Newark resident Alenda Mills has had positive experiences at New Community Extended Care Facility. She has received short-term care and physical therapy at the facility when needed and most recently returned home on May 8.
Mills was admitted to University Hospital this spring and medical personnel recommended that she receive in-patient care and rehabilitation in a facility because of knee pain due to arthritis and the possibility of a fall. Mills said her legs and feet were very swollen and she couldn’t walk.
She chose Extended Care from the list of options offered to her by University Hospital staff. She first became aware of Extended Care because a late uncle of hers had stayed at the facility. When she used the services, her experience was very positive.
“They take good care of me. From what I see, they keep the rooms clean and keep the patients clean,” Mills said. “I always tell them, I don’t want to go anywhere else but here. Because they’re just like family to me. They’re good to me.”
Mills has had a few short stays at Extended Care and recommends the facility to others.
Extended Care Licensed Practical Nurse Maria Cruz said Mills has been a good patient.
“She’s happy here. She lets us know what she wants, how she wants it and we make sure she gets it,” Cruz said. “And her family’s very good.”
Mills’ sister serves as her home health aide through New Jersey’s Personal Preference Program (PPP), which allows qualifying participants to choose their caregivers. Mills said her sister handles her bills, does her shopping and laundry and sometimes cooks for her. Cruz said that while Mills is at Extended Care, her sister visits and calls her often.
Mills is familiar with the health care environment. Before she got sick, she worked at area hospitals and nursing homes making beds, helping feed and dress patients and teaching patients how to make small items like potholders. As a patient, she took advantage of the activities offered at Extended Care, including games like bingo, outdoor cookouts and Friday parties.
While she hopes not to need in-patient rehabilitation in the future, if she does, Extended Care will be her first choice.
“No place else but here,” she said.
