Concierge Director: Yossi Mandelbaum
Patients Age: 75
Admission Date: 6/21/23
Admitted From: Mount Sinai Hospital Brooklyn
Discharge Date: 10/02/23
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 3 months and 12 days
Reason for Stay: Partially Broken Hip requiring rehab
How did this patient hear about The Chateau at Brooklyn Rehabilitation & Nursing Center? Resident had been here four times previously
Details of experience:
Carole Zappulla has been to the Chateau a total of three times. When she found out that she would need to be admitted to a skilled nursing community to receive PT and OT, there was no question in her mind that she would be returning to the Chateau for a fourth time. This time around, Ms. Zappulla felt that it was the most serious recovery process of all her four admissions to The Chateau.
Upon Ms. Zappulla’s arrival, she was evaluated by therapy, and a care plan was developed specific to her needs. The PT department made sure to explain everything to Ms. Zappulla. From the small details to the overall picture, nothing was left out. Aside from going over every detail, the PT department made sure that Ms. Zappulla had a full understanding of what her recovery process was going to look like. With the knowledge of what to expect and The Chateau’s outstanding team, Ms. Zappulla was able to be up and walking almost immediately. Even when Ms. Zappulla was unsure if she could achieve the task, the PT team always reassured her that she could do it. Ms. Zappulla realized that the only thing getting in her way was her mind.
With this change in perspective, Ms. Zappulla created a new sense of determination. With this mindset change, Ms. Zappulla instantly started to see amazing results. Not only did she take leaps and bounds in her recovery, but she made new friends as well. Ms. Zappulla’s CNA, Sonia Campbell, was more than just a staff member. Ms. Zappula stated, “Ms. Campbell treats you like family she goes above and beyond to make sure that you feel as if you are in the comfort of your own home. She doesn’t look at you as a number but rather as a direct member of her family. She is kind, caring, sweet, and has endless empathy for everyone in The Chateau.” Ms. Zappulla also had a special bond with the Nursing Manager of the floor, Ms.Young. She knew Ms. Young for ten years, and has had the ability and pleasure to literally watch Ms. Young go from being a nurse on the floor to being the managing nurse on the floor. This bond created over a decade ago still sparkles as if it were brand new. While Ms. Zappulla and Ms. Young had this special connection, this was not something out of the norm. Ms. Young makes it part of her job to build a connection with not only those on her floor but everyone she comes in contact with. This is evident by her warm/welcoming smile and vast knowledge of the nursing field. Not only was Ms. Zappulla close with the nursing and rehabilitation team, but all departments across the floor. From housekeeping to Concierge, everyone made sure to always be there with open hands and a smile on their face.
During Ms. Zappulla’s recovery process, there were ups and downs, but one thing that separated the Chateau from other nursing communities was the constant encouragement from everyone. When things seemed out of reach or beyond her capabilities, the Chateau encouraged Ms. Zappulla to keep pushing forward. A huge part of Ms. Zappulla’s success was due to a nurse on the floor named Ms. Sterlin. Ms. Sterlin ensures all medications are distributed at the appropriate time and keeps all of the residents happy and healthy. Not only did Ms. Sterlin attend to all the resident’s needs but she did so in a sweet and caring way. Aside from Ms. Zappulla’s recovery process, she could enjoy many of the wonderful perks of being at The Chateau. This ranges from having catered breakfast every Friday during breakfast club to having her nails done every week. In Ms. Zappulla’s words, “The Chateau is the best nursing home out there! What makes the Chateau such a special place is that you build relationships/friendships with not only the other residents but with so many of the staff.”
On Ms. Zappulla’s last day, she stated, “Going home is bittersweet. Thanks to the Chateau I am back to my prior self, and back with my family. However, The Chateau has become a second home/family. This is truly a bittersweet goodbye.”