New York State Veterans Home At Montrose

Pros

• The Veterans Home is aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful grounds and well-designed facilities featuring bay windows in each room.
• The home's layout, with six pods and individual nurse's stations, provides a sense of organization and ensures residents have dedicated care.
• The facility allows for connection between family members and residents, even during strict visitation protocols, through the bay windows.
• Its proximity to a VA hospital across the street is a significant advantage for residents who may require additional medical services.

Cons

• The facility does not allow Hospice services for its residents, despite Medicare coverage at no cost to the nursing home.
• There is a lack of adequate care for veterans, as evidenced by the absence of Hospice services.
• It is unbelievable that a veterans' home would not provide necessary end-of-life care options.
• The administration's policies regarding visitation are restrictive and unsupportive during critical times.
• Even with a beautiful environment, the lack of vital services like Hospice care tarnishes the overall quality of care for residents.

Review

The passing of a loved one is always a challenging experience, and when that loss occurs in a care facility, it can be even more complicated by the circumstances surrounding their end-of-life care. A retired Master Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Navy expressed deep frustration regarding the lack of hospice services at a Veterans Nursing Home where his father passed away in 2022. Despite the facility’s commitment to serving veterans, the administration does not permit hospice care providers to enter, which he finds incredible given that these services are covered by Medicare at no cost to the nursing home itself. This situation raises significant concerns about how veterans, who have served their country with honor, are cared for during their most vulnerable times.

The nursing home itself is relatively new, having been built in 2001, and is designed as a single-story establishment featuring thoughtfully planned accommodations. Each resident's room has a bay window that not only brightens up the living space but also serves as an avenue for families to connect with their loved ones on days when strict visitation policies are enforced due to health protocols such as those instituted during COVID-19. This thoughtful architectural design provides some solace amid difficult circumstances; it allows family members to see their loved ones and maintain some form of connection, even when physical visits may not be possible.

With a capacity of 342 beds distributed across six distinct pods—each accommodating about 40 residents—the facility creates a more intimate environment within its larger structure. Each pod operates independently, equipped with its own nurse's station and support staff. This model effectively mitigates feelings of being overwhelmed in a large institution where hundreds of individuals share common spaces. Instead, residents live in smaller communities where they can receive personalized care tailored to their specific needs while still benefiting from the resources available within the larger facility.

Aesthetically speaking, the Veterans Nursing Home impresses visitors with its beautiful architecture and meticulously maintained grounds. Such environments are vital because they contribute positively to both residents' emotional well-being and overall quality of life. The picturesque setting paired with functional layouts demonstrates an understanding of what elderly or ill individuals may require in terms of comfort and accessibility—a stark contrast to the upsetting reality faced by families seeking comprehensive end-of-life care options like hospice.

However, despite these commendable features and thoughtful designs—which suggest that attention has been paid both towards caring for veterans physically and emotionally—there remains a glaring deficiency: the absence of hospice services within this facility paints a troubling picture for those navigating terminal illnesses. Hospice is crucial for providing compassionate care focused on enhancing quality of life rather than solely prolonging it; therefore, denying access can diminish what should be an empathetic approach toward veteran care during critical moments.

Ultimately, this situation highlights systemic issues present in veteran care facilities across the nation where administrative decisions appear disconnected from the actual needs of patients and their families. While it is heartening that there exists infrastructure capable of supporting numerous veterans within this nursing home environment—complete with beautiful surroundings—the reality that hospice services are excluded raises essential questions about priorities in veteran healthcare management moving forward. As advocates continue pushing for better treatment options for our nation’s heroes at all stages of life—including those nearing death—it is vital to reconsider how we as society ensure dignity remains paramount throughout every phase of care provided to our veterans.

Hospitals

• VA Hospital at Montrose (0.2 miles)
• Helen Hayes Hospital (3.6 miles)
• Hudson Valley Hospital Center (4 miles)
• Northern Westchester H (8 miles)
• Northern Westchester Hospital (10.9 miles)
• Keller Army Community Hospital (11.5 miles)

Transportation

• Cortlandt Metro North Train Station (0.5 miles)
• Peekskill Metro North Train Station (3.1 miles)
• Croton-Harmon Amtrak Station (4 miles)
• Metro North - Ossining Train Station (6.4 miles)
• Chappaqua Train Station (9.7 miles)
• Metro North - Mount Kisco Train Station (10.5 miles)
• Bus Stop (10.9 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• The Blue Pig (3.2 miles)
• Peekskill Brewery (3.2 miles)
• Birdsall House (3.6 miles)
• DD's Diner (5.6 miles)
• McDonald's (5.9 miles)
• McDonald's (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Croton Landing Park (2.9 miles)
• Senasqua Park (3.2 miles)
• Croton Point Park (4 miles)
• Perkins Memorial Tower (6.5 miles)
• Bear Mountain State Park (6.5 miles)
• Louis Engel Park (6.5 miles)
• Rockland Lake State Park (7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• Walgreens (6.3 miles)
• Walgreens (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• Lasser Pediatrics (3.8 miles)
• Hudson Valley Cardiology Group PC (3.9 miles)
• Caremount Medical (4 miles)
• Janet M Barton, RN, FNP (4.4 miles)
• Scott Sanders, MD Dermatology (6.1 miles)
• Palisades Pediatrics (6.4 miles)
• North Star Medical Group (6.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar (10.2 miles)
• Art Cafe Of Nyack (10.5 miles)
• Starbucks (10.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church Of Mt. Kisco (9.7 miles)
• Congregation Tzemach Tzedek Lubavitch of Monsey (10.4 miles)
• Bais Hamedrash (10.7 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Palisades 21 (9.9 miles)
• Nanuet STM 12 & RPX (11.1 miles)