Father Murray, a Villa Center, sits at 8444 Engleman in Center Line, Michigan, and it's part of the St. John Health network, which connects to hospitals and clinics all over southeast Michigan, so there's a lot of health knowledge behind the care here. People know it as Father Murray Nursing Ctr and it's a faith-based home that's got more than 200 beds, mostly shared three to a room, and they're pretty small, so it can feel crowded, and there's not much space for visitors except in the dining areas, though the place does try to keep the common rooms looking a bit homey and put together for folks who want to gather or have a chat. Residents in wheelchairs often line the hallways, passing the time between meals and the activity programs, which are mostly bingo, music now and then, and some religious services and spiritual activities, and although they do what they can with the social and recreational programs, some visitors feel the atmosphere can be a little gloomy, maybe because the TVs in the rooms are small and sometimes loud, and beyond bingo and music, there might not be much going on.
They offer skilled nursing, rehab, long-term care, respite, hospice, and terminal care, and they're licensed in Michigan, so Medicare and Medicaid help pay for care if you qualify. Their therapy department covers physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus wound dressing changes, and there's regular lab work, X-rays, and visits from dentists, podiatrists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and eye doctors, so if someone needs medical checks or help, the service is right there. People with Alzheimer's or other dementias have housing and care with a focus on safety, where spaces are set up to avoid confusion and wandering, and staff give regular updates to families-families say the staff are caring and do their best, and because of their attention and knowledge, most residents get what they need.
There are special program names for the different areas of care, like "Villa Center," but in practice it means there's always an effort to match services to the individual, especially with medication management and help with assisted living needs. Meals go straight to the rooms, and there's a menu that tries to fit everyone's diet, or you might see people eating together when they can-with pet visitation allowed and an outside area for fresh air, but to get there, you have to go through the physical therapy room, and you can only use it in good weather, so it's not always easy to sit outside. The place tries to give comfort, with chapel space for prayer or quiet, and all the care runs day and night under state rules, plus they follow all the current CDC, state, and local COVID-19 rules, so they try to keep everyone as safe as possible. Despite being part of a big healthcare network and having plenty of programs and clinical services, some folks find the layout tight and wish for more spaces to visit or do things. Still, the focus stays on keeping residents as comfortable and well as they can manage, giving personalized care and making sure everyone has a plan that fits their needs, whether it's short-term rehab or longer stays.
