CANTON − The House of Loreto has been recognized as the No. 2 nursing care facility in the state.
The 2022 Nursing Home Family Satisfaction Survey was conducted by the Ohio Department of Aging and Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center and examined all aspects of care, including staffing, housekeeping, administration, activities and food services.
Results rank the House of Loreto as the second best in Ohio. The facility has consistently landed in the top 25 in state surveys, said Sister Janet Harold, administrator.
The latest survey was conducted by mail between August 2021 and April 2022 using family members and residents. The surveys were anonymous.
The Avon Oaks Nursing Home in Avon was ranked No. 1 with a score of 91.22 out of 100. House of Loretto’s score was 91.11. Bethany in Canton was the only other Stark County nursing home to rank in the top 25. It was 16th.
The Ohio Department of Health licenses or certifies about 960 nursing care/assisted living facilities.
The House of Loreto, a private-pay facility at 2812 Harvard Ave. NW, is operated by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Divine Spirit.
Currently, there are 30 residents and 40 staff members.
“We need more care staff,” Harold said. “It’s a problem at a lot of nursing homes. If we could get more people, we could take care of more people.”
Alliance native Delores Scaia, 100, said she has lived at the House of Loreto for about eight years.
“They care about us and give us the best treatment,” she said. “I feel safe here and I’m not a worry to my children because I can’t live by myself.”
A member of St. Joseph parish in Alliance, Scaia said her brother and sister-in-law also received care at the House of Loreto.
Former Akron resident and retired restauranteur Helene Gallo said her daughter, who lives in Louisville, arranged for her to live at the House of Loreto, where she has been for about two years.
“She said he knew I’d be happy here,” said Gallo, who attended St. Francis DeSales parish. “They have the most beautiful chapel; I can go to Mass every day. I’ve always admired nuns and prayed that someday, they would be the ones to take care of me.”
A smiling Harold said Gallo keeps tabs on the kitchen and menus.
“She’s our resident kitchen (supervisor),” she said.
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Michelle Martino has worked as a nursing assistant at the House of Loreto for less than a year, but has been in the profession for 25 years.
“This is the best place I’ve ever worked,” she said. “The safest, cleanest, nicest placed I’ve ever worked. The nuns appreciate their staff.”
Harold said she appreciates Martino because the work is demanding.
“If you have someone who been in the field for 25 years, you’ve got a gem,” she said. “We’re blessed because the staffers are not afraid to jump in and do whatever needs to be done.”
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Loreto went 10 months before it experienced a case, due to the diligence of staff, Harold said.
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Harold said she hopes the survey serves to bring more attention to nursing care.
“We’re all striving to take care of the elderly,” she said.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
