Penney Farms nursing home trying for record-setting gold seal

The Pavilion for Health Care at Penney Farms is going for a record-setting 10th Gold Seal from the Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long-term Care.

Of the 690 nursing homes in Florida, only 14 are recognized as Gold Seal facilities. Only two have achieved the recognition nine times: the Penney Farms facility and Village on the Green in Longwood.

Both nursing homes have applied for the tenth time, and the panel is making field visits to applicants during November.

Only nursing homes with a 5-star rating from the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration may apply for the designation. The AHCA rating is based on inspection reports that grade the facilities on nutrition and hydration, restraints and abuse, pressure ulcers, decline, dignity, quality of care, quality of life and facility administration.

The only other Northeast Florida nursing home designated as a Gold Seal facility is River Garden Hebrew Home For The Aged in Jacksonville.