NJHA Honors Southgate Special Care with Excellence in Patient Experience Award

WYCKOFF, NJ— Christian Health’s specialized behavior management community, Southgate Special Care, received the Excellence in Patient Experience Award at the New Jersey Hospital Association’s 2023 Best at the Beach, a seaside celebration of exceptional individuals and organizations in New Jersey’s health care community.

Southgate Special Care is a unique healing and therapeutic environment that provides compassionate care for older adults with behavioral disturbances associated with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, and other illnesses – one of only four similarly licensed communities in the state of New Jersey. Many residents come to Southgate after being in multiple other nursing care centers, with staff unable to treat their behavioral issues effectively. Residents often improve from Southgate team members’ understanding of their unique needs, expert training, and effective therapeutic approach.

Because demand for this type of care is steadily growing, Christian Health recently raised the funds to expand and enhance Southgate Special Care to provide better service for the aging community. The already specially designed residence underwent extensive renovations and added a 3,000 square-foot expansion to significantly improve patient experience and increase available space to extend care to additional older adults who need it. Every space in the community has been thoughtfully redesigned to foster a peaceful, serene setting to ease stress and help alleviate resident symptoms.

“Southgate Special Care is dedicated to providing and improving care for many future generations of vulnerable older adults with very specific needs, enhancing their quality of life and providing their loved ones with peace of mind,” said Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, Christian Health CEO. “We are honored to be recognized by NJHA for our commitment to offering an exceptional patient experience to all those in our care.”

“Health care attracts people with big hearts, cool heads, and a drive to help others,” said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. “Our Best at the Beach honorees represent some of the most moving stories and inspirational leaders in New Jersey’s health care community. They are among the hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who choose a career of caring, and we are grateful for their service.”

The Best at the Beach Awards will be presented at a ceremony on July 13, at Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch.

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About Christian Health
Founded in 1911, Christian Health is a nonprofit health care organization offering a continuum of high-quality senior living, short-term rehabilitation, and mental health services. For more than a century, Christian Health has grown and expanded to meet the changing needs of the community. Today it offers excellence in independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation (post-acute care), memory support, and mental health services in a manner consistent with the Christian principles upon which the organization was founded.

Media Contact:
Christian Health
Kelly Tanis
(201) 848-5921
Media@ChristianHealthNJ.org