Ellen's Home of Port Washington

Concerned Daughter

I placed my mother at Ellen's home this past Spring, as recommended by a placement agency. We were extremely disappointed in the care my mother experienced. I removed her before the month was up due to lack of staff and care. Many of the services promised were not carried out. For example, she did not get a shower for the first 10 days of residence. Her laundry wasn't done in those 10 days either. We were promised a nurse practitioner would be coming in the next few weeks and help assess her for medication to help her with anxiety and help her sleep. We were there approximately 27 days and never once saw a health care provider. One of the most humiliating experiences my mother went through was when she had a bathroom accident in her own bathroom. As I was entering her hallway, I knew something was wrong from the odor leading into her room. No one had properly clean her up (feces on ankle and hands), left all the soiled cleanup toweling and clothing in her garbage bin and wash basket, which made her entire room and hallway smell terrible. They left feces smeared on the toilet and floor. There was feces on her recliner and in her bed. She was sobbing and so embarrassed. When I asked the care givers what happened, no one took responsibility for it or even apologized. They just looked at each other. I ended up emptying her garbage and cleaning up her bathroom. I also put her dirt laundry in a bag and gave it to another worker to take to the laundry. On another occasion, I asked an LPN on duty how she was doing, she replied, "Your mother is mean!" My mother is a stroke patient with dementia who was recently removed from her home, separated from her husband and had to give up her dog. Of course she's angry and sad and confused. I observed many times workers talking to my mom disrespectfully and without any compassion. Another time I had to take my mom to the ER. We received treatment and returned to Ellen's around 1:15 in the morning, and the main, front doors were unlocked and no one was at the front desk. We walked right it! When I stayed for dinner with my mom, which was often, I was the only one interacting with the residents. They all ate in silence. The few staff members that were helpful and caring, stated that they couldn't get enough help, especially capable help. This is exactly what I observed. It was a very sad situation. Please do not leave your loved ones there!

Carl

It was very nice, clean, and pretty modern. The people I talked to seemed very caring and nice. The rooms are clean, pretty modern, and have plenty of room. I saw they were playing bingo and cards. Some were doing some kind of craft.

Suzan166223

It is nice, small, and clean. The staff is very attentive and keeps the residents very busy with lots of activities. The food has been good. My father is eating three meals a day and is never hungry. The dining area is nice and a little older but has nice tables and chairs. People sit at different tables, so it is more like a restaurant.