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Long-Term Care at Isabella Center

A caregiver accompanying a resident on an outside stroll.

More Than a Nursing Home

A World of Care with the Warmth of a Small Neighborhood

MJHS Isabella Center offers a warm, secure environment for individuals who need long-term nursing care. Our center is also specially designed to address the needs of residents at all stages of dementia as well as those requiring ventilator support, ensuring every resident receives the personalized care they need.

Located in Northern Manhattan, our Isabella offers the experience of living in a community where residents and staff cultivate the deep bonds that come from knowing each other very well.

Everything we do reassures the caregivers that their loved ones are in skilled, secure, helping hands. For more information about any of our specialized care services, please contact our admissions office at 212-342-9245 or send us a message.







    Care Team at Isabella

    At MJHS Isabella Center we create personalized care plans to address the clinical, social and psychological needs of each resident. You can rely on our dedicated interdisciplinary care teams consisting of:

    • Primary care physician
    • Nurse
    • Respiratory Therapist
    • Social worker
    • Dietitian
    • Therapeutic recreational therapist
    A group of coworkers discussing while seated around a conference table.

    To ensure that all needs and expectations are met, our social work team maintains regular communication with residents, family members and staff, fostering an environment of support and understanding. Primary and specialty physicians are also available on-site.


    At a dining table, residents are having an enjoyable talk.

    Quality of Life

    Our activity programs are varied, offering various stimulating social, cultural and educational programs.

    The spiritual needs of residents are also very important. Pastoral Care at Isabella offers diverse services and programs to meet each resident’s denominational needs and preferences.

    See for yourself! Browse our Events Calendar

    Learn More About Long-term Care Services at Isabella Center

    Memory Care

    Elderly people applauding rhythmically while the musical therapist plays an instrument.

    Our dementia
    program ensures personalized care
    for residents with various forms of
    dementia, including individualized
    dining experiences and flexible
    living schedules.

    Respite Care

    Young Female Reads to an Elderly Female Patient

    Isabella has two home-like rooms, each with a private bath, dedicated to Respite Care for adults who need skilled nursing care for a short period of time.

    These adults can benefit from a Respite Care stay of up to 30 days in our warm, caring environment while the caregiver receives time to tend to his or her own life, family or business.

    Isabella’s staff will develop an individual care plan that includes medical, nursing and other services as needed.

    Both private pay and Medicaid participants are welcome.

    To qualify, the individual must:

    • be age 18 or older
    • be under a physician’s care for chronic or acute medical illness
    • be medically stable and free from infectious disease
    • provide a current medical history and results of a recent medical exam

    Ventilator Dependent Care

    Someone preparing a ventilator mask.

    There’s a good reason that our “vent unit” has been named “Breath of Life.” It’s not the respiratory support equipment, it’s the attitude of our staff and the gratitude of our residents and their families.

    We have been providing ventilator and respiratory care for over 25 years. Our objective for residents in Ventilator Dependent Care is to gradually wean them from mechanical ventilation to independent breathing. Working closely with Isabella’s rehabilitation services, residents are encouraged to do exercises that may help them use oxygen more efficiently. Our weaning rate is over 50%.

    We have 36 certified ventilator dependent beds, 40 respiratory transition beds and a specially trained interdisciplinary team of professionals to treat, monitor and assist each resident. Our staff consists of two board-certified pulmonologists. Our certified respiratory therapists provide comprehensive respiratory care.

    Highlights of our 24/7 Ventilator Dependent Care include:

    • Portable vents: allowing movement away from the bedside and participation in our newly renovated Center for Rehabilitation
    • Non-invasive testing: techniques for accurate measurement of blood oxygen levels without having to draw blood each time
    • Speech and swallowing expertise: to evaluate each resident’s specific conditions in order to retrain their abilities to speak and swallow and provide devices to restore these functions to maximum level
    • Rehabilitative services: to encourage exercises that help residents use oxygen more efficiently
    • Therapeutic recreation specialists: to provide music that adds sensory stimulation

    Palliative Care

    An elderly woman is seated with a caregiver; the caregiver touches the elderly woman and consults with her.

    Isabella’s Palliative Care program offers comfort and support to residents with serious or chronic illnesses. Our Palliative Care Team works with the resident and family to provide an individualized program to relieve pain and other debilitating symptoms. Our goal is to ensure that the resident experiences the highest possible quality of life — free of pain and discomfort.

    Isabella’s Palliative Care Team consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation and recreation therapists, and pastoral care professionals. Volunteers also play an important role in assisting with our Palliative Care efforts. Together, the Palliative Care Team works with each resident and his or her family to develop a plan of care that is perfectly suited to meet each resident’s needs.

    Palliative Care helps everyone. Family members, staff, and volunteers all benefit from the communication and support provided by the palliative care program.

    Participants in our Palliative Care program can expect the following:

    • Expert treatment of pain and other symptoms
    • Consistent and clear communication
    • Knowledge and guidance in making appropriate treatment choices
    • Emotional and spiritual support

    Testimonial

    “It has been such a terrific experience…dealing with staff at Isabella. I cannot stress enough how wonderful everyone was. It truly felt like being ‘with family.’ The nurses and CNAs took time to make sure that every pillow was placed the way Bill liked it and their patience was outstanding.”

    -Wife of Isabella Center Resident

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What insurance do you accept in the nursing home?

    We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay, and certain HMOs. Our Admissions Department can answer any questions you may have about insurance.

    If I don’t qualify for Medicaid, what then?

    Our admission team can work with you on financial options that may suit your situation.

    Does Isabella accept applicants requiring psychiatric care?

    Isabella does not have a dedicated unit for psychiatric care. Applications for individuals with a psychiatric history will be evaluated case-by-case.

    Are rooms private or shared?

    Most resident rooms are shared, accommodating two residents. Some private rooms may be available but are subject to a waiting list.

    Is there a different rate for a private room?

    Rates are the same whether the room is private or shared.

    Do your Social Workers speak Spanish?

    Yes, most of our Social Workers speak Spanish. Many of our other staff members speak Spanish as well as other languages.

    What are your visiting hours?

    There are usually no set visiting hours. However, due to the current pandemic, we strictly enforce CDC guidelines. Please see our latest COVID-19 updates for the latest information on visiting a loved one.

    Does Isabella provide renal dialysis?

    Isabella does not have an on-site renal dialysis capability. Residents who require renal dialysis should continue care with a nearby Renal Dialysis Center.

    Are personal belongings, such as photos, radios, etc., permitted for use by nursing home residents?

    Isabella’s resident-centered care encourages residents to personalize their living space to encourage comfort and support. Items must be safe and appropriate in size for the space available. Small TVs (19″) and other home entertainment equipment may be permitted but must be inspected by Isabella’s Maintenance Department to ensure safety. Our Resident Services Coordinator will assist with questions about appropriate personal items.

    What security measures does Isabella have for residents?

    Isabella values everyone’s freedom while also attending to each resident’s safety and security. Where appropriate, residents may wear a “Watchmate,” which provides immediate notice to staff if the wearer wanders into an unexpected or unprotected area. Staff accompanies the resident back to safety. There are no locked resident floors at Isabella. Security measures are in place at all times.

    Can I bring a pet to visit my loved one in the nursing home?

    Yes, you may bring a pet to visit a nursing home resident, provided that you have the prior approval of the Social Services staff.

    Learn More