Regency Staff Spotlight Archives - Page 21 of 22 - Regency Nursing & Post-Acute Rehabilitation Blog

The Beauty is in the Details!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Judah

They say “beauty is in the details”.

At Regency Nursing Centers, our team has cultivated a tradition of caring and compassion which is manifest in the myriad details applied to our facilities and programs.

The examples are numerous, but the message is always the same.

We are totally consumed by the desire to provide our residents and their families the highest caliber of care, anywhere, period.

Our programs are fluid as they are diverse. We cater to every whim, every activity, every taste, every religion, every denomination and every expectation!

Do you wish to see a few examples of our attention to detail?

No problem.

Take a look at these two pictures.

These pictures were taken in our gorgeous Regency Heritage facility in Somerset, NJ.

The picture above depicts a custom made and pricey wall art which we affixed to a stairwell door in a portion of our facility to compassionately deter Alzheimers and dementia patients from attempting to exit. Is this our only mechanism? Of course it isn’t. Rather, it is an additional compassionate and meaningful detail we thought of, to protect the dignity of our residents.

Take a look at the next picture.

See this magnificent room. This room could pass for a dining area in the most opulent home, yes?

This is actually a family meeting room, which we custom built in our Regency Heritage nursing facility, to allow for private and intimate family gatherings with their loved ones. Whether to celebrate a milestone birthday (we have numerous happy and healthy centenarian residents living at our various Regency nursing homes) or to grieve in private, this is a detail we thought of, in order to go the extra mile.

Finally, here is a declarative statement of fact for you to ponder (and research):

At Regency Nursing Homes across new jersey, we go the extra mile for our residents and families.

Call us to schedule a tour and see for yourself!

Medicare and Medicaid Cuts Affect Nursing Industry

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Judah

Mr. Tzvi Gross of our Administrative department shared an interesting article from yesterdays Wall Street Journal. The article which appears on the front page (April 15, 2013 – written by James R. Hagerty) is entitled “As America Ages, Shortage of Help Hits Nursing Homes.”

Hagerty devotes his article to pointing out the discrepancy between the exponential growth of the 65 years and older population who are projected to require nursing care, with the overall decline in nursing home staffing levels due to a number of factors, including low wages and cutbacks.

Recent draconian cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have affected staffing because operators have seen their total revenues decrease.

Taking a scalpel to Medicare and Medicaid

Part of the problem is that there is currently no Federal standard for nursing-aide staffing levels and only about two-thirds of the states set minimum levels.

In my conversation with Mr. Gross, he expressed great pride that Regency Nursing Centers have kept up exemplary staffing levels despite these national cuts to our industry.

As a result of our exceptional ratio of aides to residents, our staff attrition and turnover rate is amongst the lowest in the Country. Our aides aren’t overworked or overtaxed and therefore have the ability to achieve excellence in their caregiving and compassion.

At Regency Nursing, we recognize full well, the importance in maintaining a healthy, happy and vibrant staff, which translates to a healthy, happy and vibrant resident!

Regency Nursing,

“Where Caring Comes to Life!”

Regency Accountability

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Judah

“Defining Deviancy Down”

In 1993, then Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan published a paper in which he coined the phrase “defining deviancy down.”

He was ringing an alarm about what he saw as a dangerous social unraveling as result of our redefining deviant behavior as normal, rather than doubling down on traditional standards of behavior.

I have always referred to this phrase when witnessing unacceptable behavior packaged in layers of normalcy and hidden behind a false façade of proper conduct.

In the world of healthcare organizations, there exists deviant behavior, similar to what exists in every other sphere of life.

Sometimes, the deviant behavior starts at the top of the company hierarchy and sometimes it takes up residence somewhere in the middle.

Typically, however, when there is accountability honesty and integrity at the very top, the trickle down effect is noticeable in employees at every level.

At Regency Nursing Centers, our Founder and President takes a strong stance on seeking accountability at every level.

He is pro-actively involved in every facet of his organization and has his pulse on the quality of care in each one of his facilities.

Because there is accountability and integrity at the top, it breeds accountability integrity, and ultimately – loyalty at every level.

Regency employees and staff are heralded and well regarded for their commitment, compassion and loyalty.

Our happy families and smiling residents are a testament to this commitment and sense of responsibility towards the well being of our families and residents.

Take Our Regency Nursing & Rehab Poll!

Posted on April 8, 2013April 8, 2013 by Judah

Regency Nursing Centers Promote Transparency

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Judah

In the world of senior healthcare, many companies feel that they offer excellent and compassionate care. However, few actually proclaim this in a loud and completely transparent manner in order to force life into their thoughts.

To be transparent, is to open yourself to close scrutiny so that your actions can be properly measured against your rhetoric.

I thought about these things this morning as I made my rounds of our facility at Regency Park nursing and rehab in Hazlet, NJ.

Indeed, everywhere you turn in this beautiful building, there are openly transparent advertisements proclaiming our creed and our commitment to provide our seniors with the very best in elder care.

We offer this rhetoric because we back it up with real, tangible actions and real results.
We don’t hide behind noble thoughts and ideas.
We offer real compassionate care and we force ourselves to measure up by openly advertising these goals and objectives.

Take a look at these pictures I just snapped using my cell phone. These signs are literally all over our building!!

Regency Jewish Heritage Shines During Passover!

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Judah

Regency Jewish Heritage hosted a beautiful Passover model Seder with Rabbi David Glicksman on Monday, March 18th and a second seder on Passover. These were intimate events with the participation of many residents and their families. The families were suitably impressed with the beautiful table décor, the culinary delights (food was scrumptious and delicious!) and the compassionate help from the staff! In fact, Regency Heritage Director of Recreation, Caroline Santiago, had her staff catering to every family at their own designated table. Take a look at several pictures from the Seder!

Regency Nursing Centers Shine During Hurricane Sandy

Posted on March 21, 2013March 21, 2013 by Judah

During the recent hurricane Sandy in 2012, Regency nursing facilities across New Jersey brought in a high volume of elderly evacuees from the local hospitals and community shelters. All patients were provided with room, board and high dosages of compassion. Those who needed oxygen, nebulizers and therapy, got plenty of it as well.

Post Hurricane sandy, Regency received accolades and recognition from the entire spectrum of city and hospital officials for their exceptional handling of the crisis within their communities.

Here is a picture of me at Regency Park in Hazlet during the thick of the storm delivering balloons and a teddy bear to a new admission! We were dealing with internal issues related to the hurricane at the time and were operating off of our generators. The picture was taken by Tzvi Gross of our Administration.

The incredible testament to our impeccable handling of these affairs is that our residents, patients and their families were not adversely affected by the hurricane in the slightest!

Our dedicated staff worked overtime to provide the exceptional care which has become our hallmark and there wasn’t even the slightest discernible change in the quality of life which our residents have come to enjoy (and expect)!

Regency Park Nursing Administrator – A Lesson in Compassion

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Judah

It is a privilege to be able to spotlight Mr. Joseph Bernfeld, who is the Administrator at Regency Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hazlet NJ. In case you don’t know what he looks like, here is a photo of him with myself, my wife and children and our corporate administrator at a recent Regency event!

Pictured from left to right, is Corporate Administrator, Marty Bengio, with two of his daughters, Administrator, Joseph Bernfeld, along with Judah Gutwein, his wife and two of their children.

Since I work in the Admissions Office, I often get to tour our building with families from the community.

Invariably, we will bump into Joseph walking the halls greeting our residents and their families. When he isn’t busy looking after the successful running of our beautiful facility, he is meeting with families to offer advice and guidance.

The analogy I often use to describe the impact of his visible presence in our building is to compare and contrast with the fabled ‘Wizard of Oz’.

Here you have the all mighty and powerful Wizard who pulls all the strings, albeit in the background behind a curtain of secrecy and seclusion. We never see him or interact with him directly until the very end of the story.

This is similarly true for most nursing home administrators. You never see them or hear from them until there is a problem. They hide behind a veiled façade and there is no accountability.

Not so, with Joseph Bernfeld.

Our Administrator is a visible and reassuring presence in our building. He is available and accessible to anyone and for anything. This endearing quality is the reason he is so successful in the managing of our building, our staff, our residents and their families.

To contact Joseph Bernfeld, please call 732-264-5800

Regency Jewish Heritage – A Gem in Somerset NJ!

Posted on March 18, 2013March 18, 2013 by Judah

Tucked away in Somerset New Jersey on a sprawling and lush property, is the Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

It is considered a ‘gem’ in the community and beyond and is steeped in a rich Jewish tradition. However, Regency Jewish Heritage is known for providing compassionate care to all religious denominations. There are religious services for everyone and all religious traditions are respected and appreciated. As a result of this commitment, seniors regardless of their affiliation, make Regency their home.

Synagogue interior at Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation

I spent some time at Regency Heritage and loved to converse with the Jewish residents in their native Yiddish language. Yiddish is actually my first language and I speak it fluently in every dialect. Of course, the residents were equally thrilled to be able to ‘shmooze’ in their beloved Yiddish. Many of the Jewish residents at Regency Jewish Heritage are of European descent and grew up speaking only Yiddish in their home Country before moving to the United States.

During my time at Regency Heritage I was privileged to befriend a particular elderly Jewish man who was a scholar of high repute. The man was a brilliant Talmudist and a prolific writer and teacher.

We spent many hours discussing Talmudic topics and he would regale me with anecdotes, personal stories and his profound interpretation of the ancient Jewish texts.

When he passed away, I felt a deep sense of personal loss. The family asked me whether I’d be inclined to offer a eulogy at his funeral service and I immediately accepted.

In my eulogy I mentioned that our mandate at Regency Heritage is to offer companionship, inspiration and compassion to all of our residents regardless of faith or creed.

In this instance, instead of inspiring, I was inspired by this great man and his wisdom!

I further pointed out how part of the human condition is that we do not live in a vacuum of isolation. Rather, we are constantly interacting with people, be they family, friends, colleagues, etc. We often leave an indelible impression upon those who come in contact with. When that impression is positive, it stands as a testament to time well spent upon this earth. My friend at Regency left a profoundly positive impact with all people and he shall forever be missed.

At Regency Jewish Heritage, we care for all people. This isn’t an artificial or superficial caring. Rather, our care and compassion is deeply rooted and exceptionally meaningful to us and to our residents and their families.

Dr. Vasantha Perkari at Regency Park Nursing Center

Posted on March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 by Judah

From time to time, we spotlight some of our world class doctors who are credentialed and operate at the various Regency nursing and rehab facilities in New Jersey.

One of our superstar attending physicians at Regency Park in Hazlet, is Dr. Vasantha Perkari.

Dr. Perkari has been with us for some time and has engendered a well deserved reputation, both in the community as well as in our facility, for her expertise in medicine and above all, her incredible compassion towards her patients.

Dr. Perkari is the consummate professional and she is deeply committed to her patients.

Our nursing staff at Regency Park, loves collaborating with her and regard her with great esteem and admiration.

She is truly a “Regency Superstar” and we are grateful to have her on board!

With two convenient offices in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Vasantha Perkari has specialized in Internal Medicine in the State of New Jersey since 1989 and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Perkari is the Chief of Medicine of Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, New Jersey. She is the Chair of Internal Medicine at Bayshore Community Hospital and the Chair of the Central Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at Bayshore Community Hospital and Jersey Shore Medical Center. Dr. Perkari is also affiliated with Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey.