COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. — The United States has 15,600 nursing homes with 1.7 million beds. Among the vast considerations, how do families select places for themselves or their loved ones? With public service at the core, U.S. News and World Report began the Best Nursing Homes list in 2009 to help people identify the best nursing homes.
United Methodist Communities at Collingswood made the 2016 list, assuring and guiding consumers in finding quality care. Located in Collingswood, New Jersey, with approximately 163 residents of all faith backgrounds, it offers Assisted Living, Long Term Care, Rehabilitation, Respite, and Hospice. Overall, it received 4.9 stars, a compilation of ratings in three unique areas: Health Inspections, Nurse Staffing, and Medical Care Quality Measures.
Of note, the senior retirement community garnered 4.7 stars in Nurse Staffing, which includes not only registered nurses, but also, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses and certified nurse aides and assistants. This important rating considers the amount of time per day patients receive from the nursing staff and the number of hours they worked (excluding temporary staff and physical therapists).
Collingswood earned 4.6 stars in Medical Care Quality Measures. This is based on 16 indicators for long-stay and 9 for short-stay Medicare and Medicaid residents. Considered the most valid and reliable data from three calendar quarters, they include health conditions, fall prevention measures, pain management, vaccinations, bedsores, and mobility.
James Clancy, executive director reflected, “I am very proud of the work done every day by our amazing Collingswood healthcare team. Results like this are a product of hard work and a sincere caring for the work that they do for all of our residents.”
Regarding methodology, the U.S. News overall star rating is an average of a series of monthly overall ratings by the federal Nursing Home Compare program. U.S. News’ ratings of health inspection findings, nursing staffing and medical quality measures are similarly averaged from federal data released in October 2016. Because U.S. News evaluates nursing homes over a longer period than the federal program and makes certain modifications, ratings by U.S. News and Nursing Home Compare may differ.
The data behind Best Nursing Homes comes from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which sets and enforces standards for nursing homes enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, as almost all are. U.S. News reports that they have, “collected meaningful data and ratings on nearly every nursing home in the country and built a search tool designed to highlight the facilities that both match up with a family’s priorities and carry good ratings besides.”
With guidance from the U.S. News and World Report Best Nursing Homes list, you and your loved ones can benefit by making the best possible decision.