Dorchester Independent Senior Living. Their prices were better than the other place I visited, and their rooms were larger. I didn't see much staff. They have more amenities that would help seniors such as walking areas and an exercise room. It didn't have as many activities but they had different rooms for different activities, so there are different options. It was a nice place, it looked well maintained and the staff in the dining area appeared to be friendly and helpful.

Jenny

I'm on the waiting list for The Dorchester Independent Senior Living. I like it because it's a little bit older. It's just a homier feeling than some of the modern places. It has trees and it has a green area in the middle of the four quadrangle apartments. The people are very nice. The space is almost the size of my house. You don't have to buy a meal plan, but they have meal plans, or in your unit, you have a kitchen. Everybody I've met there was just nice. They have activities for about seven hours a day, with different things going on. But they have from, exercise classes, to art classes, to creative writing classes. They have twelve big events a year, one every month. They have bible studies and church and a little bit of everything.

Provider Response

Cyndi

The Dorchester Independent Senior Living was probably one of the most affordable places that we could find for my dad. It's an independent living and I think everything was very clean, they had a lot of activities for the seniors that they could participate in if they wanted to, and they had 24/7 front-desk supervision. Jennifer is the new placement coordinator there, and she was very friendly and helpful. The facility is just very well maintained and they had a nice area to eat outside that's like a patio garden. They also have a small workout room and a small library room. Nothing super over-the-top or luxurious but adequate.

Provider Response

Martha

The Dorchester Independent Senior Living is in a great location. It looked like it had really nice amenities, and it looked very well maintained. It's for independent seniors. The staff who assisted me was very nice and very courteous. The facility was very nice and clean. The property was very nice and very well maintained. It's in an excellent location of the city. It's easy to get to. They had a meal plan, washers and dryers, a beauty shop, and transportation services available.

Provider Response

Glenda D

The Dorchester is a vey nice place to live. the staff is helpful and courteous. If there is a problem, once they are notified it is taken care of. The property is well maintained with seasonal flowers blooming. The apartments are small but well laid out. Before Covid there was many activities, once restrictions are lifted Things will return to normal. I feel safe here and have never had a problem with privacy. I have lived here for 4 years and plan on many more. I highly recommend the Dorchester/Manor.

D.A.P.

I have lived here less than 3 years and can’t wait for my lease to be up. Management has changed 4 times in that length of time and no one knows what they are doing. The other residents are great, but the management is the worst!

Jeannette

I loved The Dorchester. I would've moved over there myself. The staff was very informative. It was an awesome experience. I visited the independent living facility, but they had a facility where you can have some assistance. It was well manicured, and the grounds were very nice. We went into the cafeteria and we sat there until my friend finished eating, and she got to meet people and talk to them. They had a little store where you can go if you need something. They had a lot of activities, exercise, and they take them out to grocery shop. It's really nice. The staff was wonderful. I didn't get to taste the food, but it looked very good. They showed us what they had for lunch and what type of sandwiches they had that day and everything looked good and fresh.

alsmith

i currently live here and wish i did not. i loved it at first but management has fired all employees who care and brought in new managers who do not care and should not be working with seniors i am not a lone in my feelings everyone that lives here is now miserable and our requests to speak to the corporate office go unanswered my daughter is looking for a new place for me after six years

Longtimer

This place is independent living and is very clean. Everyone has to clean their own apartments which is a part of independent living or hiring someone to help. The facilities from hallways, carpets, elevators are always clean. I have found the staff to be efficient. My family member has lived there over 10 years and it is very safe. The only thing that bothers me is the pets. I have seen one urinating in the hallways and unnoticed by the owner (this is not a common occurrence). That would be my only concern would be more oversight on those who have pets.

Ann

We were very impressed with The Dorchester. The cost was way better than the others. The staff was very friendly, open, and very much informed about their place. They were patient when we had a lot of questions to ask, and there wasn't anything that was glossed over. The options were inviting. The meal plan, for one thing, was "you can, you don't have to" and that was very appealing to us. The place looked very well-kept.

AD

I am really not happy here at The Dorchester. The apartment is wonderful. The only problem is they feel like they're able to walk in the apartment anytime they want to and you have no privacy, but I might have solved it because I brought an attorney in. I was in the bathroom at 12:30 in the morning and next thing I know I had the receptionist and my next door neighbor in my apartment in my bathroom. The neighbor said she heard some banging on the wall, but I was not, I was watching a movie. I've also had medications stolen from me by a maintenance man. I made a police report and that's all documented. There are lots of amenities. There's a dining room, which I like the best, and it's not mandatory. It's not built into your monthly rent program. They have card games, Bingo, weight rooms, computer rooms, and different events going on. It's a very nice place to be. The only problem I have is privacy. The staff is wonderful except for the graveyard shift people. There's been more than one occasion where somebody on the graveyard shift has come into my apartment uninvited. I had a meeting with the general manager and he seemed to understand my concerns. This is a beautiful facility, it has a lot of amenities, it has a great activities director, and the staff is wonderful. I can only say good things about them compared to other places that are double the amount of rent.

Kim104457

The Dorchester was extremely nice. They have 24/7 staff at the front desk, so you feel very safe. The food was wonderful and restaurant-style. The problem with them is that they have a two-year waiting list, and everybody would like to get in there. They had a beauty shop and a hairdresser on-site, a computer room, and something like a business area for residents. They had transportation, different types of activities, different types of meal plans, and different types of settings, so you could go to a restaurant or to a café. They also had a fitness room.

Daughter-in-law9

My parents-in-law are doing fine at the Dorchester. It’s independent-living. So, people come, and go as they please. They can hire someone to come in, and do household chores as long the Dorchester doesn’t get involved in their independent-living situation. But if they had someone else taking care of them, that’s OK. They do have a dining room, but she usually cooks their own food. It seems pretty adequate for their needs. They seem to offer clubs and outings. It’s up to the individual whether they want to participate or not. It’s a reasonably priced place.

Patti23

My mom is in the Dorchester. It is not dirty, but it can be cleaner. It is friendly and nice. It has an active atmosphere. She has a two-bedroom that has living room and full kitchen. She has two bathrooms; one of them is a walk-in shower, and the other one's a tub, which are both great. The activities are good. They have cards and bingo. I have not eaten there, and my mother doesn't seems to be too interested in the food.

Tammy18

The Dorchester is the closest facility to my brother. I don't think this facility is the best. They just provide three meals a day but not on weekends. As for scheduled activities, they have arts and crafts and things like that. I would probably give them 3 stars on cleanliness. They don't clean the rooms. They don't have a paid service there. My parents have to clean their own room. Things that my parents can't do like scrubbing the bathtub I have to go there and do that for them. They are probably a mile away from the nearest hospital, and they are very close to a grocery store and a pharmacy. I think that they need more activities for the residents. I think they need to improve the cleanliness of the place.

Caring7555

I think The Dorchester was a very nice facility, and it’s really clean. The personnel were extremely friendly, very cooperative, and the staff answers all our questions.

Caring92934450

The Dorchester is a very active retirement community. They have a bus service that takes them shopping. They have movie night two to three times a week. They play Bingo. They have exercises Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They have two libraries and an art center. There are computers where they have computer classes. They have events. We had a luau this summer and there's a cookout where they're going to be serving hot dogs and stuff. It's out in the yard, so there are different recreational things that they offer. They have church service every other Sunday. They have choir practice for those that want to join the choir. They have a doctor that comes every Friday to visit and take care of them. They have a huge great room where they have all the different activities. It's a good-sized community for people. Her apartment is about 700 sq.ft. She has a one-bedroom unit with a kitchen, a full size refrigerator, and a full-size range. Electricity and water are included and she pays $700 or $800. They have a restaurant onsite and if they want to eat there, they have to make reservations and they are charged accordingly. Other than that, they cook their own meals. Those who can afford it will just go every night, but it's just dinner. They don't serve breakfast. Lunch is just soup and a sandwich.

Caring79883250

Dorchester was nice. Probably not the fanciest place, but it's really reasonable based upon the rate, and I like the location. They have transportation, activities, like exercise and card games. The rooms are adequate, but the kitchen is small. Mom tried the food and she rated it as fair. To be honest, we had a problem. It was told to us in the beginning, and we didn't have this in writing in the lease, that if my mom didn't like the place that we would be given our money back. They didn't do that.

Karen66111450

My mother-in-law is living at The Dorchester in Pineville. Since a new company has come in to take over the services, she seems to be more comfortable and she is more relaxed with them. The whole problem was she didn't want anybody around but they've won her over. We're doing good right now. The building is in great shape. We researched the area and went to many retirement communities and found that this was probably the most relaxing, best-kept apartments. It's very secure there, too. They do have a very nice dining room and she is pleased with the food. There are a lot of card games and other activities that she can do right inside the building. There is even physical therapy there.

Caring69196750

The Dorchester is in a great location. They did have a bus that can take you to places where you need to go but you have to pay a fee. Regarding activities, they did have swimming classes. They have a recreational room for their residents. With regards to your laundry needs, you can either take your laundry to one of their laundry facilities or you can pay a certain fee, extra each month, and you can use the washer-dryer in your room. I thought their rooms were of nice size and look comfortable. They also have a nice dining room. However, in this place, you have to pay for each individual meal.

Mae1

I find so much peace at the Dorchester and love feeling a part of one big family. I am busy everyday but one during the week and that day I go to Physical Therapy that is right down the hall from my apartment. Everything is so convenient for me.

Elena2

I have been living at The Dorchester for nine years and love it. There is something here for everyone from exercise to trips. The staff is very friendly and understanding.” Would not think of living anywhere else.

Joan20

I like everything about the Dorchester. Friendly people, fantastic meals in the Magnolia Dining Room and lots to keep me busy. The big events are great. We can listen to music and dance which I enjoy greatly.

Sarah17

Making friends has been so easy for me at the Dorchester. Everyone looks out for each other and tries to make sure you are invited to all the activities. There is so much to keep me busy some days it is hard to make up my mind where I want to go. I love my new apartment!

Bob32

We visited The Dorchester for my mother and it was a totally different kind of facility. It was much more spread out and it would have been a lot longer walk for my mother. It would have been different for her. However, the rooms were bigger and the halls were bigger. The staff were all fine too.