Executive Summary

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a 96-bed skilled nursing facility located on a picturesque lakeside campus in West Kingston, Rhode Island. Based on extensive research, this report provides a detailed analysis of the facility’s services, amenities, quality metrics, resident experiences, and market positioning to help you make an informed decision about senior care options in the area.

1. Facility Overview

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center operates as a for-profit institution at 2115 S County Trail, West Kingston, RI 02892. The facility features 96 beds and has recently expanded its service capabilities through a merger with Home Health and Hospice Care of Nursing Placement .

Key Facility Characteristics

2. Services Offered

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center provides a comprehensive range of care services designed to meet various levels of need.

Specialized Care Options

The facility offers several specialized care programs, with particular strength in memory care through its dedicated 36-bed secure dementia unit. This unit provides specialized care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related conditions, featuring memory enhancement programs and a protected environment .

3. Amenities and Living Experience

Accommodation Options

Dining Services

The facility offers multiple meal options with dietary accommodations available. Nutritionist consultations ensure that residents receive appropriate nutrition tailored to their medical needs and preferences . Resident feedback has highlighted food quality as a positive aspect of the facility .

4. Daily Activities and Programs

The facility employs an activity director who has received positive feedback from residents and families for organizing engaging programs . While specific details about daily activities are limited in the available information, the facility offers:

• Organized outdoor activities
• Nature tours
• Shopping trips
• Community clubs
• Social interaction programs

5. Professional Team

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center maintains an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals:

• Skilled nurses
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech therapists
• Dietitians
• Social workers

6. Quality Metrics and Performance

Key Performance Indicators

Recent Inspection Results

• Health inspection conducted: February 28, 2024
• Issues identified: Food/fluid maintenance and infection control program
• Resolution date: March 15, 2024
• Impact level: Low potential for harm

7. Resident Experiences and Testimonials

Resident Feedback

“I highly recommend South Kingstown Nursing Rehabilitation Center… The activity director is wonderful… The CNAs give good personal care.”

Areas of Excellence

• “Very up-to-date and clean facility”
• “Excellent food quality”
• “Engaged activity director”
• “Good understanding of memory issues”

Areas for Improvement

1. Communication Issues
   • Reported gaps in critical situation updates
   • Family notification concerns
2. Environmental Factors
   • Some reports of facility odors
   • Mixed feedback on general cleanliness maintenance

8. Pricing Information

Daily Rates (Effective October 2023)

Payment Options

The facility accepts:

• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Private insurance
• Private pay

9. Awards and Recognition

Certifications

• Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
• Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification

10. Community Reputation

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center maintains a moderate community reputation with a satisfaction score of 5.5/10 . While the facility has received numerous awards and certifications, including the prestigious CMS 5-Star Rating, resident experiences appear mixed, with notable strengths in rehabilitation outcomes and activity programming, but concerns regarding staffing levels and communication.

11. Recommendations for Prospective Residents and Families

1. Schedule a Comprehensive Site Visit

Implementation Guide:
Use this structured observation checklist during your visit to evaluate key aspects of the facility:

Observation Checklist:

• Staffing Levels
  • [ ] Observe staff-to-resident ratio during different times of day
  • [ ] Note response time to resident requests
  • [ ] Ask about the 3h 11m nurse staffing time (below state average) and how they ensure adequate care
• Facility Environment
  • [ ] Check for cleanliness in common areas and resident rooms
  • [ ] Note any odors (identified as an area of concern in reviews)
  • [ ] Observe maintenance and repair status of the facility
  • [ ] Examine the security measures in the memory care unit
• Resident Engagement
  • [ ] Observe resident participation in activities
  • [ ] Note social interactions between residents
  • [ ] Ask about the activity calendar and frequency of events
• Staff Interactions
  • [ ] Observe how staff interact with residents
  • [ ] Note staff morale and teamwork
  • [ ] Ask about the 54.4% staff turnover rate and retention strategies

2. Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Before selecting a care level, complete this needs assessment to determine the appropriate services:

Needs Assessment Questionnaire:

1. Medical Requirements:
   • [ ] Does your loved one need skilled nursing care (IV therapy, wound care)?
   • [ ] Is rehabilitation the primary goal (physical therapy, occupational therapy)?
   • [ ] Are there memory care needs (Alzheimer’s, dementia)?
   • [ ] Is long-term care for chronic conditions needed?
   • [ ] Are palliative care services required?
2. Personal Care Needs:
   • [ ] What level of assistance is needed with activities of daily living?
   • [ ] Are there mobility limitations requiring special equipment?
   • [ ] Is medication management assistance needed?
   • [ ] Are there specific dietary requirements?
3. Social and Emotional Considerations:
   • [ ] What level of social interaction is desired?
   • [ ] Are there specific activity preferences to maintain quality of life?
   • [ ] How important is access to outdoor spaces?
   • [ ] What religious or spiritual services are important?

3. Prepare a Financial Planning Worksheet

Use this worksheet to calculate potential monthly expenses based on care needs:

Monthly Cost Estimation Tool:

Financial Resources:

• Medicare Coverage: _______ (typically covers up to 100 days after qualifying hospital stay)
• Medicaid Eligibility: _______ (for long-term care if financial requirements met)
• Private Insurance: _______ (check your policy for nursing home coverage)
• Private Pay Resources: _______ (savings, investments, home equity)

4. Develop a Communication Plan

Given the noted concerns about communication, establish a clear plan for staying informed:

Communication Protocol:

1. Identify key contact persons for different aspects of care:
   • Medical updates: ____________
   • Financial questions: ____________
   • Daily care concerns: ____________
2. Establish preferred communication methods:
   • [ ] Regular scheduled calls
   • [ ] Email updates
   • [ ] In-person meetings
   • [ ] Care conferences (frequency: ______)
3. Request notification parameters:
   • [ ] What changes in condition warrant immediate notification?
   • [ ] Who will be contacted first in an emergency?
   • [ ] How are care plan changes communicated?

12. Conclusion

South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center offers a comprehensive range of services in a lakeside setting, with particular strengths in rehabilitation outcomes and specialized memory care. The facility has received notable recognition including a CMS 5-Star Rating and various quality awards. However, prospective residents and families should carefully evaluate staffing levels, communication protocols, and environmental factors during their decision-making process.

The facility’s above-average rehabilitation success rate (56.9% return home) and excellent safety record (0% major injury falls) are significant positives. Areas for potential concern include below-average nurse staffing time, above-average infection rates, and mixed resident feedback regarding communication and environmental factors.

By following the recommended evaluation process outlined in this report, you can determine if South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is the right fit for your specific care needs and preferences.