When we opened on August 25, 1992, this type of resident care facility was a new prospect with no blueprint to follow. Since then we have provided hundreds of residents with a home, a family, quality health care and therapeutic activities. Our main objective is to assist residents in improving their health and to prepare them to be filtered back into the community. We work extensively with our patients to guarantee that they are secure and prepared for daily life once they leave St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s provides such a warm, home-like atmosphere based in fellowship. The staff creates relationships with the patients, making them feel comfortable and stable. We can proudly say that our clients love St. Mary’s because they know that they are receiving high quality health care from a dependable and compassionate staff.
Prospective residents are referred to St. Mary’s by social workers and case managers. To be admitted, an applicant must have the following documents and screenings completed:
- Patient Review Instrument (PRI)
- PPD Test within 30 days
- Three negative sputum screens
- AIDS Institute referral packet
- Psychiatric and psycho-social assessments
The approval process usually takes about one or two days.
The nursing home also prepares an individualized comprehensive care plan (CCP), which is based on their medical, psychosocial, psychiatric and therapeutic assessments, within seven days of admittance. Residents are also assigned a case manager and a primary care physician upon admission. The objective is to help patients recognize their goals for their stay and for the staff to provide the best care tailored to that person’s needs.
“St. Mary’s is a good stepping stone before you go back out there. It really helps you with its good health care and gets a lot of people who come from the street back on their feet. I enjoy the activities, especially playing cards; it’s good company. The doctors and nurses really help you with your medications and get you the right meds. A lot of people have been able to leave because of the good health care.”
--Female resident
“St. Mary’s has helped me and changed me a lot…when I came here I was 80 lbs, now I’m 162 lbs. I really like it here; I don’t have any regrets being here. The counselors are beautiful; they are always there for you when you need them.”
--Female resident
“I recommend it (St. Mary’s). I’m taking my medications like I’m supposed to; we get good, steady meals and they make sure you are eating well. The staff bonds with us and the nurses take care of us. We have a good time going on trips; we went to the movies last week and bowling is coming up…Some people go to outpatient programs and when they leave they go back to their old ways, but here they take care of you so all you have to do is work on staying healthy.”
--Male resident