Copley at Stoughton

Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Call us today at 781-341-2300

community

Summer at Copley

by Steven Tyer

Boating is a favorite summertime activity – particularly here in New England, where there is no shortage of beautiful waterways. You might be surprised to hear that boating is also a favorite activity for many Copley at Stoughton residents. Each summer, we reserve space on a charter boat for a Cape Cod Canal Cruise. It’s the perfect summer outing – all the fun and adventure of a sea cruise, but safely protected from the high winds and waves.

Is this a normal outing for a skilled nursing home? Perhaps not at other facilities, but it certainly is at Copley. One of the myths about skilled nursing facilities is that residents sit around inside all day playing Bingo. Don’t get us wrong, Bingo is popular at Copley, but in the summer months, we feel there is so much more to do.

Outdoor activities start with the facility itself. Our fully furnished outdoor patio is a great place to spend an afternoon with family or to sit and enjoy a book. Each summer season Copley hires a few additional staff for our activities department so our residents can enjoy our outdoor space as much as possible. Residents also enjoy gardening and walking the grounds. Cheryl Woodward, who plans all our activities, posts an upcoming schedule of events so that residents can plan accordingly. We’ve found that the excitement of an upcoming event is almost as important as the event itself! Besides the Cape Cod Canal cruises, there are shopping trips, restaurant outings, and other activities. Cheryl is always on the lookout for new adventures; feel free to call her if you have a suggestion.

These summer outings are important for our residents. Not only do they provide a great way to enjoy the nice weather, but these events also dramatically increase our residents’ quality of life – keeping them active and mentally engaged. As we always like to say, our residents don’t have time to sit around much! 

You can read more about the Copley lifestyle here: https://copleystoughton.com/lifestyle/ and of course, don’t hesitate to contact me personally if you have any questions or to book a tour.

Happy Summer!

Steve Tyer

World-Class Care Doesn’t Mean “Somewhere Else in the World”

by Steven Tyer

We always want the best for ourselves and our loved ones. Too often we’re conditioned that the “best” means something that can only be found in a big city. It’s true that we’re lucky to be in close proximity to Boston, which is home to some of the best hospitals in the country – perhaps the world. But when it comes to long-term care or short-term rehab for a loved one, the best care could very well be right around the corner.

Location plays a big part in selecting these services, but convenience shouldn’t be a priority over quality care and affordability. Luckily, Copley at Stoughton meets all these requirements. In fact, Copley was rated one of the Best Nursing Homes in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. It’s a designation we’re very proud of.

It’s that community connection that is so important in health care. As you know, I was born and raised in Stoughton. It’s not unusual for me to run into previous rehab guests while shopping at Stop and Shop or dining at the Town Spa, thanking me for the care they received and asking if I can help them again or help a loved one. “Of course,” I say. “I’d be happy to.”

Copley is part of the Stoughton culture. The fact that we are a Skilled Nursing Facility as well means that we are a temporary home for people of all ages here for rehabilitation and recovery. We touch the lives of so many of our residents, both directly and indirectly.

Copley’s close-knit feeling of family and community leads to world-class care. I know many people are comforted by the fact that they can get what they need without having to go far. Providing this comfort to our “neighbors” is something we are very proud of too.

MassHealth an Incredible Program for Many of Our Residents

by Steven Tyer

MassHealth is a safety net for many of our residents. The state agency oversees Medicaid, the federal program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals. That includes nursing homes, assisting individuals with the monthly cost of their care that they would not have otherwise been able to afford.

However, there has been an alarming trend in MassHealth funding lately. Perhaps you’ve heard that the rates paid to nursing homes are based on 2007 costs. That means despite rising costs, all nursing homes caring for MassHealth residents still receive payments calculated on costs that they’ve incurred over 12 years ago. Copley has the same cost increases in labor, utilities, and food that you have in your own home – just on a much larger scale.

Tara Gregorio, the president of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, and Naomi Prendergast, president and CEO of D’Youville Life and Wellness Community in Lowell have “sounded the alarm” about rates being too low. “This is a severely underfunded system,” Gregorio told CommonWealth Magazine’s The Codcast. They are calling for a restructuring of the program and funding based on more current costs. You can listen to the whole podcast and read an article based on their conversation here.

Copley at Stoughton fully supports this initiative. We see the tremendous impact MassHealth has for our residents and their families. But many nursing homes in Massachusetts are on the verge of bankruptcy, which will have an impact on many more residents and the industry as a whole.

Thankfully, that’s not the case for Copley at Stoughton. I credit our staff 100% for the great job they do ensuring our residents receive the care they need. In a previous blog post, I talked about how our staff routinely goes above and beyond budgets to provide outstanding care. This is part of the reason why we are consistently ranked one of the “Best Nursing Homes in the United States.” 

We believe in a strong skilled nursing home industry. We are optimistic that MassHealth will adjust their payment structure soon, thanks to the hard work of people like Tara Gregorio and Naomi Prendergast. But no matter what the outcome, Copley will remain a strong community partner providing care that goes above and beyond.

You can find out more about applying for MassHealth for your skilled nursing care home needs HERE. 

The Meaning of “Loved One” at Copley

by Steven Tyer

End-of-life care is so difficult, especially when your loved ones are no longer able to make their own choices. My father, who recently passed, was a resident at Copley at Stoughton. Having him here at Copley helped me look at the facility from both sides: as an administrator and as a family member of a resident. These insights guide me and help make Copley the skilled nursing facility that it is today.

I was lucky that it was a short walk up the hall to stop by for a meal or just to talk. The staff members here were great with him too, and not just because he was my father. They take good care of every resident, providing them with all that they need whether it’s a helping hand or offering a hand to hold. Residents are never alone at Copley. I’m extremely pleased with the level of attention our staff gives residents from day-to-day activities or end-of-life care. That’s where a community-based facility really excels.

I trust that other family members feel that community spirit at Copley, too. I was struck with the realization about how many physicians choose Copley for their loved ones. Doctors have their ear to the ground, and they know which nursing homes are which. The fact they choose Copley tells me we’re on the right track – being part of a community is truly important to people.

Saying goodbye though is never easy. Obviously, that was especially true with my father – it was one of the toughest things I’ve had to do. But it made me realize how connected the staff and I are with all residents here. They are our friends, our neighbors, and our loved ones, too. They are never simply names on a file folder that get shuffled from one box to another.

Did I make all the right choices for my father? I’d like to believe I did. I do know that I was proud he could call Copley home. He was constantly surrounded by people who cared about him. Could we ask for anything better?

Visits Keep Loved Ones Young

by Steven Tyer

The families of our residents often ask me what they can do to help their loved ones. It’s one of the easiest questions because it’s simple: visit as much as possible.

We do our best to provide a family atmosphere here at Copley.  We offer engaging activities to encourage socialization among our residents. But nothing replaces family, and that’s why visits are so important. This is particularly important if your loved one has lost a spouse. The grieving process is intensified with the stress of life changes and particularly moving into a new “home.”  Visits from familiar faces help alleviate the feeling of loneliness.

Visits also keep residents engaged with the world around them. This includes emotionally engaged as well as mentally engaged – it’s all interconnected. Planning future visits gives them another activity to look forward to. Try to plan for outings if possible; not just visits at Copley. It may take some extra arranging depending on a medical condition, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is well worth it.

When you do visit, make a point to bring something to show: a grandchild’s artwork from school or pictures from a recent vacation. You can also bring family photos on visits from when they were younger, or old letters and cards to help them remember earlier days.

Bringing a pet is a great idea, especially if he or she used to have one themselves. You’ll often see dogs walking the grounds at Copley with residents, or simply sitting up on their bed. We are learning more and more about the therapeutic value of pets for long-term care residents and our short-term guests recovering at Copley.

Visits from family members – and pets – help keep loved ones young and the family bonds strong. If you have any questions about planned visits to Copley at Stoughton, ideas for activities, or our pet policies, please feel free to contact me directly. I’d be happy to discuss!

 

Importance of Community

by Steven Tyer

I recently had the distinct honor of receiving the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year” award. It was truly humbling to be recognized by the Chamber. I am privileged to have the good fortune to have a career centered on my community.

Copley at Stoughton is one of the few locally owned and operated Skilled Nursing facilities in the state which gives us the luxury of having strong personal connections with our staff, residents and their families as well as control over how our facility runs. They are our neighbors, friends, past teachers and coaches, and our families.

Serving our community members with whom we share values and experiences allows us to make the process of post-acute rehab much more personal. There is a mutual understanding, respect and a genuine concern over each and every person who is with us – short or long term.

Serving our community is a major part of Copley’s mission. We are proud to be able to support the SOLA initiative, Stoughton school field trips and many other town programs. We focus on the values of community, and that is what we strive to uphold inside and outside our doors.

Whether someone is looking at Copley for themselves, a family member, or is just curious about post-acute Skilled Nursing as a career, our doors are open to any and everyone to visit. Stoughton has given us a wonderful home, and we hope our efforts to support the community continue to show our gratitude.

 

Common Misconception

by Steven Tyer

It was just an average morning as I stood in line at the local Dunkin’ Donuts waiting to order my coffee when I noticed a group of friends catching up. There were two younger people in their late 20’s and one older gentleman. I overheard the gentleman updating the group about a loved one who was now living in a Skilled Nursing facility. The collective response from the younger ones was “oh, that is so sad.” Obviously, this response caught my attention and I felt immediately bothered by it.

There are common misconceptions associated with nursing homes. The mainstream media seems to only focus on stories of homes with less than desirable environments offering sub-par care. But not all homes are created equal and while I cannot speak for every Skilled Nursing home, I can speak for Copley. We invest a majority of our energy into making sure the activities, events, outings and meals we provide for our residents are mentally, socially and physically stimulating. Many elderly people living at home lack social engagement, physical activity and proper nutrition because their age and bodies limit how much they can do. For many of our residents, they are actually given the opportunity to do MORE when they enter Copley. Here they are given the support and resources they need to safely and successfully make the most of their life.

In fact, just last week, a group of both staff and residents from Copley spent the entire day at the Massachusetts State House advocating on behalf of all our staff and residents. We had a wonderful day travelling through the halls, visiting our elected officials.

We have regularly scheduled art classes that challenge our residents and outings to local restaurants, casinos, and shops. Our beautifully furnished patio gives our residents a place to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. We regularly host parties and outings for our residents and their families and offer delicious made-to-order meals daily based off of specific nutritional needs. Our goal is to create a sense of community so everyone who enters our building feels like they are our part of our family.

While there are common myths associated with long-term care, the reality is that with a little research, you can find a home that is welcoming, caring, safe, stimulating and one where smiles far outweigh frowns. To my friends at Dunkin Donuts, I invite you to stop by and visit us at Copley and see first we’re far from a sad environment.

There’s No Place like Home

by Steven Tyer

After a stay in the hospital, you’ll most likely feel eager to get home, but post-acute care is often necessary for a successful rehabilitation. While we are committed to getting you back on your feet and home as soon as possible, our goal is also to make sure your stay with us is comfortable and your rehabilitation successful.

Why would you want to spend your time recovering in a hospital setting, when Medicare gives the CHOICE to stay somewhere else? Our Rehabilitation Program contains separate physical, occupational, and speech therapy areas and is equipped to deal with a range of conditions resulting from elective orthopedic procedures, injury or debilitating acute/chronic illnesses. If you have a planned procedure and rehabilitation is needed for recovery, it makes sense to choose a facility in close proximity to family and friends with amenities that will help aid your recovery both mentally and physically.

The mission of our rehab program is to help our guests reach their maximum capabilities, independence, and enjoyment of life. We offer, for residents who would like to participate and are feeling up to it; cooked-to-order meals served in our dining room where guests’ families are welcome to join, a beauty salon/barber shop so guests can get back to some of their normal activities, daily practice going up and down the stairs, assistance with bathing and getting dressed, a furnished outdoor patio to get some fresh air and much more! By partaking in these activities our guests are preparing themselves for a successful and smooth transition home.

As a private, locally owned company, our senior management team is on-site, giving us the opportunity to assure a clean, safe and individually focused experience for each and every individual. Yes, we offer the same as what most other Skilled Nursing Facilities offer but what sets us apart as an individual facility is that our management team has as much experience as anyone in this industry, we do not outsource any of our services, we have wonderful relationships with the local hospitals, physicians, and our referrals, which often makes our guests double as our neighbors!

With the healthcare industry always changing, there is nothing worse than having to make a medical decision under stress, so prepare in advance by researching your different options. Our best customers are the ones that visit us for no reason! We encourage you to come in for a tour to learn more about Copley and get some of your questions answered before you or your loved ones need to make a decision for post-acute care.

Give us a call at 781-341-2300 to book your tour today!

Taking Away the Anxiety

by Steven Tyer

Whether you have been planning it for months or it is unexpected, admitting your loved one to a Skilled Nursing Center can be an emotionally challenging and anxiety-ridden process for the entire family. Our main goal is to reduce as much anxiety as possible for our residents, guests and their families by reminding them that the choice is always theirs when it comes to choosing a skilled nursing center that is the right fit.

As the Administrator, I witness families go through this tough transition all the time, but recently I had to play two roles here at Copley, one as the administrator and one as a family member of a guest. I spent a considerable amount of time a few months ago in our Adams unit, while my mother faced a terminal illness.

The professionalism and compassion of my staff members that I have been speaking about for years was something I got to witness from the patient/family standpoint. Being a direct recipient of my staff’s love and care made me appreciate them on a level I never have before. The outpouring of laughter, tears, handholding, and hugs that my family received was truly appreciated and what we strive to show every single guest and family member that enters our facility.

I have some pointers on things to pay attention to when you are faced with having to admit our loved one in a Skilled Nursing Center. I encourage everyone to look at many different options before making any decisions. It is important to look beyond the physical appearance of the building (although the appearance is important) and pay closer attention to the people in the facility.

The Residents- Do they seem happy and content? Are people visiting? The way the residents feel is a great indication of the care they are receiving.

Are your questions being answered? A Skilled Nursing Center that has nothing to hide will be transparent and responsive to all your questions and concerns.

Who made time to speak with you? If the admissions director or facility administrator didn’t make time for you, who did? It is important you do not feel ignored or rushed out the door.

Overall Impression- Ask yourself if you would feel comfortable admitting a loved one to recuperate or spend their days remaining there based off of everything you witnessed.

My experience with Copley from the “other side” was something I will never forget and it made me appreciate my employees even more. Copley may not be the perfect fit for you because of specialized needs or location, but there are other places that can provide you with a wonderful experience and I encourage you not to settle for anything less!

We are more than happy to talk to you and answer any questions you may have to help ease your anxieties during this tough decision/transition. We take pride in being a local source for the surrounding communities. Give us a call at 781-341-2300.

Helping Others Find a Career Path

by Steven Tyer

Setting out to find a career is an exciting, yet terrifying time in everyone’s life. It’s easy to wonder – am I choosing the right path? What if I end up not liking the job?  Am I wasting my time? All of these questions are completely legitimate, but having a mentor to turn to for advice and guidance can make the journey less terrifying.

When we look back on when we first embarked on our career paths, there is usually a special someone who helped shape our careers by sharing their knowledge and past experiences. While it is said that struggles prove to be one of life’s greatest teachers, a mentor can help guide you through those struggles.

We’ve always taken mentoring very seriously. In fact, we encourage our staffs’ children and close family friends to shadow our employees if they show an interest in nursing, physical or occupational therapy or administration.  As a locally-owned and managed facility, we can offer an exceptional learning environment with hands-on experience. We have employees that started as CNAs that are now RNs, nursing station secretaries that have gone on to nursing school and students from Blue Hills Technical School who have finished their technical hours at our facility.

Jill Owens is the MDS Coordinator here at Copley. As an MDS Coordinator, Jill’s daily tasks consist of assessing the quality of the emotional, mental and physical care that is given to long-term patients. She started as a CNA back in 1995 and has since worked her way through nursing school and up to a management position that is very important for the everyday function of our facility, staff, and patients.

We open our doors and not only welcome but encourage younger generations to use our facility and our well-trained staff as a source of knowledge for their future. Know someone looking for hands-on experience in nursing or any part of the skilled nursing field? We would love to hear from them and learn how we can work together to start them on their way to a rewarding career. Whether it is through volunteering, interning or finishing up technical hours, there are many opportunities to learn and grow in any field if you put yourself out there!