ROCHESTER, N.Y. – For months I’ve investigated some of the worst nursing home conditions in the state. Now, I’m showing you the best so that you know what to look for. Newsweek has named the best large, mid-sized and small nursing homes in the country by state.
Several facilities in the Rochester area made New York State’s top ten lists. The Jewish Home in Rochester was named the best large nursing home in New York. The Friendly Home, also in Rochester, came in 6th place. In the mid-sized category, Aaron Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing came in 2nd place, and Edna Tina Wilson Living Center took the 5th spot, and Wegman Family Cottages at Park Ridge Nursing Center was named 7th. The Maplewood in Webster was listed as 2nd in the state in the small facility category.
I toured the Edna Tina Wilson Living Center to show viewers what to look for in an exceptional facility.
I watched a music therapy session with 98-year-old Phyllis Oakley. And while dementia has stolen so much, it could not rob her of her faith.
“I want to sing sacred songs because I’m a Christian,” Phyllis told her music therapist. Then unprompted she began singing “I must have the Savior with me,” a hymn written in 1884 that seemed especially profound for Phyllis in this stage of life.
“Music is a piece that makes people feel fulfilled. It brings back memories like perhaps nothing else can,” said Sarah Halifax Bateman, administrator of Edna Tina Wilson Living Center.
And that’s why music therapy is just part of the whole patient approach at Edna Tina Wilson. The physical and emotional needs are met in equal measure.
Alice Knittel is quick to tell me she’s not 91; she’s 91 and a half.
“I definitely keep my mind busy by doing exercises and all the programs that they have,” Alice said. “I’ve been in a fashion show.”
Deanna Dewberry, News10NBC: “Really?”
Alice Knittel: “They had the red carpet.”
This was Alice during their spring fashion show. The memory makes her giggle like a schoolgirl.
“And I walked down the aisle going ‘you’re my people,’” Alice said with a laugh.
Alice is loving life, and the care the 120 residents get at the facility is part of the reason Edna Tina Wilson was named the 5th best mid-sized nursing home in New York State. So, it must be expensive, right?
“75% of patients in nursing homes are Medicaid patients across the state,” Bateman said.
Deanna Dewberry: “And that’s the case here?”
Sarah Halifax Bateman: “That is the case here.”
Deanna Dewberry: “You all have four stars in staffing which is above average. How are you able to keep staff here?”
Sarah Halifax Bateman: “We have a lot of programs that let staff grow. So, we have CNA programs where people can get their CNA license completely free.”
Edna Tina Wilson Living Center and Park Ridge Living Center are affiliated with Rochester Regional Health. Want your LPN or your RN? The company pays for that too. And happy employees make for happy residents, making a nursing home truly feel like home.
Before placing your loved one in a facility, do your research. Click here to find Medicare’s star ratings for nursing homes. Click here to find inspection reports for New York adult care facilities.
The post Consumer Alert: The best nursing homes in the area according to Newsweek appeared first on WHEC.com.
