Searching for a supportive care community for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be challenging because such facilities are not nationally regulated. What’s more, not all obtain the same state licensures, nor do they have the same standard quality of care.
So it will come as good news to area families that a memory care community in Westchester was just recognized among America’s best: Willow Gardens Memory Care has received the 2019 Bronze — Commitment to Quality Award from the American Health Care Association (ACHA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), a leading industry association for long-term and post-acute care.
Willow Gardens is one of only four assisted living communities in New York State to receive the distinction this year (nationwide, 590 organizations received the Bronze Award).
“This recognition demonstrates our steadfast commitment to quality improvement,” said Nora O’Brien, PT, DPT, executive director, Willow Gardens Memory Care and Willow Towers Assisted Living, both located on the United Hebrew of New Rochelle senior living campus in New Rochelle. “We’re so proud of our staff, who have worked so hard to enhance the quality of life for our residents. The program is the standard of excellence in our industry, and this award signifies that we are performing well against national quality standards. It helps provide the outstanding and compassionate care our residents and their families deserve.”
The award recognizes long-term and post-acute care providers that demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors. Created in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program, which helps organizations among different industry sectors achieve best-in-class levels of performance.
The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At the Bronze level, providers develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria.
The honor is the latest earned by United Hebrew’s campus community. Recent accolades include receiving the American College of Healthcare Administrators Eli Pick Facility Leadership award; the America’s Best for Extended Care Women’s Choice Award, and making the list of U.S. News & World Report highest performing short-term rehabilitation facilities in the nation.
