Original story by Jason Jordan in The Evening Tribune
http://www.eveningtribune.com/news/20160713/elderwood-takes-root-locally
July 13, 2016 – Hornell, N.Y.

From uncertain future to a facility looking to rapidly expand its services, the former McAuley Manor nursing home facility has taken a step towards stability as Elderwood of Hornell.

The transition officially happened in April, when staff began being payed by the new entity.

Post Acute Partners owns 28 facilities under the Elderwood banner, and will soon expand to 45 locations across the northeast.
On Tuesday, Post Acute Partners CEO Jeffery Rubin appeared at the North Hornell facility to update the community and address any concerns about continuum of care during the transition.

The purchase of McAuley Manor was a smooth one, according to Rubin.

“Hornell was number 27, and it was a delight bringing it under the Elderwood brand. They fit in seamlessly and flawlessly. It could not have been nicer,” he said. “Hopefully no changes were noticed.”

Rubin first met with about 40 residents of the facility, who expressed their desire to see updates to the building made sooner than later.

The CEO confirmed that they plan to make about $500,000 in renovations.

“Time is important to those of us who are living here,” a resident said frankly. “We want to be around to see them.”

The work is set to begin in the next 6 to 9 months, pending state bureaucratic approvals, and will take approximately 6 months to complete. Improvements will include and outpatient rehab gym; a new phone system that will ring directly to rooms and not the nursing station; and new lift equipment.

Rubin also expressed confidence in the strength of the facility’s finances and market position.

“We’re very comfortable with the finances of this facility. It’s not broken financially. It’s a very strong facility,” he said.
Residents praised the staff and condition of the facility. The addition of telephones and televisions in each room was greatly appreciated.

The CEO said the company would be willing to accommodate almost any request so long as it squared with compliance laws and regulations.

“When you have a company of 4,500 employees sometimes you have to do things to protect that,” he explained.
Rubin then met with local officials and site staff and gave a past, present and future narrative of the McAuley Manor to Elderwood transition.

Meetings between Post Acute Partners and St. James began in 2014.

“The passion of St. James leadership for the community they serve let us know that this was the right partnership.” Rubin said. “We could not be happier to be a part of this community.”

He hopes to bring the passion, and back it up with a dedicated staff. The company has a Buffalo-based executive team of 160 who are tasked with facilitating individual locations.

“We take it personally and seriously, and our reputation means a lot,” Rubin said.

Rubin outlined his vision for a facility that is more focused on reducing the need for length hospital stays.

“We knew we would have to work with providers like acute care hospitals and home healthcare agencies and outpatient rehabs. It’s all about better outcomes, less hospital days, and less re-hospitalizations,” he said.

Whether that will mean staff additions remains to be seen.

“That will be up to local administrators, but we never understaff our buildings,” the CEO said.

To accomplish the skilled nursing model, Rubin said his company is open to forming partnerships to train and place nurses locally. The company will also explore adding more of its assisted living, pharmacy,

“The idea is to keep people in the community. That’s a large focus for us,” he said, a move that could present even more opportunity from a future that was uncertain less than a year ago.