Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long have you provided nursing care?
The Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation has been certified as a residential health care skilled nursing facility since 1998, though the facility has been providing the community with long-tern and custodial health care services in the mid-1960s.
Q: How convenient is the home for family visitation?
Since resident stays in a nursing home tend to be longer than the time spent in a hospital, location is a prime consideration for visitors. Located in New Rochelle, Glen Island Center is in a residential neighborhood convenient to highways and public transportation. The facility is readily accessible from both I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway. The Bee-Line #45 bus passes our front door. A connection can be made with the #45 and the #6 subway train at the Pelham Bay station in the Bronx. In addition, visitors can transfer at the New Rochelle bus terminal to buses which travel throughout Westchester County. It is also a short distance from Glen Island to Metro North’s Pelham station.
Q: What are the visiting hours?
Visiting hours vary with each care facility. The suggested visiting hours at Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation are 10 AM – 8 PM. These times allow visitors to observe two meals as well as many of the activity programs. In addition, under exceptional circumstances, arrangements can be made to extend the time, as long as it does not interfere with the care and/or privacy of other residents.
Q: What is Respite Care?
Respite Care is short-term care designed for home-care patients whose family needs a temporary period of relief or rest. Adults with disabilities or special needs--dementia, chronic or terminal illness--or who cannot live alone are welcome to participate.
Q: Do you offer Alzheimer's and Dementia Care?
Glen Island Center offers both Alzheimer's and Dementia Care services, which are designed to involve residents in everyday activities, within specially designed surroundings that are both safe and stimulating. We utilize a cueing program that stimulates a patient’s memory and carefully monitor medication, daily activities, and safety.
Q: Is there a bed available when I need it?
The population of a nursing/rehabilitation facility changes on a daily basis. If you or someone you know is seeking placement, please contact our Admissions Department for up-to-date information.
Q: Are the residents clean, dressed and well-groomed?
If you have been ill, you know how much better you feel after showering and getting dressed. This is something we keep in mind in caring for our residents. All at Glen Island Center are out of bed and dressed, unless there are medical reasons not to do so. The facility also offers a free laundry service for residents’ personal clothing, ensuring a neat and clean appearance. There is a unisex beautician/barber on the premises, which not only enhances their appearance but morale as well.
Q: Are the residents interacting with each other and/or the staff?
Size matters, and so does atmosphere. The size of Glen Island, 182 beds, fosters a nurturing environment similar to that of an extended family, where everyone feels close and connected. In addition, our trained professional staff is determined to make every resident feel as comfortable as possible. The combination of a compassionate staff, warm setting and family atmosphere serves as the framework for the quality of life here and lends itself to frequent and friendly interactions among residents, their families and staff.
Q: Is the facility clean, well-lit and free from unpleasant odors?
Cleanliness and hygiene in a care facility are very important to the well-being of the residents, and are a priority at Glen Island. Dust bunnies under the bed or torn linen are as unacceptable here as they would be in a private home. Our facility is monitored 24/7 by staff of the Environmental Services Department to ensure that conditions are always clean and sanitary. In addition, to daily housekeeping and clean linen service, Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation provides rigorous in-house maintenance to guarantee the highest of standards.
Q: Does the menu appeal and offer variety?
We encourage you to stay for a meal, so that you can sample our balanced and nutritious menu. If you can not take time to eat a meal during your visit, try to observe meal service or review the menu. Enjoying the food is essential to residents having pleasant stay. Here, we not only provide well-balanced nutritional values, but a meal presentation with tempting eye appeal. At Glen Island Center for Nursing Rehabilitation, the selection is delicious and diverse, with several choices offered at each meal. Medical diets are followed and every effort is made to accommodate personal preferences.
Q: Do residents receive help with eating if needed?
Residents are encouraged to be as independent as they can be. Therefore the amount of help offered is carefully evaluated as part of the care planning process, a joint decision determined by clinicians, residents and their families. Assistance can vary from cutting up food, verbal encouragement, or total feeding.
Q: What kinds of activities are provided?
Therapeutic Recreation helps individualize each resident’s leisure activities according to their cognitive status and physical ability to achieve a meaningful quality of life. This department’s ultimate goal is to develop an activities program that will provide leisure to all the residents. The staff philosophy is “not what you can’t do”, but “what you can do”, regardless of physical and mental functioning. The calendar includes but is not limited to adult education, coffee klatsch, comedy night, men’s club, bingo, movies, parties, reminiscing, cooking club, trips out to the community.
Q: What are the functions of your rehabilitative staff?
Unlike other facilities, Glen Island’s Rehabilitative staff is employed by the facility rather than dependent upon outside consultants. As such, these clinicians are readily accessible and know their residents’ weaknesses and strengths. While touring the facility, we suggest you visit the rehabilitation department and speak with the staff regarding any concerns. Upon admission, a resident is assessed for his or her restorative potential. The Rehabilitation Therapy Staff, led by a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy, design a customized plan to help the resident achieve effective rehabilitation and maximum function. Our well-equipped Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Department is available for all treatments ordered by the physician.
Q: What are the costs to me?
We recognize that paying for nursing home care is a major concern for those seeking placement. Please refer to the financial's page of this website as a resource.
Q: What is the difference between a long and short-term stay?
Prior to and again at the time of placement a resident is assessed for his or her restorative potential to return home. Those admissions that are evaluated as being able to return to the community are deemed short term. The need for restorative therapy (physical, occupational, speech), or sub-acute nursing care are the most common reasons for short term placement. Residents who are chronically sick, disabled, or diagnosed with dementia are more likely to be admitted for a lengthy stay and considered long term.
Q: How can I check the credentials of your facility?
Under New York State law every facility is required to post the results of the annual New York State Department of Health recertification survey, When visiting our facility, we are proud to share our report generated by the New York State Department of Health (NYDOH) review of care. Our quality as annually reviewed for re-licensing has been rated five stars for three consecutive years, a record unsurpassed by any other facility in Westchester County.
Q: What clothing is appropriate?
As a general rule, clothing brought into a skilled nursing facility should be comfortable, easy to put on and wash and wear. At Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, personal laundry is done on premise. Even so, we recommend the clothes be durable. To avoid loss, all clothing should be labeled, which can be done by our seamstress if needed. Since a resident is out of bed on a daily basis, we recommend at least [7] changes of clothing and [1] pair of non-skid shoes.
Q: How do I become involved in the care of a loved one?
At Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, the care process is a partnership – one that includes residents, staff, and family members. Our interdisciplinary team meets regularly with the resident and family to discuss individual progress and needs. This enables us to establish a personalized plan that delivers care in the most effective way. Moreover, residents are encouraged to participate in the Resident Council. Families of residents also have the right to visit with other families to share their experiences and information.
