Tillers is Recognized by U.S News & World Report in 2012 Best Nursing Homes

The Tillers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has received a high ranking of five stars overall in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Nursing Homes, released today. U.S. News’s Best Nursing Homes recognizes top-rated homes in all 50 states and offers important guidance to families and healthcare providers caring for people in need of a nursing home.

“More than 3 million Americans will spend part of 2012 in a nursing home, and trying to decide under pressure which one is best isn’t easy,” says Avery Comarow, Health Rankings Editor. “Top-rated nursing homes are worth considering and deserve special recognition.”

U.S. News’s evaluation of nursing homes is based on data from Nursing Home Compare, a consumer website run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The government agency sets and enforces standards for nursing homes (defined as facilities or portions of facilities enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid that provide 24-hour nursing care and other medical services). Homes earn an overall rating of one to five stars, as well as up to five stars in each of three underlying categories: health inspections, nurse staffing, and quality of care. U.S. News updates each nursing home’s ratings data quarterly.

Of more than 15,500 homes rated and profiled on the U.S. News website, The Tillers Nursing and Rehabilitation was among the fewer than 1 in 8 that received a five-star overall rating in all four quarters of 2011.

“The Tillers will strive to continue the exceptional quality of care our community has grown to expect from us over the years”, said Bob Saxon, administrator. “It is an honor for The Tillers to be recognized for the third year in a row and a privilege to care for the residents in our area.”

We Celebrate Years of Service

Sharon French and Kelly Chandler, long time residents in the Oswego area, are no strangers to what it takes to make a successful team. Both Sharon and Kelly have worked together caring for the residents of The Tillers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oswego as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) for over 18 years. Sharon just celebrated her 38th year as an employee of The Tillers and Kelly Chandler is in her 23rd year of service. Where you see one of them, you will see the other. Through the years, these women have created systems that work to get the job done and give superior care to their residents.
Years ago when Sharon first came to the Tillers, she had no idea that this job would have such a great impact on other people’s lives. As years went on, she realized this was someone’s mom or dad potentially in their last stages of life, or maybe just needing a few weeks of care for rehabilitation after surgery. Either way, these residents need a caring hand, compassion, and someone to take care of them just as they were her own family. Sharon says, “I like to go home each day thinking I have touched someone else’s life. You see so many people in pain and it is rewarding if I can just put a smile on their face.”
According to Kelly, she says “many days being a CNA is a thankless job, but we get to spoil the residents and care for them in a way that families can’t. Our residents rely on us, so this is more than a job to me because we become part of their family.” One resident even told her that she was so afraid when she admitted to The Tillers because she had never been to a facility for rehabilitation before, but didn’t realize how fun a skilled nursing facility could be!
When asked why Sharon has stayed at The Tillers for all these years, she responded, “I love working for the Saxon family and I have no reason to go anywhere else. It’s personal, has a family feel, and it is an excellent place to work.” Tillers is known for their longevity of employees and even has an employee Wall of Fame for individuals that have been there over 25 years! Tillers has been family owned and operated for 39 years with the Saxon family on it’s premises each day. Such longevity of employees in this field is highly unusual, and along with the exceptional staff is something that makes The Tillers stand out from other nursing and rehabilitation facilities in the area.
To learn more about The Tillers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, you can check them out on their website http://www.thetillers.com/ or follow them on Facebook.