Nathaniel Witherell sits on about 24 acres in Greenwich, Connecticut, owned and run by the Town of Greenwich since 1903, and though the main building went up in 1932 and shows that Colonial Revival touch from William Tubby, it has had its share of additions and updates over the years, including changes in the 1960s and 1970s, plus a fresh update in the 2010s, and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places so there's some local history to the place since it started as a tuberculosis sanitarium, but now you'll find a modern senior care facility with 202 beds divided among areas for rehabilitation, long-term care, and memory care, all focused on helping older adults with different needs. The staff is one of the strong points because a lot of the nurses have worked there for more than ten years, sometimes up to thirty, which helps create a supportive environment and keeps the turnover rate low, around 7% a year, and families often notice how stable things feel because of this. The leadership team features specific people in charge, including a Medical Director, Director of Nursing Services, and a Rehabilitation Director, and there's even a board of directors with a Chairman and Vice Chairman, which isn't something you see everywhere.
The facility made the U.S. News & World Report's "Best Nursing Home" lists for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in 2021-2022, and Newsweek named it among the "2024 Best Nursing Homes" and "America's Best Nursing Homes 2024," so it gets recognized quite a bit for quality and safety. Nathaniel Witherell mainly provides skilled nursing care, short-term rehab, and support for seniors who need help with things like bathing, dressing, medication management, or more specialized memory care for those living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Residents can get care in private rooms and suites, and benefit from help of registered nurses, expert therapists, and a staff physiatrist right on site, with specific therapy spaces, like a 4,000 square foot rehabilitation gym for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and specialty services like speech and language pathology are available too. The rehab programs cover a lot-orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general medical rehabilitation (even for people recovering from heart surgery, Parkinson's, back surgery, or managing IV therapy), and there's a focus on creating individual treatment and exercise plans.
Staff members are compassionate and experienced, many are vested in patient care and this is something families talk about, saying the quality of life stands out compared to other places they've known, and the low turnover leads to good continuity in care. Nathaniel Witherell offers a range of services including assisted living, independent living, home care, memory care, nursing, senior apartments, and care homes, but it's mostly remembered for its skilled nursing and short-term rehab. Memory care programs are set up for seniors with cognitive troubles, and there are caregiver support programs to help families and caregivers manage the stress and responsibility, so families can stay involved, especially through the family council, which lets them talk to the administration and share ideas or concerns.
There's a lot going on day-to-day for residents outside of therapy-therapeutic recreation, plenty of social events like holiday dinners and ice cream socials, spelling bees, musical events, and assorted religious services, and volunteers also step in to help run activities, making the community feel welcoming. Facilities offer nutritious meals and pleasant spaces for daily living, and the approach focuses on person-centered care that tries to meet each person's needs as they arise. Residents see the same faces over time, which brings comfort, and staff treat people with respect and dignity. The campus feels open and green, with room to walk around, and the Colonial Revival architecture gives it a certain charm, all mixed with necessary modern upgrades for care and safety. Nathaniel Witherell runs as a not-for-profit, which means money goes back into programs, staff, and improving services rather than profit, and overall, it's a facility with a long history, modern approaches, good staff, and a practical range of care options for seniors and their families.
