COVER STORY

on the cover

Dedicated to Health and Happiness Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

By Kristie Darling | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Think about your future for a minute. There might come a time in your life, maybe soon, maybe in the years ahead, when an illness, accident, or surgery puts you in need of special care—you require healing and rehabilitation so you can get back on track. Perhaps someone you love, someone who needs and deserves the best care possible, is challenged with medical issues or the unique care that aging can require. Every day, people we love need help. In our area, Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a godsend for families searching for top-quality care in a nurturing environment—a place that leads to healing, health, comfort—with attention above the norm. Conover is a unique, family run and family friendly

facility where excellent quality nursing care is the mission of its dedicated, professional team, each and every day.

“It’s rewarding to have a job where I constantly have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of so many people,” said Josh Sherrill, Conover’s owner since 2002. “I receive blessings and remarkable life experiences every day I’m here. I know our staff all feel the same way.”

Photos: On the cover–From left to right, Billie Abernathy, director of admissions; Todd Roper, administrator; Nicole Roper, rehab director; Jenny Haynes, director of nursing

Opposite page–Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s therapy team – Left to right Lydia Beach, Katlyn Matheson, Jaimie Cansler, Raquel Barcelon, Kim Rollyson. Seated: Nicole Roper

FAMILY OWNED, FAMILY RUN, FAMILY CENTERED Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is privately owned, so the owner and administrator are able to make ground-level decisions that impact residents, the employees, and the facility without navigating corporate bureaucracy. The entire staff—the CNAs, nurses and therapists, the housekeeping, maintenance, business office, and dietary employees—are all involved directly with the Center’s residents’ care. “Our team is always brainstorming around improvement,” Josh continued. “Our goal is to help people heal and get back to whatever they love doing. For our long-term residents, we strive to make each day enjoyable. A person’s happiness is crucial in improving total well-being. Often, it’s as simple as crossing the room to give someone a hug.” Above–The staff at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

AWARD WINNING The American Health Care Association recently recognized the Center for quality achievements in three national goals: reducing use of antipsychotics, improving residents’ functional outcomes, and re-hospitalizations. “We are honored to receive recognition for this incredible achievement,” Todd said, “and committed to continued improvements for our residents.” AHCA’s Quality Initiative Recognition Program honors member long-term care providers for their work in achieving Quality Initiative goals.

NURSING CARE AND REHABILITATION THERAPY Folks arrive at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a variety of reasons. With private and semi-private rooms furnished for short-term rehab and long-term, skilled nursing care, the staff serves folks from all walks of life and with a variety of healthcare needs. “You will see that everyone is treated the same,” said Jenny Haynes, RN and director of nursing services. “Which is to say, with personalized care suited to individual needs and capabilities. We have a staff of over 200, and working as a family of caregivers, each department’s goal is to improve everyone’s quality of life.”

Photos, above, top to bottom: • Residents Patsy Sigmon and Gerald Nellenbach relaxing in the Healing Garden. • 2019 Bingo Champion Mary Frye • Therapists Lydia Beach, PTA, and Jaimie Cansler, COTA, helping former resident Michael Ritch prepare for discharge by learning about his favorite hobby.

Under the supervision of Dr. Sandeep Patel, Conover’s medical director, Jenny keeps her 60 RNs and CNAs inspired to always give their best. “Our nurses and CNAs are the backbone of this facility,” Jenny said. “They are compassionate and skilled, and they care for our residents like they would their own family.” Every resident has their own story, situation, and life experience that eventually lead them to Conover.

Nicole Roper, Ed.D., SLP, and director of rehabilitation services, agrees that it’s the people who make the difference between the ordinary and the exceptional in care and service. Nicole and her staff of six therapists work in-patient and out-patient with rehabilitation patients in a truly leading-edge, therapeutic gym. Patient rooms surround the indoor track, and the track circles the gym—it’s very comfortable and easy to navigate. Restorative care and therapies are prescribed to help people regain lost abilities, such as walking, eating independently, dressing, or speaking. It’s her staff of physical, speech, and occupational therapists who help residents reach their potential and prepare for a return home feeling better and able to engage in favorite activities. “It’s a proud moment when someone who arrived on a stretcher walks out the door for his or her trip back home,” Nicole told me.

Physical therapist Rocky Barcelon has completed a specialized training in LSVT BIG, an evidence-based, intensive, one-onone exercise program created to help people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions. “Our comprehensive therapy addresses balance and walking and the many activities of daily living that patients find hard to continue,” Rocky explained. “This program is seeing exceptional results and more confident patients very day.”

KEEPING BUSY INDOORS AND OUT Let me show you Conover’s healing garden. Close your eyes. Hear the gentle waterfalls and the birds chirping at their feeders? Smell the roses? Does your rocking chair remind you of your porch at home? Residents and families are invited into this peaceful environment every day. Todd Roper is a talented

administrator who thinks outside the box. In 2017, he and Josh determined that a meditative garden with flowing water would be a healing location for families and residents to relax. “Our healing garden is a place where families love to bring parents or loved ones for an iced tea, some conversation, or just a comfortable visit,” Josh shared. “It’s our oneof-a-kind outdoor oasis that everyone enjoys.”

“We use the garden, patio, and pergola for activities, gatherings, concerts, and meals throughout the year,” Nicole explained. “Tables with chairs, gliders, and comfy rockers mingle with wheelchairs so everyone can pull up close.” Center activities such as crafts, games, the concerts that invited performers or Todd and his trio present, sing-alongs, afternoon socials, birthday celebrations, and worship can move outdoors when the weather is nice. Gathering for music is big at Conover, around the dining hall’s grand piano and stone fireplace, in the sun-filled foyer with its own wallmounted water wall, or in the fresh outdoors.

Just like at home, mealtime is special. Natalie Auton has been dietary manager for 13 years. She creates family-style meals that suit all tastes and special needs. “We’re always glad to have guests who enjoy eating here,” Natalie said, “and I love taking orders from our deli menu. It sets this facility apart from most. Ordering a grilled chicken salad with soup is perfect for just about everyone.”

ABOVE THE REST If you or a family member or friend require long-term care or recovery, I can say without reservation that Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center should be at the top of your inquiry and visit list for the very best care possible. You’ll meet compassionate providers, staff, and administrators who care for our parents or grandparents with the same devoted attention you would provide. At Conover, this is the norm; it is expected and required. Todd explained, “It’s a part of who we are that we bring into this home good people, a forward-looking, personal approach, and a focus on daily well-being that really does enhance lives.”

A STORY I’VE BEEN TOLD I believe this Conover story says it all: A woman’s mother was at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Several of the woman’s family members had been cared for at Conover. The case manager asked for her top three choices of rehab centers for her mom. She didn’t hesitate: “#1 Conover Nursing, #2 Conover Nursing, #3 Conover Nursing.” The case manager told her, “But I need three choices.” The daughter simply explained, “My mother will only go to Conover Nursing. They’re the best, so I have no other choices.”

Photos, above, top to bottom: • Activity director Amber Martin preparing delicious treats with resident Teresa Sipe in the ADL (Activities of Daily Living) suite. • Physical therapist Raquel Barcelon provides gait training during therapy session with resident Dorothy Martin.

Plan a visit yourself. You will be thoroughly delighted and impressed with everything you see and hear. You may decide Conover Nursing & Rehab is your only choice, too.

Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

828.695.8282 920 4th Street SW, Conover, NC 28613 www.ConoverNursingandRehab.com