1 Star User Review
Family member who has been at the facility more than 1 year.
Overall I would rate The Plaza as one of the better nursing facilities in Houston.
(experience with several facilities)
Downside – very, very expensive! Costs increase every year.
Continence supplies are an add-on and not included in daily room cost.
No in facility eye care and only basic dental cleaning, any other care required, resident has to go outside of facility for help. Can be a problem with limited mobility.
No van program to take resident to outside medical appointments.
They accept Medicare but do not accept Medicaid, so it is not
a transitional facility with regard to asset depletion or limitation.
Limited number of physicians with privileges, so limited choice of doctors.
Private rooms are small, could have better storage.
Common dining room is small, hard for staff to maneuver residents.
Activities are average, not great, and don’t always happen as scheduled. (typical of many facilities.)
Upside:
It is a non-profit, privately owned facility. Not a chain.
Generally this is a positive aspect with regard to care facilities.
Atmosphere is contemporary and pleasant (but you are paying for it).
Facility is generally clean. Laundry service is adequate.
Food choice is better than most facilities.
Staff appears to be well trained with using Hoyer lifts.
Staff is generally polite and responsive to involved family members.
Residents appear to be comfortable with staff, treated kindly and appear to feel safe.
Electric beds are standard and can be lowered to floor (BUT crash pads not supplied, must be purchased by family)
Physical therapy is available (but continued maintenance therapy gets expensive)
Other:
They’ve had a problem in last few years keeping their DON (director of nursing).
Although high turn-over staff rates are a common issue in care facilities, it can reflect poor management and poor communication channels. Staff turn-over rates at Plaza are average.
Staff demeanor is generally polite, and cooperative. (Weekends can be an issue though as far as communication continuity, and attentiveness to need. In fairness, unfortunately, this is typical of most facilities.)
If you check their Medicare inspection reports etc., this facility generally has fewer endangerment issues such as med mismanagement, pressure sores (bed sores), flu outbreaks, etc.
Continence care is always a problem at any facility. It depends on staff training, RN oversight, communication with resident and family member. Look at a facility’s UTI rates. UTIs occur because of dehydration, poor cleaning procedure, lack of glove change, sitting in soiled briefs too long,
leaking or improperly sized/absorbent briefs. Catheters require close attention as to cleaning procedure, sterilized tubing and appropriate strapping for comfort/safety.
The Buckingham/Plaza has had its share of UTI occurrence, and don’t always notice if a resident has a UTI. But, Staff is generally responsive to family request for review and testing. Follow up by family members is important with regard to treatment and retest for clearance.
Family Members:
The more involved you are the better care for the resident.
The Buckingham is appears to be comfortable with this.
Know your family member’s habits and patterns.
MRSA can be a problem at ANY institutional facility.
(If an open wound occurs because of a fall or mishap, have it tested for possible MRSA.)
Don’t assume there is always clear communication between resident, staff and doctor. Get copies of all tests and keep your own log to track occurrence or tendencies. Don’t be shy to ask for procedural staff reviews.
Overall rating for The Plaza:
I would recommend this facility for consideration to a friend.
Although I think it is overpriced, comparatively, for real services rendered, the quality of care is generally consistent and the staff is generally polite and cooperative with involved family members.
Review submitted 2013