West Jefferson Health Care Center in Harvey, LA serves about 68 residents in a building that's been around for quite a while, and you can tell because it has a bit of history to it, and folks here get care and support for different needs, with both skilled nursing and rehab services available along with wound care, therapy, and pharmacy help for those who need medicine or emergency prescriptions. Nurses and assistants, including RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, help residents with taking medicines, bathing, dressing, and moving from place to place, and the staff explains care plans to people in a way that's clear, with a focus on keeping dignity and self-respect. There's nursing support 12-16 hours most days, plus a 24-hour emergency call system, and you can find a mix of private rooms with their own bathrooms, kitchenettes, cable TV, and air conditioning, along with Wi-Fi and furnished spaces.
Residents have a lot to do, from the arts room, the game room, and the library, to fitness and wellness rooms, and even a movie theater, spa, sauna, and outdoor walking paths for getting fresh air. Music programs and resident-run activities are pretty common, with events from the wider community, outdoor group activities, and a business room for staying busy. Meals are served restaurant-style all day long, and there are choices for allergies, diabetes, or different tastes, and the food always looks and smells good.
Safety stays a priority, with full fire sprinklers, easy access to recent survey results, rules against mistreatment or theft, and staff who focus on safe and clean living areas. The center takes Medicare and Medicaid, and is not a Continuing Care Retirement Community, doesn't run family or resident councils, but keeps up with modern medical technology. The occupancy is about 65 percent, with 104 beds available, and there's always help on hand around the clock.
Some numbers show what life is like here: staff spend about 1.05 hours per resident, with CNAs putting in more time than nurses, and most people stay active and out of bed most of the day. Occasional challenges come up, like 13 percent of long-stay residents feeling more depression or anxiety, 10 percent losing too much weight, and a small number with pressure sores or using catheters. Vaccination rates reach about 66 percent for pneumonia and 75 percent for flu, and very few people are ever restrained or left mostly in bed. Meals, help with daily activities, and good explanations from staff come standard, and the facility works with partners like PCMAX and CJ. The building is old, yes, but the focus stays on caring for people, keeping them comfortable, and helping them live life the best they can.
