Northwestern Center

Pros

• Some of the nurses and aides at Northwestern Healthcare are fantastic and provide excellent care to residents.
• The food served at the facility is good, offering quality meals to patients.
• The specialist Brian is highly regarded for his exceptional care and support.
• The facility organizes events occasionally, contributing to a sense of community among residents.
• There are dedicated staff members who strive to provide individualized care when possible.

Cons

• The care provided to the father is inadequate, with his daily regime not being followed.
• He has been found in the same clothes for consecutive days, indicating neglect in personal care.
• Essential eye care after surgery has been neglected, including missed warm compresses and eye drops.
• There was a lack of necessary safety measures for a resident with early onset dementia, resulting in a head injury from a fall.
• Follow-up care for blood monitoring was refused by the facility, forcing the family to arrange appointments independently.
• The facility lacks real community engagement despite hosting occasional events.
• Staffing issues are evident, with high turnover and inconsistent quality of care among aides and nurses.
• Dietary requirements are not adequately addressed, risking health complications due to inconsistency in food provisions.
• An emergency hospitalization could have been prevented if the facility had heeded repeated warnings from the family.

Review

The experience of care for elderly patients in healthcare facilities can often elicit deep concerns from family members, particularly when the health and safety of their loved ones are at stake. A heartfelt account from a relative regarding their father's care at Northwestern Healthcare sheds light on several troubling issues that reflect not only inadequate attention to the specific needs of patients but also systemic challenges within the facility itself.

One of the primary concerns raised is the lack of adherence to prescribed medical regimes. The individual describes instances where their father was found in the same clothes for consecutive days, suggesting a troubling neglect for basic hygiene and daily routines essential for his well-being. Furthermore, this relative underscores critical aspects of eye care post-surgery, including routine warm compresses and medication drops, which appear to have been overlooked by staff. This negligence is particularly alarming given that proper eye care is vital for someone with a history of ocular problems, and it raises questions about the overall quality and consistency of care that residents receive within this facility.

Compounding these issues is the patient's diagnosed dementia—early onset to mid-stage—which necessitates heightened vigilance and support. The family had initially alerted staff to their father's condition, emphasizing his potential tendency to wander. Despite this warning, it took a significant incident—a fall that resulted in a head injury—for appropriate safety measures like alarms on his bed and chair to be implemented. Such delays in action can have serious repercussions on patient safety, clearly indicating a lapse in proactive caregiving practices by the nursing staff.

Another notable concern involves medical follow-up procedures which were recommended by hospital physicians upon discharge but were not adhered to by Northwestern Healthcare staff. Specifically mentioned was routine blood work necessary for monitoring blood thinner levels—a task relegated back onto the family who otherwise should rely on consistent professional oversight within an assisted living environment. The need for families to coordinate healthcare logistics like lab appointments adds another layer of strain and frustration as they try to ensure their loved one remains healthy.

While there are elements within Northwestern Healthcare that display potential—such as certain dedicated nurses and aides—the review paints a picture of understaffing leading to high turnover rates which ultimately affects continuity and quality of care. Although some caregivers shine through their dedication, it seems clear that systemic issues hinder both communication among staff members and sufficient individualized attention paid to each resident’s unique needs. For instance, dietary considerations seem poorly managed; with patients requiring specific diets due to medical conditions unable to receive appropriate meals consistently or accurately tailored to prevent complications related to blood thinners.

Moreover, while activities aimed at fostering community engagement exist within the facility—like veteran clubs—the reviewer notes an absence of substantial follow-through or meaningful interaction provided by these programs. This lackluster involvement could contribute significantly to patients feeling isolated or disengaged from their community within what should be a supportive environment conducive to both mental and physical well-being.

In conclusion, this candid review regarding Northwestern Healthcare highlights significant areas demanding immediate attention—from basic personal care practices right through clinical oversight protocols. Family members should feel confident entrusting their loved ones into specialized facilities without excessive concern over whether required standards will be met consistently. As aging populations increase across many regions, it becomes imperative that those responsible for eldercare evaluate systems thoroughly so that individuals receive not just adequate but exceptional care tailored specifically towards enhancing quality of life during vulnerable times.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (3.1 miles)
• Marc's Stores (3.4 miles)
• Marc's Stores (3.6 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Southwest Family Physicians (1.5 miles)
• Ent Allergy Health (2.8 miles)
• Cuyahoga County Board of Health (4.5 miles)
• Allergy Diagnostic (5.7 miles)
• Premier Physicians (5.7 miles)
• Orthopedic Associates Westlake (6.5 miles)
• North; Shore Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.9 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (3.7 miles)
• Fat Heads Brewery & Saloon (3.7 miles)
• Mitchell's Ice Cream (4.6 miles)
• TGI Friday's (4.8 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse C (2.1 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint C (2.3 miles)
• Concourse B (2.3 miles)
• United Airlines Ticket Counter (2.3 miles)
• American Airlines Ticket Counter (2.4 miles)
• Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE) (2.4 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reserve North (2.1 miles)
• Rocky River Reservation (2.3 miles)
• Bain Park (4 miles)
• Surrarrer Park (4 miles)
• James Day Park (4.5 miles)
• Strongsville Wildlife Area (5 miles)
• Tri-City Park (5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Benchmark Imaging Group (3.8 miles)
• CCF Fairview Hospital (5.1 miles)
• Cleveland Clinic - Fairview Hospital (5.1 miles)
• St John Medical Center (5.9 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark 383 Strongsville (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Jehovah's Witnesses (5.7 miles)