1. Facility Overview

Bria at Elmwood Park, also known as Generations at Elmwood Park, is a large-scale skilled nursing facility located at 7733 W. Grand Ave., Elmwood Park, Illinois 60707. This for-profit partnership facility offers a range of services with a capacity of 245 beds.

Key Facility Information:

• Location: 7733 W. Grand Ave., Elmwood Park, IL 60707
• Facility Type: Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Capacity: 245 certified beds
• Ownership: For-profit partnership
• Medicare/Medicaid Certified: Yes

2. Services and Care Options

Bria at Elmwood Park provides a comprehensive range of care services designed to meet various senior healthcare needs:

2.1 Specialized Care Options

• In-House Dialysis: On-site hemodialysis treatment
• Pain Management Programs: Tailored approaches for chronic pain
• Wound Care: Specialized treatment for complex wound management

3. Amenities and Daily Life

While specific details about amenities were limited in our research, here’s what we could gather:

• Clean and comfortable living spaces
• Dedicated rehabilitation areas
• Social gathering spaces
• Outdoor areas for resident use
• Dining services with special diet accommodations

3.1 Activities and Programs

Bria at Elmwood Park offers various activities to engage residents, including:

• Monthly activity calendar
• Bingo
• Piano nights
• Comedy nights
• Therapeutic recreation (e.g., music therapy, pet therapy)

Actionable Recommendation: During your facility tour, request to see the current monthly activities calendar and ask about the variety of dining options. Observe a meal service if possible to assess food quality and dining atmosphere, as this has been a point of concern in some reviews.

4. Staffing and Care Quality

4.1 Medicare Quality Ratings

4.2 Staffing Analysis

Daily nursing care hours per resident:

• Total nursing care: 3.3 hours
• Licensed nurses: 1.1 hours (RNs: 0.2 hours, LPNs: 0.9 hours)
• Nurse aides: 2.2 hours

Actionable Insight: The lower-than-average ratings and staffing hours indicate significant areas for improvement in care quality. When visiting the facility, it’s crucial to:

1. Observe staff-resident interactions closely during different times of the day.
2. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios during various shifts, including nights and weekends.
3. Inquire about staff retention rates and ongoing training programs.
4. Request information on any quality improvement initiatives currently underway.
5. Ask how the facility plans to address the staffing shortages and improve care quality.

5. Resident Experiences and Satisfaction

Based on reviews from various sources, here’s a breakdown of resident satisfaction:

5.1 Notable Testimonials

Positive:

“In less than thirty days he went from cannot stand to can and able to come home.” – Family Member

This testimonial highlights the effectiveness of the rehabilitation services offered at Bria at Elmwood Park.

Negative:

“This is an absolutely horrible facility if you care about your family; do not send them there; it’s dirty, nursing care is nonexistent.” – Resident

This feedback raises serious concerns about cleanliness and care quality, which should be thoroughly investigated during your facility evaluation.

Actionable Recommendation: Given the mixed reviews, it’s crucial to:

1. Visit the facility multiple times at different hours to personally assess cleanliness, staff responsiveness, and overall atmosphere.
2. Speak with current residents and their families outside of scheduled tour times to get unfiltered feedback.
3. Ask the management about their response to negative feedback and any improvement plans in place.
4. Request to see recent state inspection reports and how any cited issues have been addressed.
5. Inquire about specific measures taken to improve cleanliness and care quality based on resident feedback.

6. Pricing and Financial Information

While specific pricing for Bria at Elmwood Park was not readily available, we can provide context based on local averages and comparable facilities:

Payment Options

• Medicare certified
• Medicaid approved
• Private insurance accepted (verify specific plans)
• Private pay options available

Actionable Recommendation: To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the financial aspects:

1. Request a detailed, itemized pricing sheet from Bria at Elmwood Park, including:
   • Base rate for skilled nursing care
   • Additional costs for specialized services (e.g., memory care, rehabilitation)
   • Any one-time fees (e.g., admission fees, community fees)
   • Potential rate increase schedules
2. Discuss potential scenarios where care needs might change and how this would affect pricing.
3. Inquire about financial assistance programs or sliding scale fees based on individual circumstances.
4. Ask about any bundled service packages that might offer better value for comprehensive care needs.
5. Compare these costs with at least three other facilities in the area to ensure you’re getting a comprehensive view of the local market rates and value propositions.

7. Comparison with Local Alternatives

To provide context, here’s how Bria at Elmwood Park compares to other highly-rated facilities in the area:

Key Differentiators of Bria at Elmwood Park:

1. Large-Scale Facility: With 245 certified beds, it potentially offers more resources and diverse social opportunities.
2. Comprehensive Care Continuum: Offers a full range of care options from short-term rehabilitation to long-term care.
3. Specialized Medical Services: In-house dialysis unit and focus on rehabilitation services set it apart from typical assisted living facilities.
4. Competitive Entry-Level Pricing: The starting price of $1,500/month is below the local average, potentially offering good value for basic care needs.

Actionable Recommendation: When comparing facilities:

1. Create a checklist of your most important criteria (e.g., care levels, amenities, activities, pricing) and use it to evaluate each facility.
2. Schedule tours of at least 3-4 facilities to compare environments, staff interactions, and overall atmosphere firsthand.
3. Speak with residents and family members at each facility to get unfiltered feedback on daily life and care quality.
4. Consider both current and potential future care needs when evaluating the suitability of each facility.
5. Pay special attention to the stark difference in ratings between Bria at Elmwood Park and its competitors. Investigate the reasons behind these differences during your visits.

8. Unique Features and Considerations

1. Scale of Operations: The large number of certified beds may allow for a wider range of services and social interactions.
2. Rehabilitation Focus: Strong emphasis on rehabilitation services, which may be particularly beneficial for post-hospital recovery.
3. Affordability: The competitive pricing structure, especially at the entry-level, makes it an accessible option for many families.
4. Regulatory Challenges: The facility has faced significant regulatory issues, including:
   • 7 federal fines in the last 3 years, totaling $779,963
   • 3 payment denials by Medicare in the last 3 years
   • Flagged for abuse citation
   • 40 health citations (compared to the Illinois average of 12.4)

9. Areas for Improvement and Considerations

Based on the available data, here are key areas that warrant careful consideration:

1. Quality of Care: The low Medicare ratings for overall care, quality measures, and staffing indicate significant room for improvement.
2. Staffing Levels: The below-average staffing ratings suggest potential issues with care delivery and responsiveness.
3. Regulatory Compliance: The high number of citations and fines raises serious concerns about the facility’s ability to meet required care standards.
4. Cleanliness and Maintenance: Some reviews have raised concerns about the facility’s cleanliness, which should be personally verified during visits.
5. Food Quality: The lower rating for food (2.7/5) indicates that meal quality and variety may be an issue for some residents.

10. Final Recommendations

1. Schedule Multiple Visits: Arrange tours at different times of day, including weekends and evenings, to get a comprehensive view of the facility’s operations and resident care.
2. Speak with Current Residents and Families: Try to arrange conversations with current residents or their family members outside of scheduled tour times to get unfiltered feedback on their experiences.
3. Review Recent Inspection Reports: Request and review the most recent state inspection reports to understand any ongoing issues and improvement plans. Pay special attention to how the facility has addressed previous citations.
4. Assess Staff Engagement: During your visit, observe staff interactions with residents and inquire about staff turnover rates and ongoing training programs. Ask about specific measures taken to improve staffing levels and care quality.
5. Evaluate Care Transition Processes: Inquire about how the facility manages transitions between different levels of care, as this can be crucial for long-term planning.
6. Compare Rehabilitation Services: If rehabilitation is a priority, ask for success rates, average length of stay for short-term residents, and the qualifications of therapy staff.
7. Review Communication Protocols: Inquire about how the facility communicates with families, especially regarding health updates or care plan changes.
8. Consider Future Needs: Evaluate how Bria at Elmwood Park’s range of services aligns with potential future health needs, ensuring the facility can accommodate changing care requirements over time.
9. Investigate Quality Improvement Plans: Given the low ratings and regulatory issues, ask management about specific, actionable plans to improve care quality, staffing, and compliance with regulations.
10. Consult with Healthcare Providers: If possible, discuss the facility with your current healthcare providers to ensure it can meet any specific medical needs, especially considering the regulatory challenges faced by the facility.

By thoroughly investigating these aspects, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision that ensures the best possible care and quality of life for your loved one. Remember, while Bria at Elmwood Park offers comprehensive services at competitive entry-level pricing, the lower quality ratings and regulatory issues necessitate careful consideration and personal verification of care standards before making a decision.