Neighbor News
As Seniors Age, Their Need for Specialized Healthcare Grows
To meet the demand, United Hebrew adds new Respiratory Therapy services. Here's how it helps seniors breathe easier.
We’re living longer than ever before, but as we age, more people find themselves managing chronic conditions, illnesses and diseases that require specialized geriatric medical services. With that in mind, United Hebrew of New Rochelle announced the addition of respiratory therapy services for its nursing home residents. “Our goal is to meet our residents’ advanced healthcare needs while ensuring a high quality of life,” says Rita Mabli, president and CEO of United Hebrew.
United Hebrew has hired Terrence Seymour as the staff respiratory therapist, announced Elaine Healy, MD, United Hebrew’s medical director and vice president of medical affairs. A 30-year veteran of respiratory care, Mr. Seymour is also an adjunct professor in Westchester Community College’s respiratory care program, and a former director of cardiopulmonary services at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, where he coordinated respiratory care services across three hospital departments and a skilled nursing facility.
“Patients admitted to our rehabilitation program and residents of our long-term care facility are more challenged with respiratory conditions than they have been in the past,” says Dr. Healy. “We are fortunate to have someone of Terrence’s caliber as part of our clinical team because he provides an extra layer of support to our medical, nursing, and rehabilitation staff.”
Mr. Seymour is now attending to residents with respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing disorders. He is also evaluating, assessing and making recommendations for the care of individuals with respiratory conditions and administering treatments such as nebulizers, inhalers, oxygen, and CPAP and BIPAP (non-invasive forms of advanced ventilation therapy) care. In addition, he is providing education to the residents and the staff on the management of respiratory illnesses.
“For the individuals in our care, having Terrence’s expertise means they can literally breathe easier,” notes Dr. Healy.
In his short tenure, Mr. Seymour helped several rehab patients eliminate the use of supplemental oxygen in advance of their discharge. He is also knowledgeable about lifestyle changes and exercise therapies that help individuals with respiratory conditions better manage their activities of daily living.
“It’s a great feeling when I can use my skills to help someone ease their breathing difficulties,” says Mr. Seymour. “It’s also rewarding to help educate our residents on how to manage and prevent respiratory conditions, which will help them live longer, and healthier lives.”
High-quality nursing home care at United Hebrew
The new services not only help United Hebrew stay ahead of the curve, they help the award-winning facility maintain its national reputation for offering the highest quality of care, according to Ms. Mabli.
“With these enhancements, we’re able to provide the highest level of care in our skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, which has been recognized as one of the nation’s best,” she said.
In fact, United Hebrew earned the distinction of being among the top 2,000 nursing homes nationwide, according to the U.S. News & World Report, which evaluated more than 15,000 nursing facilities for its “Nursing Home Finder,” a web-based decision tool to help individuals and families find long-term skilled nursing care. In addition, United Hebrew has received the “Women’s Choice Award for Extended Care,” earned by the top six percent of extended care providers (out of more than 15,600 facilities in the nation.) United Hebrew’s overall 5-star rating, based on health and safety standards, nurse staffing and care times, and quality of care, placed its nursing home among the top 9% in the nation and in New York State.
Other hallmarks of United Hebrew’s high-quality care include a staff turnover rate that is five times lower than the national nursing home average. United Hebrew’s annual turnover rate is 9.9% compared to the national average of 50%, as reported by the American Healthcare Association. United Hebrew has received accolades locally, regionally and nationally for its patient-centered care, including the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA) Eli Pick Facility Leadership award.
