Nursing homes throughout the United States all have one thing in common—they are inspected annually by their state health departments if they receive Medicare and Medicaid funds. These inspections, along with other quality indicators, are then used to rate the nursing homes on a scale of one to five, with five as the highest possible rating. Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute, located in Clifton, has now joined the ranks of five-star nursing homes, placing it among the top facilities in New Jersey.
Daughters of Miriam Center is one of 365 nursing homes in New Jersey that are annually inspected and rated. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System, a five-star rating places a nursing home in the “much above average” category and is the most coveted rating both for facilities and for families searching for a safe environment for their elderly or impaired family member.
The New Jersey Department of Health conducted its annual state survey of Daughters of Miriam Center in March 2017. The unannounced survey is carried out by a New Jersey Department of Health multidisciplinary team of nurses, pharmacists, life safety inspectors and other professionals over a one-week period. The team completes their investigation through visual inspections, interviews with patients and staff, desk reviews of medical and administrative records, and direct observation of procedures and patient care. More than 1500 federal and state metrics are reviewed and evaluated. The annual survey provides a means to assess the quality of the operations and the care given to patients. Given the standardized approach, a person can easily assess a nursing home’s performance and compare one nursing home to other facilities in the state.
Continuing an upward trend that began in 2016 when it was awarded four stars, the Center’s achievements can be attributed, in part, to continuous and ongoing training and education of staff, as well as the implementation of a cutting-edge electronic medical record system. According to CEO Frank DaSilva, “We are very proud of our staff for their hard work in achieving this milestone. At nearly 100 years old, the Center is one of the oldest nursing homes in the area and we are pleased that we are being recognized for the quality care we provide to the seniors of northern New Jersey.”
Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute is a state-of-the-art long-term care and subacute facility providing broad-based services to seniors. Emphasizing a continuum-of-care focus, Center divisions include a skilled nursing facility, a subacute care wing, a dementia care pavilion, a rehabilitation program, a sheltered workshop, hospice care, a respite program, and senior housing with supportive services.
Situated on the campus of Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute, the Esther and Sam Schwartz Building (Miriam Apartments II) consists of 150 one-bedroom apartments with 28 units specially adapted to make them accessible to persons with mobility impairments. Tenants at the Esther and Sam Schwartz Building enjoy the independence of their own home while also benefiting from the community atmosphere created by the many active gathering places. Whether enjoying a restaurant-style dinner in the main dining hall or a casual lunch at the grill in the coffee shop, there is ample opportunity to engage in social activities.
Founded in 1921, the Center is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health, accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and serves as a university-affiliated teaching center.
The Center’s mission is to provide quality healthcare services and housing for seniors in an environment that enhances and respects individualized traditions and lifestyles. We work to meet the emerging needs in our community and to advance geriatric care through research.
