Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay is a medium-sized skilled nursing facility with 100 beds, operating under a for-profit, individually owned structure. The center participates in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, which enables them to provide care for a wide range of residents with varying healthcare payment needs. It is not part of a continuing care retirement community, meaning its services are focused specifically on short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care rather than offering a full continuum of senior living options.
The care provided at Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay includes both short-term rehabilitation for those recovering from hospital stays and ongoing support for residents who require assistance with daily living and medical needs. For short-term rehabilitation, the facility’s outcomes reflect that a portion of residents are able to return home after discharge. The incidence of falls with major injury, infections requiring hospitalization, and emergency room visits are all monitored as part of their quality measures. Residents receive an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes of nurse staffing per day, a factor that plays an important role in the delivery of both medical and supportive care.
Long-term care at the facility is designed to provide comprehensive assistance for residents who need daily help with activities such as dressing, eating, and mobility, as well as the management of chronic medical conditions. The ability to maintain independence in self-care varies among residents, and the majority are able to keep performing essential functions with support. The influenza vaccination rate among residents is also noted, demonstrating attention to preventative health measures. However, the center’s nurse staffing on weekends has been rated as poor compared to weekday staffing, which may influence consistency of care throughout the week.
Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay is subject to regular health, fire, and safety inspections, with recent findings indicating challenges in areas related to food service, nutrition, equipment maintenance, and timely care planning. Past inspections have cited issues such as insufficient staffing with specialized nutrition competencies, failure to meet individual dietary needs, and instances where food was not always presented in a palatable or safe manner. Equipment maintenance and appropriate infection prevention and controls have also been inspected, with efforts made to address and resolve identified concerns by the facility. The center has also experienced penalties in the form of monetary fines over the last three years.
Despite these challenges, Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehab at Ellijay continues to operate with the aim of supporting both short-term and long-term residents. The facility’s inclusion in Medicare and Medicaid programs ensures access for individuals with different financial resources, and ongoing efforts are directed at meeting regulatory requirements and improving care standards for its residents.