Union County Nursing Home

Pros

• The staff at Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville, Georgia, are dedicated to providing a caring environment for residents.
• Families searching for a safe place for their loved ones will find that Union County Nursing Home has many positive qualities.
• The nursing home offers a compassionate space for individuals with various needs, fostering a sense of community and support.
• Residents can enjoy the benefits of being in a welcoming atmosphere where their comfort is prioritized.
• Union County Nursing Home strives to create a positive experience for families seeking quality care for their loved ones.

Cons

• The staff consistently fails to follow a toileting schedule, leading to incontinence issues for residents.
• Frequent staff changes negatively impact the care provided to residents with Alzheimer's disease.
• Natural teeth are neglected and not brushed due to assumptions made by staff, causing dental problems.
• Staff do not assist in transferring residents from wheelchairs to easy chairs, resulting in muscle loss and decreased mobility.
• There is a lack of interest from the staff in maintaining residents' function and quality of life.
• The decline in health for some residents is exacerbated by the poor quality and inconsistency of care provided.
• Call buttons are often placed out of reach, leading to delayed responses or no assistance when needed.
• Residents experience a lack of attention as buzzers go unanswered, indicating a disregard for their needs.

Review

The experience shared by a concerned family member about Union County Nursing Home in Blairsville, Georgia, paints a troubling picture of the care provided to residents, particularly those with complex needs like Alzheimer's disease. The individual has voiced serious concerns regarding the quality and consistency of care that their mother has received over the past three years. This feedback illustrates systemic issues that can significantly impact the well-being and quality of life for residents who depend on caregivers for essential daily support.

A significant issue highlighted is the nursing home's inability to maintain a consistent toileting schedule for residents. This lack of adherence has resulted in the individual's wheelchair-bound mother becoming incontinent—a situation that could have potentially been avoided with proper care protocols. Incontinence not only affects physical health but also deeply impacts dignity and self-esteem, especially for those suffering from cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. The described oversight suggests an alarming disregard for individualized care plans and attention to bodily functions that are critical to maintaining comfort and hygiene.

Moreover, the reviewer notes that frequent staff changes have detrimental effects on patients with Alzheimer’s. For individuals living with this disease, familiarity is crucial; it fosters trust and security in a setting where confusion can already be prevalent. Staff turnover disrupts continuity of care, leading to scenarios where caregivers may not properly recognize or address residents' unique needs—such as understanding when teeth need brushing or helping with mobility transitions from wheelchairs to easy chairs. Consequently, the review reflects growing frustration over the nursing home’s neglectful approach toward personalized caregiving—an area where stable staffing patterns could greatly enhance resident outcomes.

Dental hygiene appears to be another neglected aspect of care at Union County Nursing Home. The reviewer emphasizes that despite their mother's natural teeth being present, they often go unbrushed due to assumptions made by different staff members regarding her dental status. This oversight leads to further deteriorating oral health conditions significantly affecting overall well-being. Dental practices are integral aspects of elderly caregiving environments; neglecting them not only causes discomfort but can also lead to more serious health complications down the line.

Additionally troubling is how physical mobility needs are addressed—or rather ignored—in this facility. The author states that staff do not regularly assist Mom in transferring between her wheelchair and an easy chair, which has led her to lose muscle and strength over time. This muscular decline exacerbates her existing limitations—not just physically but also psychologically as it reinforces feelings of helplessness among residents when assistance is consistently unavailable or inadequate. By failing to promote active engagement through proper transfers and support for physical activity, staff inadvertently reinforce a cycle whereby patients become more dependent on them due to loss of strength.

Beyond these specific issues concerning personal care are broader systemic implications tied to staffing levels and workload burdens placed on caregivers at Union County Nursing Home. It seems clear from this review that under-staffing may result in burnout or complacency among employees who become overwhelmed by their responsibilities—leading some workers towards what might be perceived as lazy behavior rather than purposeful caregiving focused on patient autonomy and functionality. With reported problems surrounding buzzers going unanswered, call buttons placed out of reach, and general inattentiveness toward patient needs encapsulate these pressures faced by understaffed facilities.

In conclusion, while the writer ultimately expresses a desire for potential improvements within Union County Nursing Home’s framework—indicating perhaps some optimism—their pointed critiques reveal deep-rooted challenges in ensuring proper eldercare standards are upheld within such establishments today. As families seek suitable places for loved ones requiring specialized attention like Alzheimer’s management or physical support systems during long-term stays, it becomes imperative they remain aware of variability across nursing homes that could dramatically affect their relatives’ health trajectories moving forward.

This area of Blairsville, Georgia offers a variety of healthcare options including family practices, orthopedics, gastroenterology, cancer specialists, and women's health services within close proximity. Union General Hospital is also conveniently located nearby for any medical needs. There are several pharmacies within a short distance for easy access to medications. Additionally, there are plenty of dining options such as Chick-fil-A, Rib Country, and Cook's Country Kitchen for convenient and delicious meals. The community also offers places of worship like Unity Church of The Mountains and The Rock Church for spiritual support. Beautiful parks like Meeks Park and the Dog Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area in Blairsville provides a well-rounded environment with essential amenities and services for senior living.

Physicians

• Quigley-Blue Mountain Family Practice (0.1 miles)
• Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (0.1 miles)
• Northview Orthopedics (0.1 miles)
• Blairsville Family Practice PC (0.2 miles)
• North Georgia Family Medicine (0.2 miles)
• Women's Health of Blairsville (0.2 miles)
• Georgia Cancer Specialist (0.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Union General Hospital (0.2 miles)
• Chatuge Regional Hospital & Nursing Home (12.4 miles)
• Tri State Urology Assoc (12.4 miles)
• Chatuge Regional Hospital (12.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Ingles Market Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Brasstown Professional Pharmacy (1 miles)
• King's Hometown Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (12.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• Rib Country (0.5 miles)
• Cook's Country Kitchen (0.5 miles)
• Waffle House (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• Arby's (0.6 miles)
• Zaxby's (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Blairsville's Skillet Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Bean Pod (0.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Unity Church of The Mountains (0.7 miles)
• The Rock Church (1.2 miles)
• Unity Church of the Mountains (1.4 miles)
• Fairview Baptist Church (2.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (2.6 miles)
• Liberty Baptist Church (3.1 miles)
• Shadowland Tabernacle (3.7 miles)

Parks

• Meeks Park (1.5 miles)
• Dog Park (1.6 miles)
• Wild Dog City (7 miles)
• Towns County Beach & Playground (12.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.6 miles)
• Blairsville Airport (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• Blairsville Cinema (2.7 miles)