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Catholic nursing homes rank among best in state |
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Written by ANGELA KESSLER, Chronicle Editor
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Friday, 01 February 2008 |
Two Catholic nursing homes in the Diocese of Toledo are among the top 25 facilities in the state, according to the 2007 Nursing Home Resident Satisfaction Survey commissioned by the Ohio Department of Aging.
Sacred Heart Home, a facility run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Oregon was ranked number 12 in the state while the Ursuline Center in Toledo came in 16th in a pool of 955 participating facilities.
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| Little Sister of the Poor Lourdes Marie Miranda poses with Sacred Heart Home resident Eleanora Gillman, who recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. Sacred Heart Home and the Ursuline Center were both ranked in the top 25 nursing homes in the state of Ohio in a survey of residents commissioned by the Ohio Department of Aging. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Home) |
“The sisters offer the residents a home in which they can feel a sense of respect, safety and love as they journey toward eternal life,” says Carolyn Matthews, director of development at Sacred Heart Home. The sisters want to create a family-like environment for the residents while caring for the whole person — physical, emotional and social, she adds.
Little Sister of the Poor Alphonse Marie Jones, administrator at Sacred Heart Home, attributes resident satisfaction to a variety of features at the home. She believes the presence of the sisters, daily Mass and other meaningful activities, events and programs help make it a satisfying residence. In addition, she says, the continuum of care from independent care to assisted living to nursing care helps residents know they will be taken care of as they age and their circumstances change.
“Residents know that this is their home and they will be taken care of continuously as they age and their circumstances change,” Sr. Jones says.
Likewise, it is the home-like atmosphere at the Ursuline Center that administrator Doug Hauer attributes to the Toledo home’s success.
“This is their home and we are their family,” Mr. Hauer says, explaining that everyone on the staff helps each other. “It’s a whole different atmosphere and way we do things.”
The Ursuline Center serves only sisters and priests. He believes the number of volunteers that serve at the Ursuline Center also contributes to the quality of care.
“They [residents] took care of people and now we take care of them,” Mr. Hauer says.
The survey was conducted between July and December 2007 by face-to-face interviews, according to the Department of Aging. Residents were asked their satisfaction with environment, activities, administration, choices, direct care/nursing assistants, laundry, meals and dining, social services, therapy, laundry and general satisfaction.
The average score statewide was 86.2 of a possible 100. Sacred Heart Home scored 96.1 while the Ursuline Center scored 95.9.
Researchers identified two key questions: “Overall, do you like this facility?” and “Would you recommend this facility to a family member or friend?” Twenty-five facilities received a score of 100 on both questions. Among those in the Diocese of Toledo were the Elizabeth Scott Community in Maumee, Sacred Heart Home and St. Rita’s Transitional Care Unit in Lima.
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