Hebrew Home of Greater Washington

awarefam

My mom is a current resident at this nursing home. I am very worried that my mother is having to sit in soiled diapers for hours on end. Any time I am visiting, it seems a burden to the nurses or nurses aid(s) to have to get up from their chairs at the nursing station to change my mother. My mother tries to get up herself but cannot. I know it is devastating for her to have to ask for help. My mother said to me, “they are rough with me, but I know they probably don’t mean to be.” This is wrenching. I wish this would improve for my Mom and all residents. To me, this is neglect.

Joyce Hoffman

Horrible place. Staff cold and lacks any compassion for their patients. Think warehousing. Do not place yourself or your loved one in this environment.

Paula

I live in a community called Hebrew Home of Greater Washington and it's predominantly Jewish. The apartments are small. Generally, you get two rooms, your bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, a foyer, and a bathroom. It's a clean building. It's not luxurious or anything. I was kind of desperate, but it worked for a desperate person. It served my needs very well. There are several buildings. There's one where they have nursery school and recreation, a swimming pool, and stuff. Then they have one for short-term rehab, one for assisted living, and then the one I live in is independent living. We have a dining room where you pay a monthly fee and you get dinner. Right now, it's closed because of COVID, so they're bringing the meals to your apartment now. For real old people, they have a lot of areas where you can walk. We have an indoor gym, but it's small. We don't have the amenities that people that live in luxury senior buildings have. They have a lot of activities. It's a big area and one area is where they have the nursery school and the swimming pool and all of that. They don't allow children in our area because of COVID unless they want to visit their grandparents. Value for the money out of 100% is about 70%. This is a community for a specific religion, but you don't have to be Jewish to live here. You can bring your little dog. The communities around here are very nice because this is the Rockville part of Bethesda, and they're building it up to be just fabulous. You have to have the money though. They have a staff of healthcare people that help you wash clothes and take a bath. My pet peeve is there's a lot of walking to the bus stop. Bus stops don't seem to be in the residential areas, but it's a beautiful area and it's very well- kept.

Provider Response

Ophelia_Hamatu

Perhaps Hebrew Home was a good facility in the past, but no more. Do not place your loved one in this facility. The nursing staff does not meet residents' basic needs, nor do they provide a caring environment. This is a harsh place, especially for people who are there because of a terminal illness. They are not capable of treating patients with care and dignity. Avoid this place at all costs.

Provider Response

portj123

Facility looks nice when entering. The rehab resident room floors are like any other rehab facility layout. The staff is just ok. They do the bare minimum to get by. I could easily say the dining and housekeeping staff works the most. The nurses are adequate overall. There are some shining stars in the nursing staff, but too few. The rehab staff (PT and OT) has only one personable therapist. The other PT/OT therapists are rude, condensing, and seem uninterested in patient outcomes or helping the patient/resident achieve predetermined outcomes within their plan of care. The rehab staff makes it very challenging for residents by never adhering to a therapy schedule, popping in when the therapist chooses to see the resident rather than keeping the prearranged appointment time thus keeping the rehab resident in limbo every day hoping they receive care - easily a form of emotional abuse to the resident. This facility could easily be the best in it's class, but the staff needs sensitivity training because the Hebrew Home is warehousing rather than truly caring for our most precious commodity, the elderly!

Thankful517

March 2020 to present has been very challenging for my father and our family. Please read carefully, We admitted our father to Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in 2013. He has been cared for and treated with respect from day one. COVID19 showed my family what Hebrew Home of Greater Washington is made of - The TEAM at Hebrew Home of Greater Washington put in place and executed their PLAN immediately. We thank the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington for their past caring services and most definitely their present OUTSTANDING caring service.

20852-2021

My experience in the nursing home was poor due to a handful of mean-spirited staff who ignored when I needed assistance. This was scary at times as I could not move or take care of myself. There was little adherence to my standing order for medication and so sometimes I got it 2 or 3 hours late which caused problems. I was left to sit in soiled diapers because the manager preferred that her staff check-in and administer care on a schedule rather than when needed. This proved humiliating. There were times when I was talked at and reprimanded for things I had no control over, bringing me to tears as I realized I was looked at as a burden. Rather than compassion and quality care, I was merely tolerated. I am thankful that my family visited regularly and recognized the problems. They moved me quickly but I think about those who are left there without someone to monitor the quality of care. There were three caregivers that provided me comfort and good care but they were not there everyday. I think they felt powerless to change the things they saw even when they knew it was not right.

RockvilleMoCo

During one of the most difficult times in our family's life, the experience at the Hebrew Home Nursing Home was beyond frustrating and stressful. While there were certainly some caregivers who were genuinely caring and conscientious, there also staff who were indifferent, insensitive, and unkind. It was scary to know that our family member was at the "mercy" of ill-tempered staff, especially given the inability to do certain things independently. When we attempted to communicate about anything, we were met with hostility and a true lack of compassion. Communication felt downright combative (!!) we dared not challenge the abrupt, condescending, insensitive, and offensive treatment. I will never be able to recommend this facility. We were so grateful for outside advocates to help get our family member to a facility where there is now true care, compassion, and a focus on dignity. There needs to be more oversight and quality control in the care given to our most vulnerable population and I implore the administration to monitor the calls and interactions for quality control or provide a way for families to report incidents, especially given that the worst offender in our case was the floor manager/head nurse (of 5 North). Covid restrictions further exacerbated the situation because we could not physically check on our family member who called crying and pleading to leave this facility. I am thankful for the kindness of some and angry at the mean spirited, intolerant, and impatience of others that caused my family member to experience a great deal of stress over things that were a result of the condition and illness that brought them there to begin with.

Reviewer#RD0407

My friend is in Hebrew Home of Greater Washington. Usually they are kind, nice and helpful, but sometimes just trying to reach them and find out how things are, it is a little difficult. That's the only thing, but everything else is alright. It is a big place. It looks efficient and it runs very well. She has been there for a few weeks now. The place is fine and there are many people, but sometimes to call and reach people to ask questions is not easy. I am pretty sure they are taking good care of her and that she is fine because she looks very peaceful when I see her on Facetime. I have seen the outside and the building is very nice.

Janice1234

The rehab place is the worst run place I have ever encountered. We sent our dad there before, and something has happened. The patients are ignored. They don't care about the well being, and he is worse off then when he got there. He has rashes, bruises, and worsening symptoms. Stay far far away from this place. They lie and can't keep staff. They don't listen or look at the intake papers. If you want your loved ones in one piece go elsewhere.

ratherdisappointed

Don't take a room across from a nurse's station as they are incredibly noisy at night and sleep will be challenging. The food is poor quality which is odd since the assisted living food is supposed to be excellent. PT and staff physician were excellent, really high quality; nursing care was mediocre. Bathing not provided without some nagging, pain meds not given on time. Don't think we would use this facility again.

Annick

My mom (88 years old) stayed at Hebrew Home recovering from hip fracture after a fall and after Covid. Her stay has been so wonderful, nurses were so devoted, the doctor was very thorough and very dedicated. She did not miss anything during her daily examination of my mom. The physical therapists were so helpful, pushing her when they felt she could walk more. The equipment room has everything and is up to date with all the equipments. The place is very inviting, very clean. The food according to my gourmet mother is so tasty. After 35 days there, she is home and uses all the tools she was taught for walking. She enjoyed all the caretakers so much, she wanted to stay longer. If anyone needs a rehab facility, this is the best place. A special shoutout and thank you to Ruth, Dr. Amsler, Oscar, Jennifer, Pascal, Julia, Sharon, and so many others that have made my mom’s stay comfortable. She felt like being home. Thank you Hebrew Home for being the best standard in rehab.

concerned1111222

Acute rehabilitation patients are ignored when in need of assistance. Nurse call button is moved out of patient’s reach if they call for assistance more than once in a night. If your loved one wears a diaper, know that they will not be changed often, waiting 1/2 hr or more for clean up. If your loved one is handicapped and can’t get to a sink on their own, they’re left with filthy hands. Nobody who cares about their loved one should leave them in this abusive facility. I’ve heard interaction with the health aides there, they are too often impatient with your loved one. There are no activities for the handicapped who are left in their rooms alone. The physical therapist is good but don’t expect the gym equipment will be used often.

LRKA

I have been a rehab patient twice at Hebrew Home and both times I was more than satisfied. The rehab for knee replacement was excellent, but the treatment I received later, for another, systemic, disease was remarkable. The nurses were consistently attentive, kind and helpful. The food was good for an institution. The rooms are beautiful: clean, roomy, and convenient. Ample diversions are available (even a painting session!). I would not hesitate to go there again should it be necessary.

Elaine Robnett Moore

My aunt is 99 yrs old, wheelchair-bound, and due to a stroke unable to care for herself or stand. This is an excellent facility for her and others. Her room is sunny, cheery, comfortable. The staff is magnificent from the doctors, nurses, and very important her daily caregivers, as well as the culinary personel and custodial crew. She has been here 4 yrs and has had the same personal caregivers the whole time. They are loving, attentive, professional, empathetic and compassionate. The staff knows her. They treat her as family, as royality. Before COVID-19 I visited her at least twice a week and know 1st hand, there have been no issues because they are thorough and her care is consistently great. If she gets a hangnail I receive a call the moment it is discovered day or night. There are musical events, crafts, bingo, movies and more. There are special events for holidays that include family. Amenities - a library,a conservatory, lounges, chapel, garden, several pianos for the residents, a hair and nail salon, and more.

Willey

The room was small but kept clean and actually having the bathroom steps away from the bed made it easier for my husband to get there. The staff was always helpful and aware of my husbands needs. They were very concerned when he was having trouble walking and tried to help. In the end he needed more surgery in his back and that solved the problem. The home offers various extras such as haircut and washes, different programs and religious services. They were helpful.

MIKAHA

The nursing staff, with very few exceptions, is atrocious. My relative was here for sub-acute rehab after a major hip surgery -- she needed to learn to walk again after over three weeks in a hospital. The nurses and aides routinely ignored her requests for help (for example, they would not help her lift her legs to the bed when she was unable to do so herself), would yell at her if she asked simple questions (for example, when she asked what her blood pressure was, the nurse shoved the monitor in her face and said "read it yourself"), and often had to be asked 3 or 4 times before they would place orders for necessary meds. I witnessed all of these things while spending time at the Hebrew Home with my relative. One of the worst things i witnessed was when the nurse left the room as my relative was slowly walking to the bathroom with her walker -- my relative was unsteady on her feet after the hip surgery and at an ENORMOUS risk of falling, but the nurse (or aide) couldn't be bothered to stay in the room to assist. I helped her to the bathroom, wiped her once she was done, changed her clothes, brushed her teeth, and got her back to bed, and all the while the cal button was beeping and nobody came to help. That said, we were very pleased with the PT and OT staff, they were excellent, and there were one or two aides who seemed to genuinely care for their patients.

Sister and Daughter

Service excellence: This is my second experience of havinh a family member in the rehab unit. The care is exception) from the perspective of aervice, caring and clinical expertise. We never had to put on rhe call light because the staff routinely checked in as well as anticipted the needs. Another plus is that the food is aiperb!

Patient Advocate 1

Just on day 2 saw two roaches on the walls, and heard staff talking about someone saying they saw roaches. The wheelchair they brought my father was filthy and smelled singly of urine. I took the coushion off that seemed like it was never cleaned, and proceeded to clean the filthy chair. I cleaned it 3 times before the smell subsided.

Charine

I had a thorough tour of Hebrew Home. It was very neat and up-to-date. It had friendly staff. There seemed to be something going on every day, so the residents were very active. The rooms were clean, neat, and very well put together in terms of amenities. The staff was very knowledgeable.

ddeariso

I visited here and was interested in moving my brother here. I filled out the application and the nursing home my brother is in submitted his medical information and we have not heard anything back from them concerning my brothers admission. We have called several times to ask about the status and have been given the runaround. for 3 months now. I am just glad I found out about the bad/corrupt administration here before I moved my brother.

Stephanie41

We love Hebrew Home. My friend was in rehab there for five weeks. The food was not that good, and the dining area was like a cafeteria. However, they have to keep kosher, and because of that, food is not that delicious. Nevertheless, they have the most incredible rehabilitation weight machine and treadmill. Their equipment for rehab was fabulous.

Anonymous119379450

Hebrew Home of Greater Washington is a very good facility. The staff is very attentive, and very responsive. The rooms are kept clean, and adequate. It is not luxurious. The food is very good.

squidy

If you care about your loved one, send them somewhere else. Although the therapy is good, and some of the nurses are good, some of the aides are HORRIBLE! The so-called activities are non-existent. We were forced to pay out of pocket for a private duty aide just so our mother could get the care that she needed without being yelled at.

Caring101117050

We are going to move my mom to Hebrew Home. We chose this place because they had a good Medicare rating and they had a very nice facility. When we went to see it, it was all clean and the residents seemed happy and engaged. They had a very good physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy component. Their long-term rooms were large. Even the rooms that were shared, they were large enough that they can bring their own chair or dresser. They can decorate it. You can make it very homey. It did not look like a hospital room. There were residents that had been there six or seven years and they told me that they really just loved it. There were all kinds of activities all day long, i.e., music, bingo, games, outside trips, religious services, and dancing. You name it, they have all of that type of stuff. My mom is blind and most facilities aren't equipped to deal with patients that are totally blind, but this is one of the ones that did have experience with that. We have eaten meals with my mom at this place. Food was good though as good as institutionalized food can be. The residents were super happy there, so the meals and attention, etc., couldn't have been that bad, or else they would not be happy.

Jeanette7

My mom needs extra care because of her condition and the nurses at Hebrew Home are very attentive and focused on her needs, round the clock, to make sure that she is well taken care of. She's not treated like a number she is treated as a person. They are very good.

Caring305

Mom's been there for about three weeks now. The whole family chose the place because it was very highly recommended for a physical therapy and I believe mom was treated well. I guess more menu options would be nice, although I don't know if that's even an option because it's a Kosher facility. But I would recommend this facility to others.

Caring738

Right at this moment my mom has improved much more quickly than we thought. I was happy about that. She has been to Hebrew Home for about 3 weeks. They all have different levels of care. Our family chose it from the option that's available. We like best about them is the fact that it was highly recommended for physical therapy. She was treated well and she's very happy during her stay in the facility. I will definitely recommend this facility to others.

sam301

Overall I am satisfied with the care I received at the Hebrew Home. The food was significantly better than the hospital I was discharged from. The staff encourages group dining to foster a sense of community. There are daily activities that I was allowed to attend. There are also many volunteers that come by to help with the activities or simply visit with the residents. I had my own room. It was quiet and well furnished, almost like a hotel room. The bathrooms were, of course, accessible.Each day I had a daily session of physical therapy and occupational therapy. The therapists were friendly, and the equipment was plentiful and not in bad condition. I would also be checked by a doctor daily to monitor my general health and the nurses tended to my surgical site (drainage, bandages, etc.)Visitors are allowed at any time, and the process is handled by a front desk on the ground floor. The residents live on the 2nd floor and above.

Guilio

I found this faculty to be a terrible place. The building and its rooms were in disrepair and unclean. The staff at the faculty were unkind and appeared unwilling to aide the patients calling for them.I witnessed one patient asking a caregiver for her daily medication. She was ignored and so she asked once again for her medication. After a third request, the caregiver turned to the elderly patient and told her to, "Shut the ---- up!" and then left the room.Overall, I would hope no one I know ever ends up living in this place. The patients are so very poorly taken care of and clearly, for the most part, are very unhappy.

Duke Lawliet

After working a Summer volunteering at the Hebrew Home, I left utterly disgusted. After being barely trained by a surly and miserable head of volunteers, I was assigned to the fourth floor. Not one day into the job, I was stunned by the absolute inefficiency. It was infuriating to have to prepare the consistently requested iced tea at lunch cup by cup, as opposed to just making a pitcher, and being given conflicting duties. What really disturbed me though, was how cruel, and uncaring the nurses are. The nurses, many of whom could barely speak English, were horrible to the patients, or, as the volunteers came to view them, the inmates. I remember them teasing one poor woman who was confused, and convinced they had stolen her car keys. Oftentimes, residents were left sitting in their own waste, no one caring to aid them. The one thing I can say in the Hebrew Home's defense is that the rooms were spacious and well appointed, and accommodations were made for special cases, such as a traditional futon being provided to an elderly Japanese couple. I would not recommend this nightmare of an establishment to anyone.

R.L

While visiting my family member at this facility, we experienced that the staff were nice to us and very accommodating. But that not the case for my family member who was there. He was neglected to some extend where ended up have bed sores, he leg was fractured because he wanted to go the bathroom but no one came to assist him. There were times when his physical therapy classes were not handled properly or he was not taken to either. The facility was kept very clean, I would recommend them for that and meals were served on time as well. the bed linens were changed regularly as well. But there were times when we visited our family member his room would give a certain smell, that was hard to ignore and be able to stay in the room at the same time.The assistance would sometimes compliant about other living who were living there which was very offensive to me personally.overall, I would not recommend this facility to any other family.

kkraft

My grandmother had severe Alzheimers Disease and she spent the last few months of her life here. The nurses and doctors took good care of her and she passed away here eventually. We have a very large family ( she had 40 grandshildren) and the entire family was welcome to be with her there at the final moment. The nurses brought us all chairs and attended to our every need. They never complained about the crowd and seemed to be making the best of what could be a a sad work environment. I was very impressed with this facility and highly recommend it.

SunnyDay1

In the Summer of 2010, I volunteered for two months at the Hebrew Home in Rockville Maryland, and found the experience to be abysmal. Nurses were unqualified, and instructed me to preform tasks I was not trained for, such as disconnecting residents from oxygen tanks. Supervision was poor, and many patients were found wandering unattended. Nurses were dismissive and cruel to patients, taunting them when they became confused and emotional. Living quarters were cramped and utilitarian, and offered little privacy. Food was mediocre, clearly not providing adequate nutrition, and lacking flavor and variety. One highlight was physical therapy, but even there, negligence, and a general lack of understanding of patients problems prevailed. Overall, I was disgusted with the conditions presented.