Monday, September 08, 2014SHARON, Pa. -- Having grown up with the assisted living industry, it’s easy for Shane Nugent to see just how much things have changed since he was a boy.
What started as one building with one staff member to care for every patient regardless of that individual’s needs has grown to seven groups and locations throughout western Pennsylvania, all bearing the name of The Nugent Group.
“When I was a kid, the skilled-nursing facilities were all-encompassing. We handled everything from people who could live independently through [those who required] skilled services,” says Nugent, whose grandfather started Nugent’s Continued Care Retirement Community in 1958. “Now, with all the different options available, it has spread out.”
Each campus is designed to handle a different aspect of health care. Shelbourne Personal Care in Butler, Pa., serves people who can still live independently, but might need some degree of help occasionally. Clepper Manor in Sharon, Pa., offers skilled-nursing resources, rehabilitation and outpatient therapy.
“We look at our community and see what needs need to be met. We’re always looking at new opportunities. I’ve always gone by the old adage, ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ ” Nugent says.
Over the years, The Nugent Group has expanded to offer services outside of health care, including NuBridge Development Inc. and Health Link Services. The latter offers educational programs and support services, while NuBridge was created to allow people to live in their homes as long as possible.
“You come to a personal-care or skilled-care facility when you’re out of options at home,” Nugent begins. NuBridge Development goes into a home and assesses whether someone can fend for himself with a wheelchair and ramp, or by adapting the kitchen because of reduced access. “We have the option to go in, look at a setting and ask, ‘Can we make this accommodate this person and the needs they currently have?’ ” Nugent says.
The average age of patients in nursing homes has risen since Nugent’s grandfather entered the business. Nugent attributes the rise to the many options available to those seeking health care. When those in need can get the same care at home and go about their daily routines, there’s no need for them to be in a home, he adds.
The group is seeing younger patients avail themselves of Nugent’s other services, namely rehabilitation. Recently, he says, teenagers have gone through rehab after car crashes.
With each campus catering to specific needs, the group’s 300 employees can focus more on the needs of individual patients, Nugent says.
“We’re really having to talk to each individual to find out what their needs are. At most facilities, bingo is the fun thing to do, but not everybody likes bingo,” he says. Hence The Nugent Group has its activities staff talk to each resident to learn his hobbies and interests. “Obviously, some of those things either we can’t do or they can’t do at this point,” he remarks.
The Nugent Group has adapted to rapidly changing technology. In the past two years it has updated its website and joined social media in myriad forms. “We have Facebook pages, a Twitter page, even LinkedIn,” Nugent says. “We are entirely linked.”
Social media allow families to stay in closer touch with their loved ones at The Nugent Group’s locations, especially when they’re some distance away, says marketing director Sarah Boland.
“It seems to help with residents’ families. They can see what we do during the days. They can see the activities and watch the videos,” she says. “[Use of] the Internet and social media is growing. When I’m out talking to social workers or visiting hospitals, they’re driving the families to the websites, having them investigate prior to coming in. All of our numbers on the Internet are on the rise.”
Nugent says his company is looking into adding a system for “telehealth,” where patients can meet with doctors via webcam. Unless a worst-case scenario occurs, the doctor wouldn’t have to drive to meet patients.
“The patients will have the opportunity to talk to doctors and get all their questions answered without them having to come in,” Boland adds. “We’ve been around long enough to know the needs of the community. The Internet is just that final step.”
These changes have created a radically different situation for Nugent than that of his grandfather more than a half-century ago. But that’s not a bad thing, he says. If anything, it’s just continuing the way his family has always run the group that bears the Nugent name.
“My dad always said, ‘Either you grow or you stagnate. When you stagnate, you die.’ We want to [continue growing],” he says. “We have over 300 employees and we’d like to grow that. We have a great team all around. That allows me to look for those opportunities [to change].”
Pictured: Sarah Boland, The Nugent Group’s director of marketing, and vice president Shane Nugent pride themselves on helping the company keep up with what’s needed in the communities they serve.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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