White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing

AnnaFitz

Both of my parents resided at White Oaks. I was not legally in charge of their care. Mom was beaten up during her first year there. It was not her first injury, nor her last (the photos I have would shock people). Daily visits found mom either unattended in bed or in the dayroom, always dirty. She was forced to sit in soiled diapers for hours, especially near shift change or during lunch/break. Her room was usually dirty and finding roaches were common place. My mom had severe dementia so she could not advocate for herself. I tried as best I could. Mom died from an abscessed tooth that she had for over a month before a dentist came to see her. That dentist came the day before she died, while on hospice. As did the podiatrist who charged for nail cutting, but hardly ever did without complaints. My mom died with bedsores on her back and her heels. Roaches crawled across her death bed. She ran out of oxygen more than once and standard prescribed hospice drugs were hardly administered. I begged for her to be moved for hospice so her death could be more dignified. That did not happen. Dad died days after he was transferred to “get his meds adjusted.” He pushed a resident who always entered his room, or my mom’s, to take stuff or lay in their beds (even if they were in it). He was the same resident who punched me in the chest (documented); and yes, the same one believed by admin to have beaten up my mom shortly after my dad passed. He remains there today. Dad was transferred to Plainview Hospital heavily sedated, and within a couple of days transferred to a hospice facility and died. My dad was walking, talking, eating and coherent the day he was transferred to the hospital. Then within a couple of days, he was gone. He had been there 6 months. My mom struggled through 3 years. I constantly urged admin to get cameras in the residents’ common areas, hallways, and especially the dayroom. Right now, they are outside the administration offices. Nurses’ stations are situated where nurses cannot see into any resident hallways, rooms or much of the dayroom, where most residents are left all day. Residents’ families are not allowed to place cameras because of NYS law. That needs to change. Admin needs to do more to protect residents and improve the care they receive. The County and State agencies need to do a more thorough job reviewing facilities. The system allows increasing profits to outdo improved resident care; government to turn a blind eye, and “audits” are done during agreed upon times and look at minimal case files. I encourage anyone considering this facility to look elsewhere, and if you have family there visit often and be an advocate for your loved one.

ConcernedLovedOne

For the most part staff does not take good care of residents, especially those that need the most attention. The reason given is always under staffing, but it is up to the facility to hire more, pay better and mostly vet those applicants and observe what goes on "in the back." Most admin never visit the units and if they do it is for a purpose and then seem to have blinders on. The rooms are often littered with papers, paper towels, etc. and residents clothing is tossed about in the room and closets. Roaches have been observed. Many staff members do not have the patience for the patients. Especially if they have any mental issues. Aside from the brief time some get to spend with recreation, residents are usually sitting in the main room with little to no activity or interaction. There is no soft place to sit for any still mobile except their bed. The cafeteria is the dayroom. Must be why they work so hard getting every resident wheelchair bound.

someoneschild

This place and its residents are not clean or well cared for. Yes, the main lobby and the admin offices are all bright and fresh. But the residents and their rooms are a different story. Residents' faces are always dirty if they cannot ask for them to be cleaned or clean themselves. Tables are not wiped down after meals. You can smell the soiled diapers that residents are left in for hours, and most staff do not react quickly to any of issues. If they are on a break, or lunch, or on duty watching the main room, then their residents sit as is. And if something occurs close to off duty time, they leave it for the next shift. These poor residents, many of whom will stay here the rest of their lives, are not treated with the respect they deserve.

Joseph

The staff at White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center seems to be friendly and pleasant. The first fourteen days after he moved from the hospital into the facility, my father was quarantined. Even though my dad was negative, they still had a quarantine. It was very limited, and I was only able to see him and say hello through the window. After the initial evaluation and diagnosis, they said they would call me in about three weeks to let me know, so they didn't really give me much of the information that they collected during the first two weeks. We talked with people and a doctor, and they all talked about their game plan and that he would be reevaluated in three weeks. Other than that, I don't get daily updates. If I call and ask the social worker to call me back because I have a concern, she always calls me back within twenty-four hours. She tries to answer my questions as best she can. His room has a television, a bed, and a bathroom -- nothing extraordinary, but definitely clean. They clean them all the time, and they were nice. Some of the food he likes, and some of it he doesn't like. Right now, the only activity that he's been doing is rehabilitation. He has occupational therapy and physical therapy.

machs

My mom has been at White Oaks in Woodbury for one year. They take wonderful care of her. I am there daily do I see first hand how things are run there. The facility is extremely clean. They care what you, the family, and the residence feel and act on your suggestions and requests. They have several activities during the day. I would like to see a few additional activities especially on the weekends but overall it is fine. My mom is mentally great but needs help with her physical needs. Our experience with the aides have been mostly great. if there are issues ,and on occasion there is bound to be , they take your concerns very seriously . My mother is very happy there and we are blessed to have found White Oaks . At present we are living through the Corona Virus. Of course we are very concerned for everyone’s well being. The administration does send out emails several times a week keeping us up to date on what is happening with the facility and it’s residents. They are strict as to how they follow the states mandates which gives me great comfort. Thank you for all you do to keep my mother and others safe.