Apple Rehab Farmington Valley

My mom was here twice within weeks of a whirlwind health decline. Started with an afib episode which sent her to BH hospital then to Apple Rehab for strengthening.
Initially, they put her in a beautiful private room with her own phone, tv and mini fridge with lots of space for her family. She was fully self sufficient and continent, but they insisted on putting her in a diaper. She enjoyed the food and appeared happy.

Less than a week later, a nurse calls and said her O2 stats were 76 and if they should send her to the hospital. (That same evening, while family was visiting, an aid checked her 02 earlier and said… Oh, it was 74, then backtracked and said it was normal).
More family came in and she was short of breath and couldn’t eat her dinner. But we felt she was under good care and she was being monitored. It was a few hours later, we get the call and I told the nurse both my mom and her grown grandson, reported her O2 was 74 and then she said the record said it was 94.) They sent her to HOCC.

At the hospital they were going to do a thoracentesis because of fluid on her lung, but with meds and oxygen they normalized her status. Then the next day, she threw a clot and was airlifted to a Bridgeport hospital where they removed the clot. Her speech, memory were coming back.
She was there for over a week before then they sent her back to Apple Rehab.

When back at Apple, she was put in the ANNEX wing. Her room was a small, dingy, very cramped, , semi private room without phone or the ability for her family to sit or even stand comfortably near her. Even the curtains had old strange, visible stains and a very sticky floor.
I requested a private room change twice knowing she had daily family visiting and was totally refused and spoke to very abruptly.
For $500/day it seems like a very poor response. Especially, when on private pay, they require their $14,900 a month ahead. Yet, any refunds to the resident or estate takes six weeks after multiple requests.
I believe the patients dying or those that don’t “notice” their surroundings are put on this old, run down wing.

My mom was impaired after she returned from St Vincent’s Bridgeport, but stable and then put through rehab and was improving . But then quickly developed a decubitus on her coccyx that emitted a strong, foul odor. We complained because it smelled like she wasn’t being changed; and nobody properly updated us on this skin change, until we brought the horrible odor it to their attention.
They said she had developed an unstagable wound, but would treat as appropriate. They also suggested a DNH (Do not hospitalize) for my mom.
She was most often left in a wheelchair slumped over in her last weeks of life; I believe it’s the lack of aids to transfer her back to bed after rehab or lunch. We had to ask them to please let her go back to bed… and apparently this request not always appreciated by some. She was once found with only a diaper on and soiled top with a light throw on her. Another time, around 3pm, her bed was stripped and she was in the hall, slumped over in her wheelchair. We had to ask someone to make up her bed so she could return to her bed.

She started going into fast decline and passed two months later…

This facility is obviously understaffed for those patients that need two person transfers and frequent repositioning. Their Medicare overall rating was only 1 for a reason. The receptionists often takes an extended time answering the front desk, so getting through can be frustrating. Also, there seems to be a “slick facade” of the “nice” spacious rooms versus the back wing…Annex.

Apple has some caring aids, a Great PT Department with dedicated workers (*one exceptional caring physical therapist that informed us about the decubitus on my mom); and wonderful Recreational Department workers, & some nurses, especially the night shift who called me when she passed.

After my mom passed, my same aged mil broke her hip and ended up at Southington Care & the difference at the facility was incredible .

Apple Rehab definitely needs improvement.

This rehab def needs more staff and new staff to replace some of these employees and supervisors. You have to wait too long to receive meds and you can't even trust to get the right doses. There's alot of miscommunication not sure why when your reading right off of the computer HELLO. Some of them are nice but most need to go. They are just not very professional. Feel bad for the residents that live here honestly . Jenelle one of the aids is fantastic, the others not so much. Also the cleaning lady. Not sure of her name but very nice Janaican lady. The 3 - 11 shift needs to get it together. There is 1 African American nurse that is terrible and unprofessional. Terrible personality.

I'm super grateful for Apple Rehab.
I came here after slight complications with a knee surgery, and 9 days later I'm able to go home with confidence and much less pain.
The Physical therapy dept is amazing. The building is kept clean and most of the staff are wonderful.
No Rehab is perfect, but the Director of Nursing, Lori, addressed each problem quickly and helped me to be as comfortable as possible.

My mom passed yesterday at Apple Rehab Farmington Valley (in Plainville CT).

She was only there for 3 weeks. She was previously at a rehab nursing home, and at the eleventh hour, we were told she could no longer stay there because she was not able to walk (progression from dementia).

There were no openings in their skilled care facility, which was a blessing because the care was awful.

After my sister and I frantically searched and contacted nursing homes that had a one-year waiting list, the Universe intervened. We were unexpectedly directed to Apple Rehab, and they had an opening.

I could see and feel the warmth, care, and compassion the moment my mom arrived.

My mom received exceptional care there. I am sharing this because you hear many negative nursing home experiences. But his one deserves a 5-star rating.

Spending long hours with my mom, we got to know the staff. They shared their stories, their hardships, their personal lives, etc. There was a mom, her daughter, and her niece who were aides. There treated my mom with love, compassion, and respect.

Not just from the nursing and aide staff but everyone. The people cleaning the floors, food service, maintenance, etc.

Janet, the lovely lady who is in charge of activities, made sure my mom would go to music day on Tuesdays. My mom loved music and loved to dance.

They would take my mom to the dining room even though she hadn't eaten for the last month. We met some lovely families there sharing what we were all going through.

The staff was always checking in on her and popping in and out the last few days while she was transitioning. They sent in a comfort cart filled with water and goodies to keep us nourished.
They checked on my dad to see how he was a gave him many big hugs.

The nurses were tremendous as well. They were always responsive, and we never waited more than a minute or two for them to respond.

My heart is filled with compassion for everyone there. Working in a nursing home can be challenging. It takes very special people to care for others the way they do.

One young lady was helping my mom, and we would always say thank you. She hugged my mom and said, "I couldn't take care of my grandmother", but I am happy to take care of you." I hugged her, and we cried.

A big heartfelt thank you to the incredibly warm and caring staff at Apple Rehab.