8 Best Independent Living Communities in Northwood, NH

I honestly can not understand why someone would say that they walked in Harmony Homes By the Bay and thought it was dark and dirty. The opposite is true. After experience with countless nursing/assisted living facilities, I chose for mom to live here, both of us could not be happier! It’s bright, friendly, new, clean and has beautiful bay views from the community rooms. Harmony Homes By the Bay is a well thought out architectural gem that well represents the four seasons in Such a charming way. Resident rooms & community/dining areas are arranged around a wide, well lit walk way & central courtyard. It’s a big loop making it tough for people with compromised memory to get hopelessly lost. Nursing stations are hidden, easing stress on residents. I visit most every evening and help my mother prepare for bed. I know most of the residents and can say that as a whole they are happy. Lots of activities but plenty of independence if people wish it. My daughter volunteers to host karaoke night twice monthly and everyone loves it. Mom (92) has a wonderful group of friends. They call their rooms ‘their apartment’, which is what it is to them. Like anywhere, what these people want first and foremost is frequent communion with their loved ones. Like anywhere, people decline without that love. Like anywhere, staff may come and go, people may call out, temporarily disrupting the rhythm of care. But here at Harmony Homes by the Bay even the residents who rarely get visitors, seem to me, a little happier and consider the staff and fellow residents closer to ‘family’ than I have personally witnessed in other facilities.

My mother stayed at this home for a few months prior to her death. The staff here treated her as their own mother with love and tenderness. Make no mistake they know their jobs and do them well but the human touch is never forgotten. I highly recommend the place!

I have been a resident of Birch Hill for almost two years. During this time BH has undergone many changes and renovations. For some who have been here for years, it has been a challenge. The changes greatly improved new units and common areas (dining area, all purpose room and fitness area and hallways). The dining is outstanding. We have a new (excellent) fitness program that offers programs for multiple levels of ability. There are many ways that they make daily living as easy as possible. The staff here is amazing. They are friendly and very accommodating. The residents are also very friendly. Moving to Birch Hill was a great decision for me.