CareOne at The Highlands

RG1965

I was REALLY impressed with the care my father received at this facility. He stayed for more than 10 weeks, so we provided a really good test of how they performed. My father liked it immediately. He felt like he was making progress in his recovery, just by being in a place that was homier, and that encouraged him to dress in street clothes rather than a hospital gown. Bernadette was the person who enrolled him. A huge issue for us was that he needed transportation for treatments at RWJ Hospital in New Brunswick. Bernadette arranged it quickly and efficiently. The culture of the whole facility was really positive, too. At one point, when my mom and I were looking in to her office to see if Bernadette was available, someone else asked if she could help. The woman explained that Bernadette was in a meeting, but that she could ask her to leave the meeting. We told her we’ll wait. Her response was, “Are you sure? We don’t mind interrupting meetings to address the concerns of our patients and their families.” WOW, that left a fantastic impression! That caring culture was also on display in all the little things that happened over the 10 weeks. For instance, any time the paper towel dispenser jammed, they fixed it within a few minutes. Any time my dad would ring the bell for a nurse, whoever was available (nurse or not) would come quickly to see what he needed. It might still take a little while to address his need, but he at least knew he was not being ignored. Moreover, when my dad wanted to get out for an afternoon, the physician, Dr. Gandhi, allowed us to sign him out. They just wanted to know where he was so they could plan around the outing. The Director of Rehab, Joe, coordinated to make sure that any therapy he needed – occupational, speech or physical – would be flexibly coordinated around his occasional outings, so that his progress would not stop. Dr Gandhi also arranged to have his daily nutrition shipped to his home each month upon his release. Amy, the dietician, originally had him on a 1700+ calorie diet, on which his weight plateaued. When we pointed out that he stopped gaining (even though 1700+ was the medically-approved standard), she agreed to allow him to increase to 2100+ to see how he tolerated it. We appreciated that she was open to increasing the caloric dosage, rather than doggedly adhering to what was no longer working. My dad was also really impressed with the fact that everyone on the staff knew his case, whether they were assigned to him or not. Whenever he worked with a new therapist, she already knew his specific needs. But he was most impressed with the compassion displayed by all his physical/occupational therapists, especially Dhiane. They all made sure he was doing his moves properly, but Dhiane was especially kind. He noticed that she was kind to every patients who came in after him, so he realized this is just who she is. His speech therapist, Alex, could also not have been more helpful. She was organized, took notes and customized lessons to strengthen his weaknesses. Alex accepted his goal of eating real food (albeit liquefied) by Thanksgiving as her goal, and appreciated his level of motivation. Lauren was also very helpful in getting him released permanently before Christmas. His daily treatments ended on Dec 13, but they wanted to observe him a little longer under medical supervision. Lauren arranged all the at-home things he needs to care for himself, as well as nutritional shakes to maintain his weight. The experience at Care One has not been perfect. Over 10 weeks, he occasionally encountered a staff member who was not as flexible as others. The other negative was that the place consistently smelled like urine, even though they did everything humanly possible to keep the place clean. Apparently, the smell was coming from some of the other patients, which I guess they can't help. Even still, I recommend this facility wholeheartedly!

xmasavt2010

Was really great. Just stopped in to get some information regarding costs and such. Facility was in tip top shape and it didn’t smell like a lot of other nursing and rehab facilities that I visited.

jjcjr29

Great faculty for nursing and rehab. The nurses and aides are great. Took care of my friends dad really well. All the managers are great and I wouldn’t send a loved one anywhere else! Rooms are clean and comfy and the food has really improved.

jjackson3

The facility looks beautiful after the new renovations. Patients look happy and well taken care of. The staff seemed very nice and attentive, starting with admissions and of course including nursing, rehab and administration. I have met the Director of nursing, Alexandra who proved to be very attentive, caring and knowledgeable, all my questions were answered and all my fears were alleviated. I also met Maurice the administrator who was very helpful as well. Definitely an A+ from me.

Thomas Alva

Care-giving staff excellent, for my mother's increasing, inevitable, medical complications. Always groomed, as alert as could be, all promises made at her Admission, kept.

Jlynmsw

I found this place to be an administrative nightmare. Phone messages requesting a call back were ignored. I could not get them to fill out a simple insurance form despite multiple requests from myself and the insurance company. In desperation I called staff members in different departments looking for help. They did try to help but it eventually took a call to Corporate Headquarters to get final resolution. I have never written a negative review before but this place nearly cost my family member his claim with long term care insurance...not to mention the stress and anxiety to our family. By the way, Corporate was wonderful... curious and efficient. I should have called them sooner!. Family member has been moved and we are all much happier.

jjmanagement

amazing, always on top of their stuff.

User001

Really getting great at what they do, now under construction to update the inside, it is looking great. friendly staff ++

AlexaB

Excellent facility, excellent staff, excellent care

disgusted son

This place is HORRIBLE, very dirty, staff and nurses are very rude and uncareing. To say this place is a medical facility is a untrue statement. They left my mother in the bathroom for hours at a time. My sister had to tend to my mothers needs ,as far as cleaning her up after accidents. Im appalled that this place is in bussiness and employs staff that does not have a clue about health care needs. My girlfriend is a nurse so i have some idea of what proper medical care is, and this place is no where near that. I gave them one star because giving them negative stars was not a option. I hope someone from the AMA looks into this places routines and condems the whole operation. Im sure not one single employee would let any of their family members stay here ,even the ones they might not like. It disgusts me that they get away with their daily routine of not giving a care about any patient. My mothers last nurse looked like she was close to being a 100 years old and could barely walk by herself ,let alone provide medical care. Is this a common thing out on the east coast? And why does the upper management allow this to go on. Im sure it is a money thing and not a compassion for suffering patients.. the whole thought of the care my mother recieved just sickens me..

Shari D.

My dad has been at Care One At The Highlands. They have occupational and physical therapists who work really well with the patients. Some patients are resistant to the activities, but they use physical therapists through caring and concern about the patients. They're trying to get them to the next level where they can operate on their own, so they show tough love. I have seen people who could barely get around when they first got in there, but after 3 or 4 weeks, they're up and moving around and have the ability to come inside and outside to get fresh air. They go into a group physical therapy area where they do physical therapy together, which is almost like an aerobics class. They do a lot for the patients. The facility has long term care, and it's huge. They also seem to be very caring. They scale back according to what the patient's needs are, but they're still giving my dad physical therapy to some degree. They really have worked well with him and with us. Sometimes -- especially on weekends -- it can be a little challenging to get the nurses' attention. It takes a while to get them to respond. The physical therapists are the ones who take it up a notch and balances out some of the shortcomings of the nursing staff.

Nan. Bagan

My dad spent 4 months at Care One. Initially, we had some concerns with call light response time and phones not answered in a timely manner. These concerns were shared with the administrator and DON, who immediately addressed it. Dad has made great progress at Care One. We are very grateful to Dr. Shah, the Rehab Team who were able to get him to stand and walk with assistance! The Nurses and aides are very friendly, polite, and took great care of him. His skin was perfect- no breakdown, even though he spent a lot of time in bed. The rooms and facility are very clean. His puree diet was tasty and was well presented. Staff is very friendly and helpful..I would like to thank the entire Team at Care One for taking such great care of my Dad. I wish the entrance of the building was not used as the designated smoking area.-the only reason I didn't rate as 5 stars..

Albert118677

My father was in Care One for rehab. The staff was very good and very friendly. The room had 2 beds. I think they’re very good, very professional, and quick to respond.

Caggiano2007

i had two surgeries one for foot and one in Hernia burst I stayed in hospital for a week and transport to Care One At the Highlands On June 3rd They put me first room It look dull and dirty smellly and I told them I don't want this room I want go other room so I found other room perfect It was ok I did brought my own Hand Sanitizer and alcohol wipes To clean overbed table bed rail and head board and foot board U know I did see many germs fingerprints . The foods is ok except pasta is too salty My mom did bring foods from home, I did bring my own fork spoon and knife.. WHen I was in Hospital I wore hospital gown I asked Nurse should I change before I transport the nurse said keep with u to Rehab. When I was in this place I keep Hospital gown to cover pillow I did write name on gown. I told nurse do not take my gown the hospital gave me. i slept on pillow covered with my gown for a month. Social worker was very rude with and Billing Office was rude and nasty. I was supposed be home only one week or 12 days i told them sorry my surgery dr said one more week to stay SO the doctor called my insurance to pre certifcation approved extended stay before social worker called my insurance I went back dr again and doctor said last monday it was still not heal and still infection and draining after doctor and Doctor said stay one more week til monday stay in rehab ok Dr called insurance for extended . I went back to rehab/nursing home again after doctor I told social worker Sorry I am not going home this week I am staying one more week til monday Social Worker has some nerve and She look not so thrill She call insurance change to shorter than 1 week My doctor couldnt believe it I asked Social worker what doctor said Social worker said " I don't care what your doctor said i told them i did call insurance they said always approved for extended stay They wouldn't listen what I said. Next day Wednesday morning Social Worker look happy and saying in body language with hand You going home this friday you going home this friday I got the feelings she want to get rid of me social worker thinks I was ok. I stayed In rehab for almost 1 month. Also at the rehab Therapy was great but becareful peddler wasn't clean many people used hands they should kept clean before other patients use it. also Weight bar wasnt clean When I'm finished with therapy I always wash my hands and used hand sanitzer. Two days ago one patient vomit in hall they didn't clean it carpet when I saw it spot I wheelchair moved different direction to keep away from touching wheels. Also some nurses assistance should repects patients room turn light off when they were sleeping they leave light on when they leave the room I said oh no wtf. I walk slowly turn light off went back to sleep You wouldn't believe it what I saw I saw bugs in therapy room and other room but Not in patients room. Yesterday My last day I don't even want to see social worker face when she walk by or came by i turn away she hurt me enough to rid of me .. I was sitting wheel chair out in hall using wifi and I was watching each room button light flash call for help Many patients each room were waiting longer period of time. I see that many nurses sitting talking ignored the lights flash. SO now I am home today I should have pick Care One in different location in NJ I wish I shouldn't pick this place Care One at The Highlands. Next time if anything happens to me I will pick other locations in Paramus NJ was best and cleI

Jacey1234

For physical and occupational therapy, this is an excellent facility. Some nursing staff are not as diligent as they should be, especially when it comes to medication; you have to know what pills you're supposed to be getting when; one time i was given another patient's meds!. Doctor assigned to me was not someone i would ever go to again; getting in touch with her, even getting to see her, was often challenging which impeded my recovery. Kidney doctor however was great and very much on top of things. One aide i had was outstanding and made my stay much more tolerable. Social worker was good. Place was kept clean. Food was definitely better than i would have expected for this kind of facility, and there were options if you didn't want the meal of the day.

hoja

HORRIBLE PLACE !!!!! If patient cannot get up and help themselves, then they are doomed. Takes forever for nurse or aid to come if ever ! Daily hygiene is a joke, teeth brushing....forget it. Floors are not cleaned daily. Aid complained about having to move patient in lounge chair because the chair is heavy to push.....duh !!! It's what you are getting paid for ! When going to desk for info or help, you are ignored...no one lifts their head to acknowledge you, I know they are busy but after 5 minutes you'd think someone would ask if they could help you. Food is dry and over cooked....better bring food to the patient when you visit. The phone and nurse button, when it works, is usually put on a table where the patient cannot reach it. Patient cannot leave bed yet someone used and left the bathroom a MESS, toilet was not even flushed. Patient was not put in night clothes, slept in clothes they wore all day. I know these places are under staffed, so why keep accepting people or just hire more help......and people that care about helping ! Events are held for the patients but no one responds to take them to the proper room. Each time I visit it's always a negative experience. I thought Genisis in Westfiled was bad, had a relative there once, this place is worse. There is one physical therapist that actually does care and has a heart, an angel....thank God !!! Not sure there is a nice nursing-rehab center anywhere, only visited 3 in my life and I pray to God that this patient gets well and never has to go to another so-called nursing home. This place does not "nurse" or has any feeling of a "home"......should not be called a nursing home. Care One is in need of rehab !!!

Lucido

My father in law was directed from Rahway hospital, he was basically pushed to this place, the social worker gave my wife several choices and then said he has to go to a place were the doctor is associated? Upon transfer the problems began. First, they lost his dentures, communication with staff was non existent, no one could give any information, even doctors said I don't know. The place is filthy,food on floors and ceiling for the 2 days he was there, my wife transferred him to another that looked a little better. BE ADVISED IF YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE IN ANY OF THESE PLACES YOU NEED TO BE VIGILANT, WATCHING EVERYTHING

debbiek60

My mother was pushed into this facility on Christmas Eve by the hospital after surgery on Dec 23rd for a diabetic ulcer on the side of the foot resulting in the loss of a toe. She was moved to the facility to receive intravenous IV antibiotics for 10 days. at age 78, mom is an independent woman who still works. Where do I begin? There are too many patients and not enough staff. Some nurses and aides are great but some lazy and do not offer assistance. The physical therapy department does not do a thorough evaluation of the patient or confirm their limitations with a physician. Mom was put through pt on Christmas day & after 2 addt'l days of pt, her muscles atrophied and required assistance to get into a wheelchair and to use the bathroom. (She went in able to move herself from the bed to the commode in the hospital) She is also an insulin dependent diabetic on a sliding scale, however, it was an issue with the nursing staff to be able to adjust the insulin as she does at home. All orders have to be exact with no leeway. This resulted in her sugar dropping early in the am and attempts to call for assistance were slow or un responsive. I brought in our own orange juice and snacks for mom to treat herself. She also developed a small bed sore of which I asked the head RN's and staff to check and treat but they did nothing. We were told by the hospital that the physician who treated mom in the hospital was attending there and he was not; it was an associate physician who was nice but knew nothing about mom. In one instance my mother called me at home to get a nurse for assistance to use bathroom (after the excessive pt & could not move out of bed on her own) because for 45 minutes both my mother and her room mate called for nurses and no one responded. I had to call the nurses station and get someone to go to the room. The nurse was clueless. When I arrived a half hour later, every room light signal was blinking and staff was in short supply. I spent every day in the administrative office complaining or question what they were doing. I had visited this place prior to mom being admitted and thought it was okay. It was not.

Titi82

This place was horrible. My mom had a stroke and the physical therapy dept horrible! Every time you asked a question the answer would be we have I look into it. Mom is home now, we have a physical therapist coming to the house. He said he wouldn't even send a dog to this place! Stay away.

Caring90574050

Mom came from Care One. She was there for 3 months. The rooms were dark and dreary. The rooms were more hospital-like and institutional, and they had only limited activities. They didn't have a lot of things for them to do. The food was OK. As good as the staff was, they could hire more. They're kind of stretched thin. When she first got there, she ate in the room, and then she went to the dining room, which was nice. The dining room was spacious.

Janet38

My mother was at CareOne for 7 months. The actual hands-on nursing staff, the nurses and aides were absolutely wonderful. The rooms were beautiful and the design of the facility was very comforting and it looked like you're at home. It had a very nice atmosphere, however, I was disappointed in the physical therapy department. They did a lot of rush physical therapy. They got everyone up and out early in the morning and they essentially just took the people to places and actually just sat them there and didn't really do much with them. They would take them back to their rooms and then bill Medicare. I wasn't pleased with that and they did very little with my mother because she has stroke and they needed to actually do the physical therapy on her and they weren't interested in doing that.

bob9

When first entering the facility, the staff in the reception area was very friendly and welcoming. I witnessed a new resident her family being given a tour of the more "public" areas. Going further into the facility, however, revealed a different story entirely. The nurses and other caregivers seemed to be doing only the bare minimum, oftentimes being abrupt if not flat-out rude to the residents. On several occasions, I noticed patients asking basic questions of the caregivers (eg. "when is the food coming?") who were in the room performing various tasks, only to be blown-off or sometimes even entirely ignored. On one occasion, I witnessed an argument between one of the facility's nurses and an ambulance worker. Apparently, the staff had given a patient a medication that he was allergic to, despite having paperwork that clearly indicated that that medication was not to be given. When the ambulance was called to take the patient to the hospital, the EMT demanded an explanation. After refusing to give him whatever information he asked for, the facility staff (now gathered around one of the nurses' stations) began laughing about the experience, mocking the EMT who tried to stand up for the patient. While it is possible there is a lot more to the story than I am aware of, what I did see worried me greatly. While I would hope that this sort of thing is a fluke, or the exception to the rule, I would still be hesitant to allow any of my friends or loved ones to go anywhere near this facility.