Best Nursing Homes in Ithaca, NY

Overview of Kendal at Ithaca

Under the company name Kendal at Ithaca, Inc., Kendal at Ithaca is a skilled nursing home at 2230 North Triphammer Road in Ithaca. The facility operated by owner Gregory Sommers welcomes Medicare and private pay, offering families a direct route to coverage for short-term rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care. With 48 beds operating at 88 percent occupancy, the home has steady demand. The average stay length of 181 days reflects its mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those needing longer-term nursing care.

Clinically, total daily nursing care averages 5 hours and 32 minutes per resident, spread out across registered nurses, nurse aides, and LPNs and LVNs. That level of staffing bolsters residents recovering from surgery, acute illness, or hospitalization, as well as those with active chronic care needs. Rehabilitation services and enhanced assisted living are within the facility’s nursing care framework. The community is deeply integrated into Ithaca’s walkable neighborhoods. The location, with a Walk Score of 91, offers easy foot access to retail, restaurants, and services, making it easy for residents to get out and for family members to visit without parking or long drives worries. Plus, public transportation connections are readily available. The community is known for its unique lifestyle amenities, including a woodshop, dog park, TV studio, winemaking program, clay tennis courts, and aviaries, adding texture and engagement to daily life well beyond standard nursing care.

With a specific focus on electrical systems, egress illumination, and hazard containment, state inspections address building and life safety code compliance. Kendal at Ithaca works to address and correct any identified concerns. When touring, residents and families can inquire about how such safety areas are handled.

Overview of Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing

Beechtree Center is a distinguished 120-bed skilled nursing residence and rehabilitation center located in downtown Ithaca, New York. Providing 24-hour skilled nursing care, this community ensures a secure and engaging environment where each resident is treated with utmost dignity and respect. Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing takes pride in consistently delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction. The center addresses physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs, striving to create a home-like environment that cares for everyone.
Beechtree embraces the concept of Person-Centered Care, prioritizing the importance of quality of life alongside quality of care. Their devoted staff partners closely with residents and their families, aiming to achieve and maintain the highest quality of life for every individual. From waking up early to choosing the timing of showers or baths, Beechtree endeavors to accommodate individual preferences, allowing residents and staff to make decisions collaboratively. The center also offers restaurant-style dining, serving freshly prepared food, adding to the overall comfort and home-like atmosphere that they provide for seniors.

Overview of Cayuga Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Cayuga facility, provides exceptional personal care for its residents in a nurturing environment. Expect nothing but elegance and professionalism at the assisted living home. The vibrant community performs nothing less than extraordinary service offered by its professional and compassionate staff. Residents are guaranteed to enjoy their stay at the charming retirement home.

The Cayuga Nursing facility specializes in short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, and memory care services. Seniors are encouraged to maintain independence and individuality by staying active and engaged with social, recreational, and stimulating activities. Specialized nursing care services are stroke recovery, IV therapy, respiratory services, wound care, and diabetes care.

Overview of Oak Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center

Located on Hudson Street in Ithaca, New York, Oak Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center is a nursing home offering skilled nursing alongside hospice and palliative care. The home is operated by Oak Hill Operating Company, LLC, under owner Pearl Litkowski. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover both short-term rehabilitation stays and longer-term nursing care.

The 60-bed community is close to full, with occupancy around 90%. It’s in a highly walkable part of Ithaca, with a Walk Score of 91. It’s a “walker’s paradise,” which means daily errands rarely require a car.

Clinically, the home focuses on rehabilitation and recovery. Cardiac rehabilitation and orthopedic rehabilitation are its programs alongside general short-term rehab and speech therapy. It also supports residents with more complex medical needs through pulmonary care, cardiac care, stroke recovery, and hospice services. Total nursing care averages about 5 hours and 16 minutes per resident daily. A registered nurse contributes roughly 35 minutes of that time, reflecting a fairly high level of hands-on nursing support.

Residents live in semi-private suites. They have access to a spacious courtyard and patio for time outdoors. Amenities on-site include fine dining options, on-site laundry and housekeeping, and Wi-Fi and cable TV throughout the building.

State inspections have most often centered on routine facility upkeep. These include refuse disposal, food sanitation, and infection control, and there were periodic findings tied to quality-of-care documentation. Most issues identified have been addressed within a couple of months, but a smaller number took longer to resolve. Families touring Oak Hill may want to ask staff how these areas are monitored daily.