Comprehensive Review: Elmhurst Care Center - East Elmhurst, NY

• 1. Introduction and Overview

• 2. Services and Care Options
  • 2.1 Core Services
  • 2.2 Specialized Care Programs
• 3. Amenities and Lifestyle
  • 3.1 Living Spaces
  • 3.2 Community Amenities
  • 3.3 Dining Experience
• 4. Daily Activities and Resident Engagement
• 5. Resident Experience and Testimonials
  • 5.1 Overall Ratings
  • 5.2 Positive Feedback
  • 5.3 Areas for Improvement
• 6. Pricing and Financial Information
  • 6.1 Monthly Cost Range
  • 6.2 What's Included
  • 6.3 Payment Options
• 7. Management and Staff Quality
  • 7.1 Staffing Analysis
  • 7.2 Quality Metrics
• 8. Unique Features and Programs
• 9. Comparison with Local Competitors
• 10. Recommendations for Prospective Residents and Families
• 11. Conclusion

Introduction and overview

Elmhurst Care Center is a 240-bed skilled nursing facility at 100-17 23rd Ave in East Elmhurst, NY. It is Medicare and Medicaid certified and located near major New York City hospitals.

Services and care options

Core services

Service Category

Description

Key Features

Skilled Nursing

24-hour professional nursing care

– 12-16 hour nursing supervision
– Medication management
– Wound care
– Pain management

Rehabilitation

Comprehensive therapy services

– Physical therapy
– Occupational therapy
– Speech therapy
– Recreational therapy

Memory Care

The facility offers specialized memory care units for residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive conditions. These programs use a structured environment, cognitive activities, and trained staff. The approach aims to maintain function and reduce agitation.

– Secure environment
– Cognitive stimulation activities

Adult Daycare

Daytime care and activities

– Respite for family caregivers
– Structured daily programs

Specialized care programs

• Cardiac Recovery: Care for patients recovering from heart events
• Post-Surgical Care: Support for recovery after operations
• Stroke Rehabilitation: Therapy to help regain function after stroke
• Pulmonary Care: Treatment for respiratory conditions

Amenities and lifestyle

Living spaces

• Private and semi-private rooms with private bathrooms
• Emergency call systems in all rooms
• Housekeeping and laundry services

Community amenities

• Activity center for social engagement
• Library and game room
• Outdoor walking paths
• Beauty salon and barber services (availability may vary)

Dining experience

• Restaurant-style dining with nutritious meal options
• Special accommodations for various dietary needs
• Healthy snacks and kosher meals available

Daily activities and resident engagement

A structured activity schedule matters. It gives residents social contact, keeps them physically active, and provides mental stimulation. Elmhurst offers exercise classes, game nights, art workshops, health talks, music therapy, and religious services. When evaluating the facility, ask how many residents actually participate and whether activities can be adjusted for different abilities and preferences.

• Physical Wellness: Daily exercise classes, rehabilitation sessions
• Social Engagement: Community events, game nights, holiday celebrations
• Educational Programs: Health education workshops, guest lectures
• Creative Activities: Arts and crafts sessions, music therapy
• Spiritual Care: Multi-faith worship services
• Entertainment: Movie screenings, music performances

Resident experience and testimonials

Overall ratings

• Facility Rating: 2.4/5 based on 7 reviews (Caring.com)
• Resident Review Score: 7.1/10 (FamilyAssets)

Positive feedback

"The facility is exceptionally clean, the food is delicious, and the staff is attentive to the residents." – Frank's Sister (March 2, 2016)

"Elmhurst was beautiful, and they were caring to the seniors there. They had a 24-hour nurse station and home attendants that came to do laundry and clean rooms." – Irma2 (October 25, 2014)

Areas for improvement

"There is only a handful of CNAs that care about their job quality. It is mostly a revolving door. A resident will not have the same CNA, so no real connection to the residents' needs are ever met." – J.J.2020 (January 22, 2019)

"Communication with staff is near impossible… A lot of theft also. Laundry incompetent, lost clothes, dirty laundry piles up for days." – Anonymous (Date not specified)

Pricing and financial information

Monthly cost range

Care Level

Monthly Cost

Basic Care Starting Price

$1,234

Average Cost

$7,796

Maximum Cost

$14,357

What's included

• 24/7 access to certified caregivers
• Three meals per day
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Utilities (excluding phone and cable)
• Participation in activities and social events

Payment options

• Medicare certified
• Medicaid certified
• Private insurance accepted
• Private pay options available

Management and staff quality

Staffing analysis

Staff Category

Hours Per Resident/Day

Industry Standard

Total Nursing

2.9 hours

3.6 hours (state average)

RN Coverage

0.5 hours

0.4 hours (state average)

LPN Coverage

0.3 hours

0.8 hours (state average)

Nurse Aide Coverage

2.0 hours

2.4 hours (state average)

Elmhurst exceeds the state average for RN coverage but falls short in total nursing hours and LPN coverage. This gap may affect care consistency.

Quality metrics

• Overall CMS Rating: 2.0/5
• Quality Rating: 4.0/5
• Staff Rating: 3.0/5

These ratings show areas where care quality and staffing need improvement.

Unique features and programs

• Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Full range of therapy services with individualized treatment plans
• Strategic Location: Near major hospitals in New York City, convenient for post-operative care.
• Cultural Integration: Regular celebrations and activities reflecting the diverse New York City community

Comparison with local competitors

Feature

Elmhurst Care Center

Sunrise At East 56th

Coterie Hudson Yards

Atria Kew Gardens

Starting Price

$1,234/month

$14,144/month

$13,000/month

$3,995/month

Overall Rating

2.0/5 (CMS)

9.9/10

9.9/10

9.8/10

Care Levels

Skilled Nursing, Memory Care

Assisted Living, Memory Care

Luxury Assisted Living

Assisted Living

Unique Selling Point

Comprehensive medical services, affordable starting price

Luxury amenities, specialized memory care

Modern facilities, premium services

Affordable pricing, quality management

Recommendations for prospective residents and families

1. Schedule an On-Site Visit: With mixed reviews, a tour is essential. Pay attention to how staff interact with residents, the cleanliness, and the overall environment. Call (718) 274-4800 to arrange a visit.
2. Participate in a Meal and Activity: Eat a meal there and join a community activity to see the quality of dining and engagement.
3. Review Care Plans in Detail: Ask to see sample care plans and how they are developed, implemented, and adjusted. This matters given the range of services offered.
4. Discuss Staffing Patterns: Ask about staff-to-resident ratios on different shifts and weekends. Since total nursing hours are below average, it's important to know whether care is consistent across all shifts.
5. Evaluate Communication Protocols: Ask how families are kept informed about residents' health. Communication issues have been reported, so understand their process.
6. Assess Security Measures: Given reports of theft, ask about security procedures for personal belongings and facility safety.
7. Compare Costs Carefully: Elmhurst's starting price is competitive, but understand all potential additional fees. Discuss how costs may change as care needs evolve.
8. Explore Financial Assistance Options: Ask about Medicare and Medicaid coverage and other financial assistance programs available.

Conclusion

Elmhurst Care Center offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in East Elmhurst with a competitive starting price. It provides various medical programs, is near major hospitals, and has multiple amenities. However, there are concerns: staffing is below average, reviews on care consistency are mixed, and families have reported communication problems.

Elmhurst can be a good fit for residents needing complex medical care or specialized rehabilitation, especially those on a limited budget. But families should visit, ask detailed questions, and stay involved in their loved one's care to ensure it meets their needs.

Choose based on your loved one's care requirements, budget, and preferences. Consider both the facility's strengths and the challenges noted in reviews. The low starting cost is attractive, but hands-on family involvement is important.