My experience as a patient at Fairview--February-March 2013. Few if any of us aspire to be at a nursing home or rehabilitation facility. However I needed one for recovery from a recent hip replacement and before hand visited several in other towns only to discover that Fairview is a ``gem`` of a facility in Groton. Foremost it is one of only about thirty such facilities in the whole country which Medicare has given its hard to get Five-Star rating across all categories--a real affirmation of quality! Importantly I found the nurses, aides and doctors to be truly interested and caring for the patients like me. Though clearly an institution, Fairview seems to strive for a homier atmosphere. Rooms have nice wall coverings of different designs (not just paint), curtains, variations of furnishings on beautiful wooden floors. Hallways are carpeted and spacious with walls peppered with art work ranging from florals, landscapes, old world and tropical scenes, and sailboats as well as a sprinkling of art objects and antiques. High on a hill over looking the Thames River, Gold Star Bridge, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Connecticut College most of Fairview's rooms have water views. Some have called it a million dollar view. Fairview has many places where patients can retreat from their rooms. They include lounges, a solarium overlooking the river with sailboats and a variety of power boats including an occasional submarine passing on the river below, a nicely appointed library, an auditorium for gatherings and events, and a quality professionally run white table cloth restaurant, the Bistro. It is open to both patients/residents and the public--the only one of its kind in such a facility. In warm weather the Bistro also offers outdoor dining on its patio. In addition patients/residents can also retreat to outside ground level patios, courtyards, and gardens overlooking the Thames River. The Rehab Gym is nicely equipped with excellent staff. Overlooking the water the gym is reminiscent of being in the exercise room in the bow of a cruise ship. All of us would of course prefer to be home but when extra health care services are needed for you or your loved ones Fairview deserves your serious consideration. Note: Fairview was founded in 1892 as an Odd Fellows home and has evolved into a complex with apartments for the elderly, nursing home and rehabilitation facilities. It is the region's only not for profit elder care facility.From the people in the kitchen (how can I forget Regina and Cecilia), to the maintenance workers (hey, Dave), to the housekeepers, to the Recreation department, to the aides (Joanne Smith and Maguerita were saints among many!), and of course, the nurses (so many, I'm afraid to start naming them, lest I forget someone; although Helen DeCiantis was very special to my mother), Deb Morgan, who as someone in her position was so approachable, so patient, and so caring, I could go on. Not only was my mother treated like family, so was I. Day to day, there were many caring people that worked at Fairview that didn't treat what they did as ``just a job.`` And in her last hours, in addition to the exceptional care my mother received, the love shown to my mother was heartwarming and extraordinary. I cannot express what that means to me. I will be forever grateful to the many people who cared for my mother. Thank you to all at Fairview.