Cummings Health Care Facility is a small, for-profit nursing home situated in Howland, Maine. With a capacity of 34 beds, it provides both long-term care and short-stay rehabilitation services, participating in both Medicare and Medicaid programs to accommodate a range of resident needs and financial situations. The facility is not part of a continuing care retirement community, meaning it primarily offers focused nursing and rehabilitative care rather than a full spectrum of independent or assisted living options. Its ownership is corporate, and the facility functions independently, not within a hospital setting.
The nursing home's care is structured to support residents with daily assistance related to both medical and non-medical needs, such as medication administration, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, and using the bathroom. The staff-to-resident ratio is a notable aspect, featuring an average of three hours and twenty-seven minutes of nursing attention per resident each day, with particularly strong consistency in staffing levels between weekdays and weekends. This level of care is essential in maintaining the well-being and daily functioning of the resident population, with a significant portion—about 87.4%—maintaining the ability to move, eat, or perform routine activities without assistance. Additionally, preventive care measures such as flu vaccinations are emphasized, with approximately 80.3% of residents receiving their annual influenza immunizations.
Cummings Health Care Facility undergoes regular health, fire, and safety inspections to ensure high standards of resident protection and facility safety. Regular evaluations have addressed factors such as accident prevention, food safety, infection control, posting of nurse staffing information, environmental comfort, and the protocols provided to ensure residents are informed about their health and care plans. Areas under review have included supervision to prevent accidents, proper storage and preparation of food in alignment with professional standards, and the implementation of infection control programs. Certain inspection findings identified areas where the facility needed to improve, including providing adequate supervision, ensuring residents are fully informed about their health status, and promptly communicating with residents, families, and doctors in case of significant changes in a resident’s condition.
The facility is designed to foster a safe and comfortable environment for its residents, paying attention to details such as environmental cleanliness and the creation of a homelike atmosphere that supports both safety and daily living activities. Though the home experienced periods of increased scrutiny by regulatory agencies due to documented patterns of care, measures have been taken to address these concerns and enhance the quality of service provided.
Payment for services at Cummings Health Care Facility is available through both Medicare, for short-term rehabilitation following a qualifying hospital stay, and Medicaid for eligible long-term residents after other resources are exhausted. The facility encourages clear communication with families regarding costs and payment options to ensure transparency and help residents make informed decisions about their care.
Overall, Cummings Health Care Facility maintains a steady commitment to meeting the personal and medical needs of its residents. Emphasis on staffing consistency, preventive health measures, and a dedication to continuous improvement in care practices underscore the facility's objective to provide a safe and supportive environment for older adults requiring nursing care in the community.