ODA survey: Otterbein small houses among best in state

LEBANON, Ohio – March 5, 2010 – A resident survey released March 4 by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) gives high kudos to two of Otterbein Homes’ skilled nursing care and rehabilitation locations. Avalon by Otterbein at Atrium and the Jane Baker House at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Community each placed in the top 25 of Ohio nursing homes in the ODA’s 2009 Long-term Care Resident Satisfaction Survey.

Out of a possible 100, Avalon by Otterbein at Atrium rated 96. Located in Warren County, the small house neighborhood sits on the campus of the Atrium Medical Center in Franklin.

Jeff Singleton, the guide at Avalon by Otterbein at Atrium, said they are thrilled with the ranking.

“The satisfaction survey is a confirmation that our goals, our plans and our efforts are pleasing our customers. We will continue to work on being a thorough, consistent and efficient service, and we are excited that our survey results confirm that we are on the right track!” he said.

“We have an enthused and dedicated leadership staff who view the small house concept as more than a job; it is our mission,” Singleton explained. “We have been blessed with a working staff who want to be a part of something new and different - to change the face of long-term care in liberating elders from the mindset of institutional care. And we offer the best of both worlds - excellent care and rehabilitative services in a home-like setting and atmosphere.”

Rhonda Wolpert, executive director of Otterbein North Shore Retirement Community, said residents and partners at the Jane Baker House are very excited that the small house offering exceptional skilled nursing care and rehabilitation was ranked so high.

“It is good to know that people are telling others about the good care and outstanding service they received at the Jane Baker House,” Wolpert said. “The small house is such a unique environment to receive skilled care. Our partners and therapy work very well together and these results prove that people like what we do.”

Out of a possible 100, the Jane Baker House rated 95. The Jane Baker House is located in Lakeside in Ottawa County.

Otterbein locations throughout the state scored well, with a cumulative average of 89.6, well above the ODA’s average nursing home satisfaction score statewide of 85.8.

“There is nobody better qualified to rate the quality of care facilities than those who live there and receive services,” said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Department of Aging. “Nursing homes and residential care facilities are an integral part of the long-term care system in Ohio and we are pleased that many continue to show a commitment to quality care and quality of life for their residents.”

The survey was conducted between August of 2009 and January of 2010 by Vital Research, LLC. The report said staff from Vital Research, Scripps Gerontology Center of Miami University and the Blenkner Institute trained interviewers, who met face-to-face with a sample of residents at each facility to fill out the survey, which was developed by Scripps and the Blenkner Institute.

Residents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the facility's environment, activities, administration, direct care/nursing assistants, laundry, meals and dining, social services, therapy, laundry and general satisfaction with the facility, according to the media release. Researchers identified two key questions for residents to consider: “Overall, do you like this facility?” and “Would you recommend this facility to a family member or friend?”

At both Avalon by Otterbein at Atrium and the Jane Baker House, 100 percent of those asked said they would recommend it to others.

The full survey results are available on the Ohio Long-term Care Consumer Guide Web site (www.ltcohio.org).

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