Van Duyn Center For Rehabilitation And Nursing sits on Onondaga Hill in Syracuse, New York, right next to Upstate University Hospital Community Campus, and you can't miss the scenic views and green walking paths all around the property, which gives folks a bit of fresh air and space to stretch their legs when they want, and it's a pretty big place too, with 513 certified beds and an average of about 492 residents on any typical day, so there's always people around, both staff and residents, but there's a real strong focus on skilled nursing and rehabilitation care, long-term stays, short-term rehab if that's what someone needs, palliative care, and special programs for Alzheimer's or dementia, plus all the basics-nutrition, respiratory support, help from social workers and case management staff, and respite care for folks who just need a little break. Van Duyn has a professional group of caregivers, and they try to make it feel a little more like home, which is something a lot of families look for; people have said the place is clean and that staff put in a lot of effort with residents who require extra attention, especially those who have health or behavioral challenges that aren't easy.
The Center received recognition for good meals with a Best Meals and Dining award, and got the Best of Senior Living All Star Award for overall strong reviews from residents and families, averaging a 9.4 out of 10 over 50 reviews, which speaks to some good experiences, though like any big place, there've been some issues-there are documented deficiencies relating to infection control, pest problems, and failures around abuse prevention, which they've worked to address since becoming a special focus facility candidate, meaning the government is watching their reported quality closer but hasn't flagged them formally. Van Duyn is privately owned, most of the ownership belonging to Uri Koenig and the rest to Efraim Steif, who's also been in charge since 2017.
Affiliation with Upstate Services Group brings in a variety of services, so besides basic care, the facility can manage things like emergency help, inpatient and outpatient care, maternal and pediatric services, wellness programs, diagnostic imaging such as PET scans or ultrasounds, cardiac procedures like angiography and balloon angioplasty, muscular dystrophy clinics, and more, so it's got wide medical support beyond just senior living. They operate Central Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center programs within, which puts a special focus on getting folks back to their old routines when possible, and there's a team always working on infection control and improving past problem areas, but it's important to mention that the facility carries a 1-star rating from CMS for both inspections and staffing, so families should be sure to look at recent updates and visit personally if they can. Along with all this, Van Duyn Center offers activities and amenities to help residents stay active and engaged, balancing medical care with social opportunities in a place that tries to be welcoming.
