Nursing homes have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, evolving from primarily long-term care facilities for the elderly to increasingly clinical environments addressing medical complexities.

Today’s nursing homes are handling a wide range of medical, psychological and social needs, resembling mini hospitals in many ways. As the Chief Nursing Officer of Centers Health Care, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable evolution of patient care within our system. This trend has pushed us to enhance our clinical capabilities and staff expertise to meet these demanding care needs of the seniors we serve throughout our 45 facilities. 

Just as impactful, the demographics of nursing home residents have shifted dramatically in recent years, necessitating specialized care. As a dedicated post-acute healthcare partner, Centers Health Care often manages complex cases that others may find challenging.

We are now caring for individuals with a diverse array of health conditions, from chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to Substance Abuse Disorder. Moreover, the acuity level of residents has risen, meaning that we are caring for patients with more severe and multifaceted health issues than ever before.

One of the most significant complexities we handle is the management of chronic illnesses. Many of our residents live with multiple chronic conditions that require ongoing, coordinated care. For instance, a resident with diabetes may also suffer from hypertension and kidney disease. This necessitates a multidisciplinary approach involving dieticians, physical therapists, and various specialists across more than 17 specialty programs to create and implement comprehensive care plans.

Caring for residents with dementia and other mental health conditions presents another layer of complexity. These conditions not only require medical management but also necessitate a compassionate understanding of the behavioral and emotional needs of each resident.

Our caring and compassionate staff undergoes specialized training to handle the unique challenges associated with dementia care and work in concert to map out every minute of our residents’ day. Diet, physical health, emotional health, social interaction, therapy and housekeeping are all meticulously planned by our exceptional team of doctors and caregivers to ensure that residents receive respectful and effective support.

In response to this increasing complexity of patient care, we have adopted a more personalized approach to care planning. For example, we utilize a collaborative process between the resident and their healthcare provider that considers their unique needs, preferences and goals. A personalized care plan enables the resident to be more proactive and preventative while allowing choices and control over their healthcare delivery. These plans are continuously reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes in the resident’s condition, ensuring that we always provide the highest standard of care.

One former patient arrived at our Glens Falls Center following a traumatic car accident. Our GO Rehab Program provided hi with comprehensive care, addressing both physical injuries and emotional trauma. Thanks to the combined efforts of our medical and social work teams, he made rapid progress in his recovery, eventually returning home to his family.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to adapting and evolving to meet the growing complexities of patient care. We understand that the needs of our residents will continue to change, and we are prepared to rise to the challenge. Using a personalized and collaborative approach, we are well-equipped to provide exceptional care to our residents.

Our dedication and compassionate, high-quality care remain unwavering, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this essential and ever-evolving field.

Heidi Hendrix, RN, is Centers Health Care’s Chief Nursing Officer. Hendrix is a post-acute clinical director with more than 25 years of experience in long-term care nursing.

The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News guest submissions are the author’s and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News or its editors.

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