Visiting the facility at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, you get the feeling you could be in a nice hotel lobby. I was greeted by a beautiful Zen-like fountain and warm décor, followed by a cheery receptionist ready to assist me. I’m not sure what I expected, but was pleasantly surprised at what I found. Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a busy place with so many choices for the residents. It didn’t take long to realize this was home away from home for those needing rehabilitation and nursing services.

Todd Roper, Administrator, started the tour of amenities with their newly renovated dining area complete with a stone gas fireplace, a 60” plasma TV, a digital baby grand piano, and a new deli menu. The atmosphere was very elegant and a great place for friends to meet, eat and socialize! Part of the tour included, my favorite, the hair salon. Another living room/social area was available for relaxing and private parties like the Super Bowl Party, where the game was viewed on the wide screen. Don’t think, however, that everyone is sitting around watching TV at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. There is an events calendar full of entertainment, dancing and other social activities for residents to choose from.

It is very apparent that Todd and his staff are intent on not only providing quality care for the residents, but also providing a fun environment for them to recover and live. “Each resident is different and has different preferences,” says Todd. “It is part of our job to offer alternate ways for them to reach their goals that also appeals to their individuality.” A good example of this is their Wii-hab, an exercise program using a Nintendo Wii. Oh don’t get me wrong, they have a state-of-the-art gym, but for those who dread the machines, the Wii does wonders according to Todd. Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s ADL suite, or Activities of Daily Living suite, is a kitchen stocked with stainless steel appliances where residents can transition back into everyday home life. With the help of a therapist, they practice their daily routines to ensure they are ready before returning home.

Rehab Director and Speech Therapist Dr. Nicole Roper leads a dedicated team of physical, occupational and speech therapists. “It is our mission to motivate each person we work with,” says Dr. Roper. “We are their biggest cheerleaders, full of ‘you can do it’ attitudes. We celebrate their improvements, especially the small ones, because we know those are the hardest for residents to overcome. I couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable group of professionals to work with. Not only are the rehab staff exceptional therapists in their respective fields, they go out of their way to make residents feel at ease and at home during their therapy. Our true reward is results. We are thrilled to see people walk out of here who may have come into our facility on a stretcher. Many come back to visit, bring baked goods and talk about their success story. There’s just nothing better!”

After speaking with Owner and Administrator Joshua Sherrill, I realized where the staff’s inspiration originates from. He is a fourth generation Long Term Care Provider and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Josh explained how it all began when his great grandmother, Florence Thompson, opened one of the first long term care nursing facilities in Bladen County, North Carolina. The rest is history still in the making. “I’ve grown up in this industry, and have never seriously considered doing anything else,” says Josh. “It is very rewarding to have a job where you have the opportunity to make a profound impact upon the lives of so many people. You receive blessings and life experiences every single day you go to work.”

The family-owned, state-of-the-art facility is equipped to hold 90 residents at any given time. They offer both private and semi-private rooms, all wired for phone and cable services, and the residents receive both short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care. Making the Center run smoothly, according to Josh, is one of the facilities largest assets… its staff. He talked about them with great respect and meticulously didn’t leave anyone out from the housekeepers, dietary staff, maintenance, office employees and activities staff to the therapy department, managers, department heads, and the nurses and CNA’s, whom he calls “the backbone of a complex system.” Josh continues, “Under the supervision of Michael DeSantis, MD, the nursing staff works with all the residents and their family physicians.” With great pride he remarked, “We have quality individuals of good character in every role. Conover Nursing and Rehab is lucky to have such an incredible group of dedicated employees.”

There is one employee that Josh forgot to mention, but is loved by all, and that is a dog named Sophie. She was adopted and has become family to every employee and resident at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She walks the halls as if she owns the place and offers more than a little extra fun and companionship.

I asked Josh what made his facility different from other facilities in Catawba County, and he replied, “The residents of Catawba County and of North Carolina in general are lucky to have many quality options when it comes to making long-term care decisions, and I have an abundance of respect for my colleagues in this industry. One thing that I feel makes us unique is that we are family-owned and operated. Not being part of a much larger corporate structure, we can hopefully keep and convey that family, hands-on mentality. This is a home, first and foremost.”

All of the staff at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, including Sophie, take ownership in what their individual responsibilities provide toward offering the client excellent care, while making everyone’s stay an enjoyable, comfortable and productive one. They work as a family to create an environment that is always willing to welcome a new member. The Center continuously surveys patients to make sure they are living up to their mission and goals. “No one is better qualified to determine if we are successful than the patients themselves,” says Todd Roper.

So far, the reviews have supported that their approach is spot on. One wrote, “From the first day I came here, I have never met so many wonderful, caring, friendly, kind people in one place. Everyone has been so good to me, going out of their way to do so many nice things for me. Thanks to each and every one of you for helping me get well again.” Another wrote, “Feels more like home…than home!” And these are just a few of many. The facility has been described by more than one family member as “the cleanest facility I’ve ever seen.” The success of their efforts is further confirmed when many former residents come back to visit. It’s no surprise they try to visit when their favorite event is taking place! Hey, can I get a copy of that events calendar?!

For more information about
Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s services or facility
call 828.695.8282 or visit
www.ConoverNursingandRehab.com.
Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
920 4th Street SW• Conover, NC 28613