Choosing a skilled nursing facility can come with a lot of questions. Which ones will tell you the most about the skilled nursing home you are considering for your loved one? We’ve outlined 5 essential questions to help in your search finding one that suits you or your loved one best.
What are your inspection ratings or what star rating is your skilled nursing facility?
Inspection ratings for skilled nursing homes are very important. They show you where that facility stands in terms of specific data that is important to the quality of care that your loved one will receive. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has helped families and caregivers decide which facilities to consider by creating the 5-star Quality Rating System. Facilities with above average quality receive 5-star ratings, whereas below average quality facilities receive 1-star ratings. These ratings address 3 areas: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center has been recognized with a Five-Star rating from CMS for quality care. In addition, GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center ranked in the top 1% in the entire nation in the CMS “Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program”. This ranks over 15,000 facilities in the US based on quality of care and hospitalization data. GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center is on Newsweek and US News & World Report’s list of America’s Best Nursing Homes 2020.
What kind of activities are available for my loved one?
Keeping residents in a skilled nursing home active is extremely beneficial to their health. Activities give residents structure to their day and, in turn, improves their overall quality of life. Physical activity for seniors aids in deterring a number of health issues including cardiovascular problems, cancers, diabetes, and obesity, in addition to helping maintain independence longer. Mentally-focused activities significantly reduce cognitive deterioration and improve memory and reasoning, while staving off Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Social activities are also important to skilled nursing home residents, as interaction with others reduces risk of depression and loneliness.
Activities at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center are not mandatory. However, our skilled nursing facility has a mixture of all three forms of activities that are important to a resident’s wellbeing. Physical activity in general may be difficult for some skilled nursing home residents. GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center offers programs crafted to fit their abilities, including daily stretching, Zumba, and other exercise classes while sitting in a chair.
Our skilled nursing facility has several activities that benefit a resident’s mental health. These may incorporate things such as trivia, “Name that Tune”, crossword puzzles and word-searches. Social activities can range from a morning chat with an employee to pet therapy (certified gentle dogs visit with the residents), movie nights, and church services and bible studies.
Is there an RN available at all times in your skilled nursing facility?
Having access to a Registered Nurse is an important feature to consider while deciding upon a skilled nursing home. It is especially crucial to know that one is available at all times of the day or night, 24/7, for your loved one, in order to respond to any unexpected needs that may occur.
At GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center, there is an RN available at all times. They assure the safety, security, and wellbeing of our residents.
What training does your staff have in order to deal with my loved one who has dementia?
Make sure to get information on the training of the staff at a skilled nursing home. This will provide you with insight into what each employee has learned and in what specific areas they are well-versed. Programs will teach staff members ways to better communicate with residents, especially with Alzheimer’s disease, such as:
- Using simple words
- Using short sentences
- Having a calm tone of voice
- Minimizing distractions such as TV or radio in the background
- Giving the resident time to respond or if they are having trouble communicating
- Helping them finish a sentence
Staff at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center attend in-services or training from places like The Alzheimer’s Association. These trainings teach how to care for someone that suffers from diseases such as Alzheimer’s. What these programs teach our skilled nursing staff goes a long way. Having a staff that knows how to speak and listen to someone with Alzheimer’s will significantly help with their behaviors.
How do you determine an individualized care plan for my loved one?
Care plans are health assessments that are carefully crafted, individualized strategies for how skilled nursing home staff members will assist each resident. Information provided from doctors, hospitals and, in many cases, the family members themselves determines the care plan. Care plans take care of each resident so they can ultimately meet their personal goals.
GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center begins each resident’s care plan the day they are admitted. It is important that every staff member in the building knows the individualized care that the resident needs. Our care plans are made so that a caregiver or loved one is able to understand the care plan throughout that resident’s entire stay. It will review the kind of personal and health services that resident will need, what kind of diet is needed, what kind of staff needs to care for the resident, and even the equipment they use throughout their stay.
If you have some of your own questions we did not cover or would like more information on GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center skilled nursing care, contact our Admissions department at (716) 684-3000.
About The GreenFields Continuing Care Community
The GreenFields Continuing Care Community provides for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of residents in a Christian environment. In addition to skilled nursing, subacute rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center, The GreenFields offers a variety of living arrangements and support levels based on individual needs. This includes independent living apartments in GreenField Manor; assisted living apartments in GreenField Court; and memory care and enhanced assisted living in GreenField Terrace. Residents at The GreenFields also receive priority access to all other levels on The GreenFields campus.
