Bigger is not always Better!
Yesterday I gave a tour of our facilities to a couple who was attempting to locate some short-term rehabilitation for the gentleman’s father. It seems “dad” had been living independently and doing well at age 82 until a recent fall set him back. We came recommended by a patient who was here for 64 days in the spring and returned to her home. These folks indicated they were somewhat surprised at what we were doing here at Elmwood and had assumed we were a traditional “nursing home.” They had no idea that we have a state-of-the-art therapy department and full chairs in our on-site dialysis room. The mother commented that she had actually worked here in High School as a dietary aid and could not believe how nice the new renovation had turned out.
Our facility is not like the chains in that we do not have 150 – 300 beds and a brand new building. What we have is well maintained, newly renovated 1963 building which treats 68 patients and is a fixture in our community. Our biggest asset is our highly experienced, innovative staff who love what they do…and it shows in happy patients who are working their way back and working their way towards home!
Kevin Kirkpatrick is Director of Community Relations at Elmwood Terrace in the Western Suburbs of Chicago