The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Special Care Unit at Hirsch Pavilion

Overview of the Special Care Unit Program

Our State-Certified Special Care Unit is designed for the treatment of people suffering from memory impairments due to Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. We admit residents who are in approximately the early 4th to late 5th stages of the disease, mid-stage dementia. Our supportive therapeutic environment is designed to maintain quality of life with emphasis on the resident's existing abilities. Our Social Activity model creates feelings of usefulness, success and pleasure thereby preserving dignity and self-esteem.

Therapeutic Environment

Our supportive setting includes outdoor patios, indoor lounge spaces and vignette areas. We also offer Snoezelen® Multi-sensory environments, which reduces anxiety, provides stimulation and encourages communication. Directional signage and contrasting colors are employed to help way-finding.

Quality of Life

Our Activity Program is designed to promote success. It includes a full complement of programs supervised by a therapist trained in Activity-Based Dementia Care. Some programs include music, art, exercise, horticulture, religious programs, trips, cooking, outdoor events, Snoezelen therapy, and parties. Programming is scheduled seven days per week, Monday through Saturday until 8 p.m., and Sundays until 4 p.m.

Support Services

Making the decision to place a loved one in a special care unit can be difficult. Our professional staff is trained to provide support groups, offer educational information and referrals to outside support services.

Individualized Plan of Care

Our trained clinical staff gathers as much information as they can in order to provide your family member with a 24-hour daily schedule as close to his or her prior home life as possible. We pay special attention to bathing and grooming rituals, menu likes and dislikes, preferred activities and those areas that provide your loved one with peace and tranquility.

Physician and Nursing Services

Our medical staff is professional trained in dementia care, and our program director is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. We employ Certified Nurse Aides specially training in dementia care to cue residents, so that they maintain their independence for as long as possible.

The Special Care Unit is endorsed by the Northern New Jersey Alzheimer's Chapter.

Special thanks to our benefactors without whom the Special Care Unit would not have been possible: The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, & The Women's League at Daughters of Israel

Daughters of Israel's dedicated and trained professionals provide the highest quality of care for our residents in a warm, nurturing, and safe environment. Daughters of Israel is a Home in the truest sense, caring for our residents' physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.

Daughters of Israel’s award-winning medical staff provides the highest quality of care and compassion to our residents. In addition, our team of dedicated nurses provide on-site, 24-hour care. For the convenience of our residents, we also have on-site dentists, audiologists and podiatrists, in addition to our team of physical, speech, and occupational therapists.

Daughters is a community within itself, with a coffee shop, gift shop, beauty salon/barber shop, bank, and a computer station equipped with Skype.

The Home's spacious layout offers many options for socializing, relaxing, or just a change of scenery. In addition to several dining rooms, Daughters boasts an auditorium, indoor atriums, outdoor patios, lounge areas, and multi-sensory gardens

Our residents benefit from a diverse and stimulating range of social, cultural and educational activities. Art, baking, horticulture, yoga, Wii bowling, music appreciation, and current events, are just some of the many activities that our residents enjoy on a daily basis.

There is also a full array of special programming throughout the year including talent shows, school visits, an intergenerational program in conjunction with West Orange High School, pet therapy, art exhibitions, musical and dance performances, garden parties and summer barbeques. The Home also hosts celebrations for New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and other holidays. For residents who are physically capable, we arrange outdoor excursions throughout the summer, and trips to concerts and local restaurants throughout the year.