Milford Manor gets a facelift

BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — Milford Manor received a five-star rating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) recently, according to the “Nursing Home Compare” section of the federal government website cms.gov. The rating system encompassed health surveys, quality measures, nurse staffing and safety to help consumers compare nursing homes more easily and to help identify areas they may have questions about.

Its five-star rating puts Milford Manor in the top 10 percent of nursing homes in the state.

Milford Manor is also listed in U.S. News and World Report’s list of best nursing homes for 2015.

Milford Manor is looking pretty spiffy too. The nursing home is in the second year of a three-year, $3 million complete renovation. Outside, they have beautiful new landscaping and lighting. Inside, there is a new lobby with ceramic tile floor. In all the hallways there is new wood flooring, new wallpaper and new lighting.

According to Leslie Fisher, executive director of marketing, the Manor boasts 95 percent occupancy and residents’ rooms are being done one room at a time, as circumstances permit. Common areas, including the recreation, dining and patio area have been redone with all new furnishings. They are now starting to renovate the rehabilitation room and a new roof will soon be installed.

Milford Manor is a 120-bed facility which provides a variety of specialized programs designed for the geriatric population. It boasts an enclosed atrium, an outdoor garden, a large activity area and restaurant-style dining in an elegant dining room. Milford Manor specializes in short term sub-acute rehabilitation and long term care and respite stays. Milford Manor accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most insurance.

Regular activities include bingo, cards, movie night, exercise, religious programs, cooking groups, games and Wiki bowling. Special events include musical entertainment, family night, pizza parties, international cooking groups, theme programming, quilting group, spa days and holistic wellness programs, including yoga, meditation, reiki, aromatherapy and sensory spa.

Fisher said she is proud of Milford Manor's low staff turnover. She said many employees have been with them for more than 20 years.

“The facility always had a wonderful reputation for great care in a home-like setting,” Fisher added.

Part of that home-like setting is Baby Bear, a friendly Shih Tzu dog who visits daily and delights the residents. Other animal friends drop by, too.

“We have a lot of pride in it," said Elizabeth Martin, Milford Manor's administrator. "We’ve gotten quality outcomes from patient care and we’re very proud of it.”

And Milford Manor's residents and their families are pleased as well.

“The care and love from the staff made her feel so special," said Alicia Moeller, whose mom, Rachel Austin, was a former long-term care resident. "As a family we felt the love and care as well.”

“Milford Manor tops any hospital (etc.) that I have been in," said Maureen Divita, a former sub-acute rehabilitation patient. "They are all so caring and kind, the whole staff. They care about your feelings…This is where I’d want to be if I ever had to return.”