Crest Haven Nursing Center Stepping up Marketing Efforts

CREST HAVEN – Proof that things in county government are changing can be seen at Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. It now has a marketing logo “Care From Our Family to Yours.”
Marketing the county-operated facility is something that would have been foreign even a decade ago, but with shrinking budgets, and the impetus to garner outside revenue, the facility is on par with privately-operated long-term nursing facilities.
Administrator Linda Lindsay and Lisa McNulla attended the Oct. 9 freeholder caucus to explain the slogan that will appear on all fliers and other documents having to do with the center.
According to McNulla, the slogan will also appear on T-shirts that employees will sport when attending marketing events.
“Wherever they go they will have their name, title and that slogan. We are branding ourselves,” said Freeholder Kristine Gabor, director of Health and Human Services.
McNulla told the board the admissions office is revamping, and that two office personnel “go to the hospital to capture short-term revenue, which we hope to see go up.”
As part of the facelift she cited assistance from Lowe’s Home Improvements, which has “revamped out courtyard. It looks great.”
She said the center is engaging in “shared services” to get its availability to the public. Tours will be offered, as will speakers on respite care be available to address groups and organizations.
Even short-term care is being marketed, so as to afford care-givers with needed time from the duties of looking after a loved one in need of nursing supervision.
Look for the center to be represented at this weekend’s Middle Township Harvest Festival on Oct. 20 in Court House on Mechanic Street.
Those who dress for trick or treat may also want to stop by Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a treat given by residents.
McNulla said the center is also working with the county Department on Aging and Disabilities to give an education seminar Oct. 23 on long-term care and Medicare Part D, to “give an understanding of how we work.”
She also noted that the short-term care unit is being revamped “with very little money…It’s amazing what some paint can do.”
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton told peers he had been at the center “a couple weeks ago, and they showed me the rooms that were painted. What a different that makes. It’s the same color as my office.”
Taking its marketing into the 21st Century, Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will also be putting its message and photographs on small “flash drives” that can be plugged directly into any computer and convey the message at very low cost.