Updated October 2025: We have updated the article to reflect the April 2025 CMS regulatory changes impacting nursing home oversight, including stronger staffing and medication management protocols, expanded resident rights protections, new health equity quality requirements, and a greater emphasis on advanced assistive technologies and safety measures in resident care.
Maria Regina Nursing Home: A Beacon of Care in Brentwood
Maria Regina Nursing Home, located in the serene neighborhood of Brentwood, New York, is renowned for its exceptional care and community-driven environment. As a non-profit facility owned by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Maria Regina boasts a reputation reflected in its B+ rating from Elder Guide and a 3.8/5 rating on Caring.com. With a capacity for 188 certified beds and an average occupancy rate of approximately 75.69%, as noted by ProPublica, this facility stands as a testament to dedicated service and community care.
About Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing: A Community of Care
Maria Regina’s rich history dates back to its founding by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, whose mission has inspired the facility’s commitment to compassionate care. Their values of dignity, respect, and holistic well-being are seamlessly integrated into daily operations. According to the New York State Health Profiles, this non-profit status underscores the facility’s dedication to healthcare over profit. A sense of warmth and belonging resonates through testimonials from residents and their families, who often describe Maria Regina as a true home.
Services and Care Options at Maria Regina
Maria Regina is not just a nursing home; it is a comprehensive center offering a range of essential services. The facility provides skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, adult day care, and hospice care, ensuring that the unique needs of each resident are met. According to Seniorly, specialized programs in physical, occupational, and speech therapy cater to individuals recovering from cardiac issues or strokes. Many residents have found renewed independence and strength through these tailored therapies, as evidenced by recovery success stories shared on Elder Guide and Caring.com.
Facility Features and Amenities: Enhancing Resident Well-being
Creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for residents is a core focus at Maria Regina. The facility offers private room accommodations equipped with high-speed internet, emergency alert systems, and comfortable amenities. Community spaces, including beautifully manicured gardens and engaging activity rooms, provide residents with opportunities to socialize and enjoy various recreational activities. Seniorly highlights a “day in the life” at Maria Regina, which could involve morning exercise in the fitness program followed by gardening and relaxing with friends in the activity room. This enriching environment promotes the well-being and satisfaction of its residents.
Resident safety and mobility are paramount concerns at Maria Regina, and the introduction of adaptive solutions like VELA chairs serves to further enhance independence. These chairs are crucial in preventing falls and supporting mobility, which significantly increases residents’ quality of life. Implementing adaptive technologies and solutions is vital for ensuring that residents can navigate their environment safely and comfortably. One alternative for older adults wishing to maintain their independence at home is the innovative VELA Independence Chair. This medically approved mobility chair offers increased safety and freedom of movement while seated, aiding in daily activities such as cooking, dressing, and transferring. By reducing the physical burden on informal caregivers, the VELA chair becomes an essential tool for those aiming to support loved ones in maintaining a high quality of life in the comfort of their own homes.
Responding to recent industry trends, Maria Regina is increasingly integrating advanced assistive technology and ergonomically designed rehabilitation equipment into daily care. These include sensor-based fall prevention systems and smart mobility aids that help improve safety and support independent function, reducing staff burden while meeting individual resident needs. This technology-driven approach aligns with best practices seen across long-term care, enhancing both safety and autonomy for residents. (Sandberg Phoenix)
Staff and Quality Measures: Commitment to Superior Care
At Maria Regina, the quality of care is directly influenced by the quality of its staff. The facility maintains a staffing ratio of 3.41 nurse hours per resident daily, emphasizing the importance of attentive and professional care. According to ProPublica, the dedicated staff undergoes regular training and development programs to stay updated with best practices in elder care. Testimonials from staff members highlight their commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing environment, ensuring the highest standards of care are upheld.
In line with the 2025 CMS regulatory changes, Maria Regina applies enhanced oversight of nursing staffing using Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data and maintains licensed nurse and charge nurse coverage around the clock. The facility prioritizes preventive care and incident tracking, analyzing staffing data to identify and address links to adverse outcomes such as falls, dehydration, and pressure ulcers. Staff assignments and qualifications are regularly reviewed to maintain compliance with updated requirements and promote a safe and supportive environment. (CMS Surveyor Guidance 2025)
Staying Current: Regulatory and Quality Improvements
Maria Regina Nursing Home remains attentive to regulatory changes and national quality standards. As of April 2025, updated CMS surveyor guidance has strengthened requirements for nursing homes regarding oversight of staffing, psychotropic medication management, resident rights, admission/discharge protections, and quality assurance. The facility follows mandates on resident consent for medication changes and increased safeguards to prevent unnecessary transfers or discharges, ensuring respect for individual preference and health equity across all populations.
Broader health equity requirements are now built into quality assurance and performance improvement programs, requiring systematic review of care disparities among different racial, socioeconomic, and linguistic groups. Maria Regina incorporates these expectations into its continuous improvement strategies, supporting a more inclusive and equitable caregiving model.
Facilities like Maria Regina are also addressing updated infectious disease reporting requirements, effective January 1, 2025, which include broader expectations for transparency and patient safety. Adhering to these evolving standards underscores the facility’s commitment to both regulatory compliance and the highest quality of care for residents. (Sandberg Phoenix; CMS Surveyor Guidance 2025; PALTMed)
Supporting Staff and Residents: Leveraging Industry-Leading Resources
Maria Regina Nursing Home consistently explores partnerships and resources that enhance the living and working conditions within the facility. Collaborations with external experts and continuous investments in staff training are part of the proactive approach to maintaining industry standards and delivering exceptional quality care experiences for both residents and staff. The facility also adapts to new regulations and best practices to ensure continual improvement in both compliance and resident well-being.
Choosing the Right Care: Balancing Needs and Options
Deciding on the right care facility involves considering various factors, including the services and amenities that institutions like Maria Regina offer. As we evaluate our options, it is essential to compare these offerings to alternative solutions, such as adaptive equipment for home settings like VELA chairs. According to VELA Chairs, integrating these can be exceptionally beneficial for those seeking to combine nursing care with enhanced home independence.
Supporting Aging in Place: A Practical Option
While VELA is a proven and practical choice, it is recognized that it is not the only solution available. By offering such adaptable support, VELA chairs can potentially delay the need for more formalized care settings, allowing for sustained independence and comfort in the home environment. Consider exploring mobility and independence for seniors and nursing home fall prevention with VELA chairs to make an informed decision about enhancing home living conditions for seniors.
Sources:
– Sandberg Phoenix: Major CMS Revisions to Nursing Home Surveyor Guidance (2025)
– CMS Surveyor Guidance Summary PDF (Jan 2025)
– PALTMed: CMS Announcement and Details (2025)
– ProPublica Nursing Home Data for Maria Regina
– Medicare Care Compare: Maria Regina Residence