When living at home isn’t an option anymore, The Laurels of Chagrin Falls way of caring is exceeding service expectations

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The Laurels of Chagrin Falls offers rehabilitative care, short-term and long-term skilled nursing, respite care, outpatient therapy and hospice services, close to downtown. (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Patricia Nugent

For rehabilitative care, short-term and long-term skilled nursing, respite care, outpatient therapy and hospice services, The Laurels of Chagrin Falls offers a state-of-the-art therapy center and home-like accommodations to ensure the highest level of independence and quality of life.

Staying true to its tagline to “keep life interesting and purposeful,” the 82-bed facility is comprised of mostly private suites and some semi-private suites and includes an impressive variety of amenities, such as a beauty and barber shop, courtyard, spa and wheelchair-accessible bus.

“The advanced level of our therapy department is what makes us stand out,” says Gretchen Patrizi, director of marketing and admissions.“All of our therapists are employees of Laurel Healthcare. This benefits our rehab guests in many ways, one of which is a more effective therapy program customized to their specific needs. We also have a strong physician base, with top doctors from both the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. We’re always seeking out the best and brightest in the medical community and have just hired a new director of nursing.”

The beautiful facility, with its close proximity to downtown Chagrin Falls, is what many families find inviting.

The beautiful facility, with its close proximity to downtown Chagrin Falls, is what many families find inviting.

“When people think of going to a nursing home they can experience a myriad of emotions, says Jason O’Brien, who oversees the marketing staff throughout Northern Ohio. “After people tour here, they don’t feel that way. With our welcoming enclosed courtyard and smaller, homey atmosphere, I feel we are uniquely qualified to provide true patient-driven care.”

Short-term Respite Care
With many families getting ready to take that long-awaited family vacation this summer, and not knowing how to keep mom or dad safe while they’re away, The Laurels offers short-term respite care.

“We put the patient and the family first,” says Gretchen. “There are no minimums or limits, and respite residents have access to all the same amenities as our regular residents.”

For end-of-life, Jason mentions they handle the transition to palliative care and hospice as well, offering a path to comfort, understanding and emotional well-being for the resident and his or her family.

The Laurels of Chagrin Falls has earned a reputation for carving out different niches of care to complement the physical, occupational and speech therapy offered.

The facility has earned a reputation for carving out different niches of care to complement the physical, occupational and speech therapy offered. For instance, the team created a Covid Recovery Program to help seniors get back on their feet after suffering from the virus.

“We’ve also introduced outpatient therapy services to best meet the growing need and can provide transportation to and from a patient’s home for outpatient therapy,” says Gretchen.

What Residents’ Families are Saying
A kind and compassionate level of care is what residents and their families are saying about The Laurels in their glowing reviews.

Sommer E. moved her mother into the facility for rehab after she was released from the hospital. She says, “The rehab staff has done an outstanding job with my mom that is nothing short of a miracle. The difference between here and other places is that the staff really cares about the residents and truly encourages them. They celebrate their success as if it is their own family member and are very warm and friendly in their interactions. This is the first facility that my mom has called home.”

In the upcoming months, look for more in-depth Ask the Expert stories with a few of The Laurels of Chagrin Falls’ key staff members, covering topics such as “Understanding Medicaid when transitioning to long-term care,” and “Preventive tips for avoiding falls.”

The Laurels of Chagrin Falls is located at 150 Cleveland Street in Chagrin Falls, within walking distance of downtown and the falls. The facility has been named a “Best Workplace.” For more information, call 440-247-4200 or visit LaurelsOfChagrinFalls.com.