Bethesda Health Care Center is a medium-sized nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Cookeville, Tennessee, offering both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services. The center accommodates up to 120 residents and operates as a for-profit, corporately owned establishment. It participates in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, making it accessible to a broad range of individuals seeking skilled nursing and rehabilitative support. Although it is not part of a continuing care retirement community, Bethesda Health Care Center provides a variety of services designed to assist residents in regaining independence after hospital stays, as well as those who require ongoing support for daily living.
Residents at Bethesda Health Care Center benefit from an average rating in both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The facility’s performance indicates that it serves individuals recovering from medical events such as strokes, heart attacks, infections, or accidental injuries, with approximately half of its short-term rehabilitation residents able to return home after discharge. In its approach to care, the center emphasizes both medical and non-medical support, helping residents with medication management, personal care routines, eating, dressing, and mobility. The percentage of residents maintaining the ability to perform daily tasks with minimal assistance is notably high, and the majority receive routine preventive services such as annual influenza vaccinations.
The nursing staff at Bethesda Health Care Center provides an average of three hours and twenty-six minutes of direct care per resident each day. However, staffing consistency on weekends is rated below average when compared to weekdays. Despite this variance, the overall nurse presence ensures that residents’ medical and personal needs are addressed. Emergency situations are managed with care, with the rate of serious infections progressing to hospitalization and the need for emergency room visits recorded and monitored as part of ongoing quality assurance.
Bethesda Health Care Center undergoes regular health, fire, and safety inspections, with its most recent surveys indicating opportunities for improvement in areas such as care planning, communication with residents and families, treatment protocols, respect for residents’ dignity, and the maintenance of a comfortable and homelike environment. These inspections have also reviewed aspects like privacy, safe food preparation, infection control, staffing levels, and the posting of required staffing information. Violations noted in these reviews have ranged from care planning and treatment to the prevention of accidents and provision of specialized care for residents requiring colostomy, respiratory care, or support for continence.
In terms of safety, Bethesda Health Care Center meets national standards as established in fire protection regulations and has demonstrated responsiveness in addressing identified issues. Oversight reports show that documented areas of concern have generally been associated with low risk for harm and have affected a limited number of residents. The facility has also taken steps to resolve deficiencies identified during inspection cycles, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving care quality and resident well-being.
Bethesda Health Care Center remains a significant part of the local care landscape, serving seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. Its range of services, qualified staff, and continued participation in federal and state healthcare programs make it a viable option for those seeking both rehabilitation after acute illness or injury and long-term supportive care.
