Click here to view the flyer.

Click here to view the flyer.

Ortiz entered Extended Care in October 2022 after leaving Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He was weak and unable to walk so he participated in physical therapy and received wound care for his foot until it healed completely. Staff members also helped him manage his diabetes.

He is grateful for the treatment he received at Extended Care.

“If it wasn’t for coming here, I would be dead,” he said.

In addition to treating his physical ailments, Extended Care personnel worked with Ortiz and his health insurance company to find him a permanent home. When he was hospitalized, Ortiz was living in a garage used to store his car. Now he lives in an apartment for low-income and disabled individuals in Newark. 

Extended Care’s Social Services Department contacted Ortiz’s health insurance company and they were able to establish home health services for him, including a visiting nurse, and necessary equipment like a blood pressure machine and glucometer. The insurance company also provided furnishings for the apartment, including furniture, kitchen supplies and even clothing.

Licensed Practical Nurse Maria Cruz, who was one of the nurses to care for Ortiz, said she is very happy that Extended Care was able to help him find stable housing and ensure a safe transition upon discharge. Cruz encouraged Ortiz not to rush the discharge process but instead wait until he had everything he needed in the apartment to set him up for success.

Ortiz’s sister is involved in his care and will be helping him with medication administration and making sure he attends doctors’ appointments. As a diabetic, he always needs to manage that condition.

Cruz said the visiting nurse will check his blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as make sure he is taking his prescribed medication. He will also have a home health aide who will help with meal prepping because Ortiz doesn’t cook.

“We’re trying to keep the system rolling so he can be safe,” Cruz said.

Ortiz is happy to be in his own home. He recommends Extended Care to anyone in need of its services.

“It was very good and the staff was very nice,” he said.

New Community Extended Care Facility is a skilled nursing facility located at 266 South Orange Ave., Newark. It offers long-term care, short-term care, subacute care and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. For more information, visit newarknursinghome.org or call 973-624-2020.

Watch a video from the Open House:

Attendees will be able to tour the facility, meet the team, learn about offered services, gain information and network.

If you’re interested, RSVP by calling 973-585-9610 or emailing jvannooten@newcommunity.org.

Click here to view the flyer.

Attendees will be able to tour the facility, meet the team, learn about offered services, gain information and network.

If you’re interested, RSVP by calling 973-585-9610 or emailing jvannooten@newcommunity.org.

Click here to view the flyer.

Ray said she couldn’t walk and needed help strengthening her legs and hands. Her condition caused her to stay at University Hospital for a short time. The hospital recommended that she receive physical therapy at Extended Care to help in her recovery. She agreed and came to the facility on Sept. 9.

Ray called the physical therapy she received at Extended Care “fabulous.”

“I’ve come a long way,” she said. “They helped me a lot with my walking and my hands are much better because I’ve been doing exercises for them.”

Her improvement allowed her to return home on Oct. 12. While she still needs a walker, she’s hopeful that it won’t be for long.

Extended Care Licensed Practical Nurse Maria Cruz said that in addition to providing Ray with physical therapy and pain management, staff members were able to educate her and her daughter about resources available to them that they were unaware of. The staff explained how to get medical transportation so they wouldn’t need to use a cab service to get to and from doctor appointments and also gave them information about resources to help pay utility bills.

“It was a quick stay but she appreciated every bit of it,” Cruz said. “When we did the discharge meeting, they said they were more than grateful for everything we did for them.”

Ray lives in Newark with her daughter and their two cats: Tiny and Midnight. She was happy to return home to them after her stay at Extended Care and hopes that with her continued exercises she will be able to remain there.

The 80-year-old is optimistic about her prognosis.

“I know I’ve got a ways to go but I think I’m capable. I think I can do it,” she said. “It’s just going to take some time.”

She’s grateful for the services she received at Extended Care, saying the people were nice and the nurses worked hard. She has no complaints and recommends the facility to anyone in need of services.

Ray is going to use what she learned at Extended Care to continue her recovery.

“At home, I’m going to keep practicing my stretching and my walking,” she said.

New Community Extended Care Facility is a skilled nursing facility located at 266 South Orange Ave., Newark. It offers long-term care, short-term care, subacute care and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. For more information, visit newarknursinghome.org or call 973-624-2020.