Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, formerly Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home, is home to many Russian-speaking residents. Because they do not speak English, we have put together a program to help them enjoy their time at Courtland Gardens and to be able to be understood.
Our efforts include:
1. A Russian translator who is on-site and works Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
2. A nurse who speaks fluent Russian works from 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.
3. Communication books are placed in every room with a Russian resident.
4. Pocket communications were developed so they can be carried with staff members all the time. Those books and booklets have different ways to communicate...with words and pictures.
5. Activities calendars are translated into Russian.
6. Courtland Gardens has a subscription to a Russian television station.
7. Courtland Gardens tries to place Russian speaking residents in the same wing so they can have people to talk to there.
8. On-site, there are a Russian speaking therapeutic recreational therapist, a speech therapist, a nurse and a maintenance worker.
9. A language line available that Courtland Gardens residents can call to help them with anything that needs translation 24 hours a day seven days a week.