Providing qualified, compassionate care, a congenial environment, and stimulation through activities and events are the priorities of the Princeton Care Center.
For people whose physical or mental condition makes long-term care a necessity, the Princeton Care Center is an option. Formerly the Princeton Nursing Home on Quarry Street, it reopened at 728 Bunn Drive six years ago and offers skilled nursing care.
“I am very proud of this facility, says Princeton Care Center’s administrator, The Honorable Jeffrey D. First, MPA, LNHA. “We are family-owned, and William Bogner is a hands-on owner who comes in several times a week. He is always thinking about what’s best for the residents.”
119 residents can be accommodated in the 65,000-square-foot, three-story facility, which features spacious private and semi-private rooms, all scrupulously clean, as well as attractively landscaped grounds.
Long-term care, including respite and hospice services, expanded Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and subacute (skilled and rehabilitation) care are available.
Among the features are a centrally situated nurse’s station for each unit, lounge/recreation room on each unit, physical therapy gym, occupational therapy suite, and attractive dining rooms.
Social Services’ medical services include 24-hour skilled nursing, multi-specialty physicians, dental, podiatry, audiology, and pharmaceutical specialists, and a dietitian for personalized counseling and meal planning. Beauty parlor and barber services are also offered.
In addition, family and resident counseling, family educational services, family and resident care conferences, and discharge planning are under the auspices of the Social Services Department.
The decision to enter a long-term care facility is one of the most difficult a person can face, and the staff at the Princeton Care Center are very much aware of this, says First. “We have social workers and a support group to help families cope with the decision and what is very important here is the quality of life and the quality of care.
“We are fortunate to have people on our staff with a lot of empathy and understanding. They are dedicated and highly trained.”
“When a new resident comes to the facility, we meet with them and the family,” adds Wanda Daniels, director of social services. “We get a social history — information about their life, work, family, and their health.”
She points out that although “Most of our elders are very pragmatic and resilient, the hardest thing when they come is that they have lost their independence. We know this, and we tell them this is a place of continuing living, and we do everything we possibly can to make your life acceptable to you.”
“I enjoy the residents so much,” she continues. “I learn from their experiences. They have amazing stories, and sometimes you can make a special connection. They enrich me every day, and there is never a day I don’t look forward to coming. For me, coming to work is a joy.”
A variety of activities are available to residents, and they are encouraged to participate to the extent they are able. Activities are tailored to the individual. Bingo, gardening, flower arranging, painting, cooking, exercise programs, religious services, entertainment, in-room movies, and pet visits are all offered.
“We believe that activities are the heartbeat of the community here,” says Berni Perrong, director of therapeutic activities. “This is definitely a place to live, not to die. It is very important to validate the residents, respect them as human beings,” she adds.
“We try to offer as much activity and stimulation as we can. We have events the residents look forward to, including barbecues and outings for those who are able. We take them to restaurants, to the board walk at the shore, and of course, their families can take them out too.”
Perrong reports that the residents especially look forward to the arrival of the pet therapy dog that comes every other week. “The dog is very friendly; the people love it and really respond.” Both long-term residents and short-term subacute patients (those who require specific physical therapy after a stroke, injury, surgery, hip/knee replacement, etc.) participate in rehabilitation care, which includes physical, occupational, restorative, and recreational therapy, and cardiac recovery.
“We see patients and residents on a regular basis,” says Harsha Amin, director of rehabilitation therapy. “Long-term residents come as often as they can, six times a week, if appropriate. We offer functional maintenance and restorative programs and work on physical strength and balance. It is very individualized.”
“We have a great facility, and we look forward to making it even better,” says First, who has been in skilled nursing care for 20 years, serving in a variety of positions, including vice president of a medical center.
“We will also be getting a swing set, so when children visit, they can play, and the residents will enjoy watching them,” he says, pointing out that bonding between the generations is a positive experience for both ends of the age spectrum.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are accepted by the Princeton Care Center, and currently, there are two openings available. For further information, call 609-924-9000.
