Windward Gardens: Comprehensive Review
Windward Gardens, located at 105 Mechanic Street, Camden, ME 04843, is a senior living and healthcare facility operated by Genesis HealthCare. This facility offers multiple levels of care in a suburban setting with views of the Camden Hills.
Windward Gardens sits at 105 Mechanic Street in Camden, ME 04843, a senior living and healthcare community run by Genesis HealthCare. It offers several levels of care in a suburban setting with views of the Camden Hills. One thing to know up front: Medicare currently lists it as a Special Focus Facility, a label reserved for nursing homes with a persistent record of serious quality problems.
How we compiled this profile: this overview is put together from public sources, including Medicare's Care Compare (its ratings, staffing levels, and inspection results), state licensing records, and the facility's own published information. It reflects the most recent data available and is not based on a personal visit. Confirm current pricing, availability, and care details with the facility before making a decision.
At a glance
| Measure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Facility type | Skilled nursing facility (Medicare and Medicaid certified) |
| Operator | Genesis HealthCare |
| Location | 105 Mechanic Street, Camden, ME 04843 |
| Care levels | Skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, transitional care |
| Medicare star ratings | Not displayed (Special Focus Facility) |
| Nurse staffing | About 3.9 hours per resident per day |
| Nursing staff turnover | About 78 percent |
| Assisted living units | 30 |
| Transitional care unit | 12 beds |
| Recent inspections | December 2025 survey: 18 deficiencies; April 2025: 10; April 2026: 2 |
| Abuse icon | Not flagged for abuse |
| Monetary penalties | None listed |
| Payment accepted | Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance |
Types of services offered
Skilled nursing care
As a Medicare and Medicaid certified skilled nursing facility, Windward Gardens provides around-the-clock care. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides deliver about 3.9 hours of nurse staffing per resident each day, above the national benchmark of roughly 3.5 hours. The skilled nursing side covers post-hospital rehabilitation, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite care.
- Post-hospital rehabilitation
- Short-term rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Respite care services
Assisted living
There are 30 assisted living units here for older adults who need a hand with daily activities. Support covers medication management, 24-hour supervision, help with bathing and dressing, and coordination with a resident's healthcare providers.
- Medication management
- 24-hour supervision
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, and transfers
- Coordination with healthcare providers
Memory care
For residents living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, there's a dedicated memory care area. It's secured to keep residents with cognitive changes safe, offers structured activities built around memory loss, and is staffed by people trained in dementia care.
- Security systems for residents with cognitive deficits
- Structured activities for memory-challenged residents
- Specialized training for staff
Transitional care
A 12-bed transitional care unit helps patients recover after hospital stays, surgeries, or acute illnesses and prepare to return home.
Amenities
Beyond the clinical care, day-to-day life here comes with the everyday comforts that make a place feel like home, from where residents sleep to how they pass an afternoon. Here's a look at what Windward Gardens provides.
Accommodations
- Semi-private and limited private room options
- Telephone service in rooms
- Cable television
- Furnished rooms available
Common areas
- Common and lounge areas for visiting with friends and family
- Country kitchen
- Dining room with café and an always-available menu
- Private dining rooms for family gatherings
- Garden and outdoor spaces with walking paths
- Computer with internet access
- Wireless internet throughout the facility
Services
- Beauty salon and barber services
- Housekeeping
- On-site laundry facilities
- Mail and newspaper service
- Pharmacy delivery
- Transportation arrangement
- Emergency alert system
Daily activities
The daily calendar runs to scheduled programs, community-sponsored events, movie nights, arts and crafts, walking-path exercise, social gatherings, and group outings on the shuttle bus. That said, some reviewers felt the activity options were thinner than at comparable facilities.
- Scheduled daily activities program
- Community-sponsored activities
- Movie nights
- Arts and crafts
- Exercise opportunities via walking paths
- Social events
- Group outings using the facility's shuttle bus
Medicare ratings and inspection record
Windward Gardens is currently a Medicare Special Focus Facility. CMS applies this designation to a small number of nursing homes with a persistent record of serious quality problems and inspects them more often than other homes until they improve.
Some reviews mention concerns about limited private room options, with most rooms being shared.
Pricing information
Windward Gardens doesn't publish standard rates we can verify here. What you'll pay for skilled nursing depends on the room type and level of care. Medicare covers qualifying short-term rehabilitation, and Medicaid covers qualifying long-term care. For an actual number, you'll need to call the facility for a current quote.
The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans for skilled nursing care.
Comparison with similar facilities in Camden area
Windward Gardens is a Special Focus Facility, so families comparing it with other area options should pay close attention to its Medicare inspection record.
Quality ratings
Because of its Special Focus Facility status, Medicare.gov Care Compare does not currently display overall, health inspection, staffing, or quality star ratings for Windward Gardens.
- Special Focus Facility status means CMS inspects the home more often than other nursing homes until it shows sustained improvement.
Deficiencies and inspection history
Recent state inspections have found numerous problems. A December 2025 standard survey cited 18 deficiencies, and an April 2025 survey cited 10, while the most recent inspection on record (April 2026) cited 2. Total nursing staff turnover is very high, about 78 percent. Medicare does not currently flag the facility for abuse and lists no monetary penalties in its penalties file.
Value comparison
Windward Gardens is a Special Focus Facility, so families should weigh its location and services carefully against its inspection record and tour in person at different times of day.
- The suburban setting with views of Camden Hills provides an attractive environment
- The facility offers a continuum of care from assisted living to skilled nursing in one location
The nearest alternative nursing facilities are a considerable drive away, in towns such as Belfast, Waterville, and Skowhegan.
Conclusion
Windward Gardens offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living, and memory care in Camden, Maine, in a suburban setting with views of the Camden Hills. Because Medicare currently lists it as a Special Focus Facility with a record of serious quality problems, families should review its inspection history closely and tour in person before deciding.
Reviews are mixed. Some residents and families praise the staff and care quality. Others report concerns about staffing levels and response times.
Before choosing Windward Gardens, schedule a tour, talk with current residents and staff, and assess whether the facility's strengths match your loved one's needs. The Camden location may appeal to families who want their relative nearby while ensuring access to necessary care.
Frequently asked questions
Get matched
Looking for senior care for someone you love?
Tell us what you're considering. We'll share independent matches and pricing directly with you. No phone calls until you ask for one.
- Takes about two minutes to complete.
- Pricing details emailed to you. No phone calls until you ask for one.
- Independent matching. We do not own the communities we list.
Loading the matching form…
Powered by SilverAssist. By submitting this form you agree to our privacy policy.
More from our editors
All articles
Senior Monitoring Systems: A Complete Guide to Keeping an Aging Parent Safe at Home
Senior monitoring systems range from one-button medical alerts to passive motion sensors, cameras, GPS trackers, and caregiver apps. Here is how the main types compare on what they do, what they cost, what Medicare covers, and how to choose the right one without crossing privacy lines.
Normal Blood Oxygen Levels by Age for Seniors: What SpO2 Should Be
A normal blood oxygen level for seniors is 95 to 100 percent, the same as for any healthy adult, and it does not drop by the decade the way some charts claim. Here is what your pulse oximeter number means, when a low reading is an emergency, and why the device can read falsely high.
Cholesterol Levels by Age Chart for Seniors: What's Normal After 60
A desirable total cholesterol is under 200, with LDL under 100 and HDL over 60, and those targets are the same at 70 as they are at 40. Here is what your cholesterol numbers mean, how they really change with age, and when the number actually calls for treatment.
Explore senior living options
Comparing care for yourself or a family member? Browse communities by care type and see what each option typically costs.
- Assisted livingHelp with daily activities, costs, and how to choose a community.
- Independent livingMaintenance-free communities for active older adults.
- Home careIn-home support for seniors aging in place.
- Nursing homesSkilled nursing care and Medicare star ratings.
- Senior apartmentsAge-restricted, budget-friendly rental housing.
- Cost of senior livingCompare typical monthly prices by care type and state.