Long-Term Care at Isabella Center
Isabella continues to do all that we can to help ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and staff in the face of this unprecedented crisis and also continues to follow state and federal guidelines for infection control.
Click here for the latest Isabella Center COVID-19 updates.

More Than a Nursing Home
A World of Care with the Warmth of a Small Neighborhood
If your loved one can longer live on their own for long periods of time and needs medical attention, our long-term care option at Isabella Center is a great choice. Isabella is more than a nursing home, we offer specialized medical care and various quality of life programs for our residents. As well as a safe, caring environment for residents at all stages of dementia and in need of ventilator support. And when the time comes, we can also provide palliative and hospice care. We understand the added responsibility of caring for a loved one, that is why we also offer respite care for caregivers who are unable to provide care for short periods of time.
Located in Northern Manhattan, our Isabella offers the experience of living in a community where residents and staff cultivate the deep bonds that come from knowing each other very well.
Everything we do reassures the caregivers that their loved ones are in skilled, secure, helping hands. For more information about any of our specialized care services, please contact our admissions office at 212-342-9245 or send us a message.
Care Team at Isabella
Our Care Team works closely with each resident and family to create and implement a customized plan of care that will meet clinical, social and psychological needs while taking into account individual preferences or limitations. Depending on each resident’s needs, our Rehabilitation Therapy Team will develop and supervise a customized plan to enable the resident to gain optimal functionality.
Our Social Services Team keeps a finger on the pulse of everyday life. Meeting with residents, family members and staff on a regular basis, they ensure that specific needs are being met and expectations are being satisfied.
Our Isabella Center offers the experience of living in a community where residents and staff cultivate the deep bonds that come from knowing each other very well. Families and loved ones also play an important role in shaping the life of our community.


Quality of Life
Our activity programs are quite varied, offering a wide range of stimulating social, cultural and educational programs.
The spiritual needs of residents are also very important. Pastoral Care at Isabella offers a wide diversity of services and programs to meet each resident’s denominational needs and preferences.
See for yourself! Browse our Events Calendar

Isabella offers a safe, caring environment for adults at all stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Our dementia program is nationally accredited by Comfort Matters and is an award-winning program that encourages personalized care for residents with dementia. This program includes offering individualized dining experiences, culturally sensitive programs, flexible bathing and living schedules, 24-hour visiting options, etc.
Our therapeutic programs make the most of each individual’s physical and cognitive abilities, imparting a sense of security and self-esteem. We encourage residents to join in a wide range of day and evening activities, from group cognitive games, to dancing, to one-on-one sensory stimulation and aromatherapy. We also hold supervised cooking classes with the participation of the residents’ personal caretakers as well as professional staff. Our personalized music therapy program provides an opportunity for residents to relive memories of enjoyable past experiences.

Isabella has two home-like rooms, each with a private bath, dedicated to Respite Care for adults who need skilled nursing care for a short period of time.
These adults can benefit from a Respite Care stay of up to 30 days in our warm, caring environment, while the caregiver receives time to tend to his or her own life, family or business.
Isabella’s staff will develop an individual care plan that includes medical, nursing and other services, as needed.
Both private pay and Medicaid participants are welcome.
To qualify, the individual must:
- be age 18 or older
- be under a physician’s care for chronic or acute medical illness
- be medically stable and free from infectious disease
- provide a current medical history and results of a recent medical exam

There’s a good reason that our “vent unit” has been named “Breath of Life.” It’s not the respiratory support equipment, it’s the attitude of our staff and the gratitude of our residents and their families.
We have been providing ventilator and respiratory care for over 25 years. Our objective for residents in Ventilator Dependent Care is to gradually wean them from mechanical ventilation to independent breathing. Working closely with Isabella’s rehabilitation services, residents are encouraged to do exercises that may help them use oxygen more efficiently. Our weaning rate is over 50%.
We have 36 certified ventilator dependent beds, 40 respiratory transition beds and a specially trained interdisciplinary team of professionals to treat, monitor and assist each resident. Our staff consists of two board-certified pulmonologists. Our certified respiratory therapists provide comprehensive respiratory care.
Highlights of our 24/7 Ventilator Dependent Care include:
- Portable vents: allowing movement away from the bedside and participation in our newly renovated Center for Rehabilitation
- Non-invasive testing: techniques for accurate measurement of blood oxygen levels without having to draw blood each time
- Speech and swallowing expertise: to evaluate each resident’s specific conditions in order to retrain their abilities to speak and swallow and provide devices to restore these functions to maximum level
- Rehabilitative services: to encourage exercises that help residents use oxygen more efficiently
- Therapeutic recreation specialists: to provide music that adds sensory stimulation

Isabella’s Palliative Care program offers comfort and support to residents who may be living with a serious or chronic illness. Our Palliative Care Team works with the resident and family to provide an individualized program that will offer relief from pain and other debilitating symptoms. Our goal is to ensure that the resident experiences the highest possible quality of life — free of pain and discomfort.
Isabella’s Palliative Care Team consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation and recreation therapists, and pastoral care professionals. Volunteers also play an important role in assisting with our Palliative Care efforts. Together, the Palliative Care Team works with each resident and his or her family to develop a plan of care that is perfectly suited to meet each resident’s needs.
Palliative Care helps everyone. Family members, staff and volunteers all benefit from the communications and support that the Palliative Care program provides.
Participants in our Palliative Care program can expect the following:
- Expert treatment of pain and other symptoms
- Consistent and clear communication
- Knowledge and guidance in making appropriate treatment choices
- Emotional and spiritual support
Testimonial
“It has been such a terrific experience…dealing with staff at Isabella. I cannot stress enough how wonderful everyone was. It truly felt like being ‘with family.’ The nurses and CNAs took time to make sure that every pillow was placed the way Bill liked it and their patience was outstanding.”
-Wife of Isabella Center Resident
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay, and certain HMOs. Our Admissions Department can answer any questions you may have about insurance.
Our admission team can work with you on financial options that may be appropriate to your situation.
Isabella does not have a dedicated unit for psychiatric care. Applications for individuals with a psychiatric history will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Most resident rooms are shared, accommodating two residents. Some private rooms may be available but are subject to a waiting list.
Rates are the same whether the room is private or shared.
Yes, most of our Social Workers speak Spanish. Many of our other staff members speak Spanish as well as other languages.
Usually, there are no set visiting hours. However, due to the current pandemic, we strictly enforce CDC guidelines. Please see our latest COVID-19 updates to get the latest information on visiting a loved one.
Isabella does not have an on-site renal dialysis capability. Residents who require renal dialysis should continue care with a nearby Renal Dialysis Center.
Isabella’s resident-centered care encourages residents to personalize their living space in ways that encourage comfort and support. Items must be safe and appropriate in size for the space available. Small TVs (19″) and other home entertainment equipment may be permitted but must be inspected by Isabella’s Maintenance Department to ensure safety. Our Resident Services Coordinator will provide assistance concerning questions on which personal items are appropriate.
Isabella values the freedom of everyone while also attending to the safety and security of each resident. Where appropriate, residents may wear a “Watchmate” which provides immediate notice to staff if the wearer wanders into an unexpected or unprotected area. Staff accompanies the resident back to safety. There are no locked resident floors at Isabella. Security measures are in place at all times.
Yes, you may bring a pet to visit a resident of the nursing home, provided that you have the prior approval of the Social Services staff.