Whitestone Care Center sits in the Pocono Mountains, close to Routes 80 and 611, and belongs to a for-profit corporation that runs skilled nursing care within a larger continuing care retirement community. Residents can get Medicaid or Medicare to help with costs, and there's transportation along with parking to make coming and going easier. The place tries to help people feel at home, with things like house-keeping, laundry, move-in help, a concierge, and meals made by a professional chef, who serves food restaurant-style and prepares special or allergy-sensitive diets as needed, including for diabetes. The rooms come furnished with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, cable TV, telephones, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning, so residents have most of what they need without much hassle. There's a lot to do, too - movie theater, game room, music programs, and a calendar full of daily activities, plus outdoor spaces, walking paths, gardens, arts and craft rooms, a library, a fitness room, and even a community theater.
For care, they offer everything from independent living and assisted living to long-term, memory, and skilled nursing care, along with adult care home, home care, hospice, and support and referrals. People who can't get around on their own get extra support, like a 24-hour call system, assistance with bathing, dressing, transfers, medication help, and supervision day and night. Skilled nursing is available 12-16 hours a day, with 24-hour supervision for anyone frail or needing rehabilitation between the hospital and home. There's a focus on recovery with physical, occupational, and speech therapy, including pre-surgery exercise programs, all delivered by an interdisciplinary team that coordinates treatment and works to support each resident's progress. They try hard to plan ahead for those coming for short rehabilitative stays with their pre-registration program, so the transition is smoother. Whitestone has won recognition from the American Health Care Association's 2020 Quality Initiative, and the community likes to mark holidays and special days like Grandparents Day and Halloween with activities and events that bring people together. While all the basics are in place - food, shelter, security, and social opportunities - the aim seems to be a steady, dependable environment where each person's care needs are met with attention and dignity.
