The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth Recognized for Excellence in Senior Care

The rehabilitation and nursing center was recognized for its dedication to cultural change philosophies to better care for elders.

The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth was awarded the Golden Q by LifeSpan Network, the largest senior care provider association in the Mid-Atlantic. The award was presented in May at the organization’s annual convention. The rehabilitation and nursing center was recognized for its dedication to cultural change philosophies to better care for elders. The Neighborhoods serve as a model for senior care facilities across the country.

The facility prides itself on being a home to its elderly residents by creating neighborhoods that provide a sense of community with elders giving significant input.

On each floor, visitors and elders see a spacious living room that has replaced a nursing station, making each neighborhood an inviting home and not a healthcare facility. This person-centered approach focuses more on the needs and desires of the elders, creating a sense of home.

These specialized neighborhoods are staffed by interdisciplinary teams led by empowered human service professionals, known as Neighborhood Guides, who manage all aspects of care. This allows Neighborhood Nurses, with a full-time geriatric physician, to devote their time to attending to the medical needs of elders. The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth require all staff to have a substantial knowledge base so that each employee can participate in decision-making.

“I am so grateful to LifeSpan Network for recognizing the hard work, innovation and creativity of the staff at The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth,” said Christine Podles, administrator for The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth. “LifeSpan Network makes it easy for its members to embrace culture change to improve the lives of our elders. At The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth we use the core principles from LifeSpan’s Wellspring Program, which promotes new ways of thinking about quality of care and life for nursing home residents, along with other cultural change philosophies to really create a model for excellence in senior care.”

Isabella Firth, president of LifeSpan Network, says, “The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth’s commitment to running a facility with the best interest of its diverse group of elders in mind, coupled with a mission to empower both the elders and employees, has immensely improved quality of care, resident satisfaction and employee satisfaction at the community,” said “It is our pleasure to recognize The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth among its peers for its tremendous accomplishments and dedication to resident and employee satisfaction.”