New nursing home is first in years

It’s great that the area is getting a new nursing home. However, the administrator coming from Golden Living (a.k.a. Fredericksburg Nursing Home) is not a plus in my opinion. Golden Living has always been one of the worst in the area-a choice of last resort. It’s not very well maintained (old and ugly) and every time I’ve been in there it smells like urine. Hopefully this new facility will not be run like that facility has been..

As that Administrator I would like to note brandon’s comment and point out that the fredericksburg Nursing Home was a different owner and GoldenLiving began management of the facility in 2007. I would encourage Brandon to visit and volunteer at not just at GoldenLiving but any of the nursing facilities in the community.

I worked at FNH before it was owned by Beverly back in the 70′s when it was much smaller than now. Sometimes big is not better. I’ve been in LTC since 1987 and have only worked at two facilities as a nurse and both were great to be at until they decided to expand in size. A 90 bed facility has it’s advantages definitely.
I’ve also had the occurrence to work with Mr. Lyons in the Administrator capacity and found his approach to be abrasive and rude. That alone would be enough to keep me from applying at this new facility.

I have done both 911 and worked for private ambulance service. Golden Living Center (or Golden Urine Center as us in the 911 field know it) is honestly the worst in the region. Not far behind Heritage Hall in King George. GLC was always extremly cluttered and poorly kept. And like the others have mentioned, unbelievably smelly. Carriage Hill always seemed to be halfway decent and well kept. The only one I could see worse that Golden Living Center was Brooke Nursing Home in Stafford. And TRUST ME, I was not surprised to find out that it now Stafford’s SPCA…go figure

We recently had a terrible experience at Carriage Hill which was reported to the state. The nursing staff gave meds that were not ordered by a doctor or told to the family and set the family member ‘s recovery back by months. The charge nurse on staff had a chip on her shoulder every time I asked about the meds. We didn’t discover the problem until the family member was moved to a small assisted living in the city where he recovered.State discovered the nursing notes which contained the incriminating information. I really don’t believe anything more has been done about changing the stiuation there.

I am in the process of finding a Rehab placement for my Dad. Yesterday I visited a facility in Lake Ridge. Its environment in its entirety was positive. I didn’t get there until late in the day and it was a surprise visit. I have to say I was impressed. I think I’ll stop looking in the Fredericksburg area.

Cheryl, a facility passing a state inspection simply means that the facility has passed the MINIMUM requirements, not that it is an excellent facility. As for us people on the outside, many of us are the ones who PAY your salary. Why would we volunteer in a for profit enterprise? The staff of a nursing facility are supposed to be educated, skilled professionals on top of their game. When my family has had to place loved ones in a nursing home, we’ve spent every cent that loved one had saved, sold their homes to pay for the care, etc. I don’t think it’s too much to expect that a nursing facility provides the best care and accomodations. If you don’t like your job Cheryl, or if those who express concerns about the quality of care upset you so, maybe you should find another line of work. Employees who do like what they do or can’t take criticism don’t perform well-and I know what I’m talking about here, as an HR professional with many years of experience.

BJ,
Is it possible that it is your job to “stir the pot” to make blogs more interesting and dramatic? You were first to post comments quickly after it was posted. When comments died down and the subject was changed, you decide to talk about the picture of which was taken by the writer of the blog? Maybe you know the writer? If not, how do you know if Mr. Lyons was able to choose what the author of the blog wanted as his picture to represent his story? Truth is that every creature ages and unless tragedy strikes our bodies don’t last forever. We should be planning for that and saving our money in order to be able to pay for the care that we are going to need. Why should it be so troubling to spend your savings on your care? We can all agree that values differ from person to person. I’m not saying that we should instantly trust the people we meet or the services that are rendered to us, but weigh your options, pick your battles, always have an advocate, and try not to discourage those that need help from getting it. Above all, love God, love others, and then love yourself.

MO,
Wow Michelle, thanks so much for that condescending post of yours. How dare I espouse any opinion that might be contrary to yours, eh? I do not know the reporter or Mr. Lyons, I was simply asking the question as to why the article and photo do not include ANY of the other staff-especially since the staff are what makes a facility such as this successful. If it WAS Mr. Lyons’ idea or he only made HIMSELF available to the reporter, then it really does speak as to his leadership philosophy (I’ve been in management and leadership roles and have extensive leadership education, btw). As for stirring the pot, I have neither the time nor desire “to stir the pot.” I do however have the right to make an observation and to voice my opinion-it’s that pesky little thing called the first amendment.

Now, as to your condescending comments about every “creature” getting old, I will say that everyone most certainly DOES NOT get old and need care. I’ve had relatives get older and suddenly pass away one day, never needing any care and remaining in their homes. I’ve also had relatives who only needed short term hospice care-usually done in their home. But I’ve also had relatives who had strokes, Alzheimer’s, or some other debilitating problem that landed them in a nursing home for several years. In the process they lose everything they ever had, including their homes. I don’t have a problem with using their assets to pay for their care, AS I’VE SAID, I simply expect the highest standard of care possible. These people are giving up everything, they should not be allowed to sit around in a facility that smells like urine and/or be neglected while giving up everything they have for the privilege of doing so. I KNOW, I EXPECT TOO MUCH APPARENTLY!

As for planning, how does one plan for care that costs $7,000 a month or more, that they may very well never need? Unless you’re a millionaire or can afford long term care insurance (which typically doesn’t pay everything and the premiums tend to be VERY high), you can’t PLAN for something like that. Unless we’re psychic, we have no idea what our last days will be like, we just have to hope for the best.

However, it is NEVER too much to ask that people in nursing homes (or any industry really) be professionals and perform their job well. That’s part of a work ethic which sadly is quickly disappearing. I do love however, how those who work in nursing homes that post on here get so “offended” so quickly. In my experience as an HR professional, it’s those workers who are usually guilty of the things that critics point out. I guess it comes from that parenting philosophy that came about some years back where everything little Johnny or Janie does is wonderful. Everyone’s a winner and does a good job (even when they don’t), right?

Cheryl, did I state anything technical about nursing? Do I need a nursing degree to state the opinion that our elderly people should not be neglected or allowed to sit around in a place that reeks of urine (as has happend at Fredericksburg Nursing Home in the past)? I don’t really give a rat’s behind whether you’re a nurse or how long you’ve been one. Though, given your rather rude and condescending attitude, I suspect that you’re part of the problem.

Your a pitiful excuse hiding behind a blog. Clearly a self declared God of human resources.

Cheryl-you yet again demonstrate your juvenile attitude toward those who disagree with or criticize you. I find it amusing that you profess to have A DEGREE IN NURSING but can’t spell or embrace basic grammatical concepts-learn the difference between your and you’re, learn the rules of capitalization, etc. THANK GOD your time is done here. Great job representing Golden Living btw. If you are an example of the staff there, then there’s no wonder it’s always been such a cesspool.

l would like to say thank god we have such special people who work in nursing homes, the families come visit and go home we stay and care for there love ones for 24/7. we are thier friends,and helpers.thank god we have huge hearts…..i give a big hurray for all health care workers, and a bright star to to all nursing staff

Is Falls Run accepting private insurance yet?

My Mom was admitted to this facility in early November, she was their 6th patient. Everything was fine at first.. Evidently, that only lasts if you don’t ask questions or present any concerns. About three weeks ago, Mom started complaining of stomach pains, being unable to urinate, general weakness, and was nauseated. The staff chose to ignore her complaints. The family brought our concerns to the administrator’s, Director of Nursing’s, and the Social Worker’s attention. It was finally determined to do a CT scan of her abdomen along with blood work. I personally took her to the Stafford Hospital on a Friday morning for the tests and was told by the staff at the hospital that the results would be done in about an hour. Family members started asking the facility Friday afternoon if the results were back yet. We asked several times on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday – and were always told no results were in yet. On Monday afternoon, I had a previously scheduled appointment for Mom (the doctor is not associated with the facility) so I picked her up and took her to the doctors. I informed the doctor about the CT scan and blood work that no one had received word on yet. His office was able to get the faxed results right away and upon looking at them he told me to take Mom right over to the ER because she was in renal failure. She was admitted immediately and it is now two weeks later and she is still in the hospital (this shows exactly how bad of shape she was in).

The lack of concern at the facility is disconcerting at best. The facility still insists that they did not have the results from the CT scan and blood work – even though I have a copy that states the results were received by them on that same Friday at 3:31 in the afternoon. No one ever apologized for the mistake, no one ever called to see how she was doing, they only called to tell me that Mom was no longer a resident at the facility and to come pick up her belongings. Once I went to pick up her items, I discovered that a handmade quilt was gone plus numerous other things as well. I called and left a message about it, but as of today I still have not received any return messages regarding my call.

I always thought that an administrator’s job was to answer concerns and questions, yet when Mr. Lyons has been asked his most common response was to wave his hand and state that he is not even going to “entertain that” – so in essence he only answer’s questions and problems that he deems worthy!! To heck with any other problems!! Dennis is extremely rude and he lacks the professionalism needed to be a successful administrator. Hopefully the Saber Healthcare Group will made note of that before he has the opportunity to ruin this new facility.

On the positive side, the kitchen staff went out of their way to accommodate Mom and tried to meet her needs. During Mom’s first two week, when she was feeling okay, the PT staff worked with her and did a tremendous job with getting her strength back (she had suffered a heart attack at the end of October).

I am considering transferring my father to Falls Run from another facility, because it is very close to where we live. Kesia, do you have an updated rating of Falls Run? Anyone else who would like to share an experience/opinion on Falls Run?
Thank you.
David