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deb jones

My loved one is in the rehab unit. I would give the PT/OT staff a separate five stars. As far as overall… Not really impressed at all. This unit seems to be either understaffed or unqualified to do the job. While I have spoken with staff who really seem to care and know what they’re doing, others, aides and nurses alike, just don’t seem to understand how to handle elderly people. Instead of answering call bells and addressing urgent basic needs like toileting/cleanliness issues, my loved one is often ignored or told to wait while they “get help and come right back “, only to never come back… My loved one was grateful on several occasions for me to be there and have me to help her use the bedpan and clean herself up afterwards. When I am not there, however, my proud, modest, private, independent loved one has had to wear “the diaper” for accidents due to lack of/ inability of staff to provide basic services. Her request to have her hygiene needs met by female staff is met with responses such as “Oh, he doesn’t care what you look like “ or, “ He takes care of females all the time”. Why can’t an elderly female be respected in her wishes to have only female staff helping to clean her “private” areas? My experience, having worked in several nursing homes, and having several family members in different nursing homes, including this one is this: There are many people who care. They are outnumbered by the “clique” . The ones who act like they care but don’t. The young ones who for them, this is their first “real “ semi well paying job. They wear the uniform, the badge, carry the keys, and are too busy giggling with each other and strutting their self importance to meet their job description. Then there are the older ones who may have cared at one point but are burned out by short staffing, overtime, excessive demands from administrators who have no idea what caring for the mostly elderly, most vulnerable members of society entails. Hurray for the ones who shine through. The ones who care enough to make a difference. There are some of them here. But when people are at their most vulnerable moments; when they are depending on others to help them meet their most basic needs, and those needs aren’t being fulfilled, these are the moments that stand out the most. All the times they have “worn the diaper.” The unanswered call bells. The little things like getting regular coffee and tea on every tray when you repeatedly ask for decaf. Having to ask for an aide of the same gender to help you with basic toileting/hygiene needs. When these basic things are ignored, it is more difficult for the resident and their family members to appreciate the niceties here. The friendly front lobby staff. The patio for residents and family to enjoy on nice days. The clean and quiet environment in the rehab unit. This is the place most people choose when offered Elderwood as opposed to the other option that has an opening. That said, I am so happy that my loved one is in a very good position to recover and to leave this “lesser of two evils “ place, and return home.

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carol wright

I was recently a patient in the rehab unit. I want to give a shout out to all the nurses , aides, housekeepers, physical therapy and OT department for the wonderful care.they were all very polite and treated me with respect, my bell was answered within minutes from when i put it on I also liked how everyone one came in to introduce themselves like the dr dietitian the gentleman of the therapy department social worker etc. I wasn’t a fan of the food though but the Dietitian did accommodate me with a sandwich I highly recommend the rehab unit

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KC Ashley

June 2024 my father-in-law was admitted to the rehab floor with the hopes he could return to his assisted living apartment. Unfortunately that was not to be and he needed long term placement. We were lucky that he could stay at Elderwood and he was moved to the 2nd floor. Both floors gave him exceptional care. Even short staffed he was treated well and his needs were met. We family members were also treated with respect and our concerns were always addressed quickly & professionally. I truly cannot say thank you enough to everyone who took care of him right up to his passing on 2/13/2025. Sincerely, KC Ashley

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Me Mcdonald

78 yr old mother had major surgery. on 1st floor for rehab. mother is very cognitive and motivated to get well. the nurses were very nice. rooms were small but ok. alot better than some other nursing homes in the syracuse area. i believe they were understaffed but the staff that was there were hard workers. my mother appreciated the different social engagements that were done in the cafeteria area. she comes from senior apartment in oneida county and appreciated the social areas once she was feeling well enough to get out of her room. since i live close by, i was able to come and go at elderwood with no issues. i was terrified that after surgery she would have to go to one of the other horrible snf . but elderwood is nice. i think its one of the cleanest snf ive been to in syracuse area

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Barristers' Bungalow

Just thrilled to get our family member out of there alive. We went there because they are supposed to be a "skilled nursing facility" for individuals recovering from hospitalizations. They neglected her serious medical conditions the entire time she was there, and failed to follow their own policies that were supposed to protect her. After watching how this place operated, our family made it a point of having someone there every day, otherwise we are not sure she would have been fed much less cared for. Even with someone there, daily advocacy was required just to get them to do the bare minimum. The facility physician seemed incapable of any analytical thought on the serious medical issues our family member was suffering from, so it was easier to tell us to deal with them after she was released. We were very thankful for the NP who seemed to take an actual interest in the patient's well-being. It is unfortunate, because it appears that their therapy group is quite good. It is all the other services aka patient care that were substandard and grossly understaffed. They have definitely lost the quality edge that they had several years ago when we had another family member there.