Comprehensive Review: Serene Manor Medical Center, Knoxville, TN

• Introduction

• Services offered
  • 1. Skilled nursing care
  • 2. Personal care services
  • 3. Specialized care
  • 4. Memory care
• Amenities and daily life
  • Facility amenities
  • Daily activities
  • Dining experience
• Quality of care and staff responsiveness
  • Staffing levels
  • Quality ratings
• Resident and family testimonials
  • Positive feedback
  • Areas of concern
• Pricing and value
• Comparison with other Knoxville facilities
• Unique features and considerations
• Recommendations for potential residents and families
  
  Moving to assisted living is a significant decision for seniors and their families. To make an informed choice, consider your loved one's specific medical, social, and personal care needs. Have open conversations about their preferences and concerns before deciding.

Introduction

Serene Manor Medical Center is located at 970 Wray Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. This skilled nursing facility serves seniors and their families. This review covers the facility's services, quality of care, and how it compares to other options in the Knoxville area.

Services offered

1. Skilled nursing care

• 24/7 medical supervision by licensed nursing staff
• Medication management and administration
• Regular health monitoring and vital checks
• Emergency response system for immediate assistance

2. Personal care services

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Personal hygiene support
• Mobility assistance
• Grooming and dressing help

3. Specialized care

• Wound care management, noted as a strength in resident feedback
• Rehabilitation services (typical offerings for skilled nursing facilities)

4. Memory care

The facility provides 24/7 care for residents with cognitive impairments, though specialized memory care programs are not detailed.

Amenities and daily life

Facility amenities

Amenity type

Details

Resident rooms

– Private bathrooms
– Cable TV access
– Wi-Fi connectivity
– Air conditioning
– Basic furnishings

Community spaces

– Outdoor recreational areas
– Activity rooms
– Dining facilities
– Common areas for socializing

Support services

– Housekeeping
– Laundry services
– Transportation for medical appointments

Daily activities

The facility offers scheduled activities, community events, movie screenings, fitness programs, and social gatherings.

• Specific daily activity examples are not provided in available materials.
• Dining experience
• Restaurant-style dining with professional chef-prepared meals and accommodations for special dietary needs
• Quality of care and staff responsiveness
• Residents receive personalized care plans. Staff are trained and generally described as compassionate. Families note that the facility is responsive to concerns, though overall ratings are mixed.

Staffing levels

• Staff category
• Hours per resident/day
• Registered nurses (RNs)

0.2 hours

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)

1.0 hours

Nurse aides

1.9 hours

Total nursing care

3.1 hours

The facility provides 3.1 hours of nursing care per resident daily. This is below the national average of 3.8 hours and may be adequate for some residents but not others.

Quality ratings

Metric

Rating

Interpretation

Overall CMS rating

1 out of 5

Bottom 20% nationally

Quality rating

2.0 out of 5

Below average

Staff rating

3.0 out of 5

Average

Community score

3.8 out of 10

Based on resident and family feedback

The ratings indicate the facility meets basic care standards but has room for improvement in overall quality and resident satisfaction.

Resident and family testimonials

Positive feedback

Strength in wound care management

Compassionate staff

Well-maintained historic building

Community atmosphere among residents and staff

Areas of concern

• Some reports of staff professionalism issues
• Mixed reviews on overall care quality
• Pricing and value
• Starting monthly price: $6,756

Average community price: $7,296

• Local market average for nursing homes: $4,065
• Serene Manor's pricing is significantly higher than the local market average, which may affect affordability for families.
• Comparison with other Knoxville facilities

Facility name

• Rating
• Key differences
• Serene Manor Medical Center

1/5 (CMS), 3.8/10 (Community)

Historic building, strong wound care program, higher pricing

Holston Health & Rehabilitation

3.8/5

Rehabilitation focus

NHC Healthcare – Ft Sanders

3.8/5

24/7 skilled care

West Hills Health And Rehab

3.8/5

Rehabilitation services

Westmoreland Health And Rehabilitation

3.8/5

Specialized nursing care

Unique features and considerations

Historic setting: The facility occupies a well-maintained historic building, which may appeal to residents who value architectural character.

Wound care expertise: The facility is recognized for wound care management, which matters for residents with specific medical needs.

Community atmosphere: Despite lower overall ratings, the facility has a community feel, and staff often provide attentive care.

Medical proximity: Located 1.0 miles from Tennova Healthcare and 1.5 miles from Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, the facility has quick access to emergency services.

Higher price point: The facility costs notably more than local averages. Consider whether the care quality and amenities justify the cost.

Recommendations for potential residents and families

1. Schedule an in-person visit. With mixed reviews, visiting Serene Manor in person matters. During your visit, observe how staff interact with residents, assess the cleanliness and maintenance, and participate in a meal to evaluate the dining experience.
2. Evaluate care needs carefully. If wound care is a priority, the facility's track record could be valuable. For memory care needs, ask about specific programs and security measures for residents with cognitive impairment.
3. Consider value for money. The higher price point warrants careful assessment. Compare the facility's services and care quality with other Knoxville options that have higher overall ratings.
4. Investigate staff stability and training. Ask about staff retention rates, ongoing training programs, and caregiver certifications. High turnover can signal management or workplace issues that affect care quality.
5. Review state inspection reports. Request recent inspection reports to identify any recurring issues or improvements.

Talk with current residents and families. If possible, speak directly with people living there or their family members about their day-to-day experience.

1. Clarify pricing details. Ask for a breakdown of all costs, including fees for specialized services. Inquire about price increases and the facility's policy on rate changes.
   • Assess activity programs. Request a monthly activity calendar and ask about personalized plans for residents with different cognitive and physical abilities.
   • Carefully evaluating these points will help you determine whether Serene Manor Medical Center fits your loved one's needs and preferences.
   • Participate in a meal to evaluate the dining experience
   • When looking at assisted living options, ask about all available room types, including private and shared rooms. This helps families understand the living arrangements so they can make a decision that fits the senior's preferences and the family's budget. For example, shared rooms are often more affordable and can help residents feel a sense of community. Both private and shared rooms offer different advantages.
2. Evaluate Care Needs Carefully:
   • If wound care is a primary concern, Serene Manor's experience with it could be very helpful.
   • For residents requiring memory care, inquire about specific programs and security measures for cognitively impaired individuals.
3. Consider Value for Money:
   • Given the higher price point, carefully assess if the services and care quality justify the cost.
   • Compare the offerings with other facilities in Knoxville, particularly those with higher overall ratings.
4. Investigate Staff Turnover and Training:
   High staff turnover can signal problems with management, training, or the work environment, which can affect residents' well-being. Ask about the facility's staff retention rates, their training programs, and the certifications their caregivers have. This helps ensure consistent, high-quality care for your loved one.
   • Ask about staff retention rates and ongoing training programs.
   • Inquire about strategies to address the reported issues with staff professionalism.
5. Review State Inspection Reports:
   • Request access to recent state inspection reports to get a clearer picture of any recurring issues or improvements.
6. Engage with Current Residents and Families:
   • If possible, speak with current residents or their family members to get firsthand accounts of daily life at the facility.
7. Clarify Pricing Structure:
   • Request a detailed breakdown of costs, including any additional fees for specialized services.
   • Inquire about potential price increases and the facility’s policy on rate changes.
8. Assess Activity Programs:
   • Request a monthly activity calendar to ensure the programs align with your loved one’s interests and needs.
   • Ask about personalized activity plans for residents with varying cognitive and physical abilities.

Carefully evaluating these aspects will help you decide if Serene Manor Medical Center is right for your loved one’s needs and preferences.