Gov. Heineman Announces Nebraska's Four Veterans Homes Receive Perfect Scores

Governor Notes Outstanding Accomplishment as Second Consecutive Year

(Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Gov. Dave Heineman announced that all four of Nebraska’s veterans homes have received perfect scores on their most recent annual Health Care System Surveys from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The four homes, administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), include the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home in Bellevue, the Grand Island Veterans Home in Grand Island, the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff and the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk.
“Having all four homes receive perfect survey scores two consecutive years is an outstanding achievement,” said Gov. Heineman. “This accomplishment demonstrates the dedication of the employees of our Veterans Homes and the quality of care they provide to those who have served our country. We are proud of our service to our veterans.”
The facilities received top marks in several areas including life safety, resident care, environment, staff training and development, dietary-food service, banking and billing services for veterans, recreation/activities, medical staff credentialing, social work, and all areas related to quality assurance and care.
“Nebraska has a proud tradition of taking care of our veterans,” said John Hilgert, Director of the DHHS Division of Veterans Homes. “I recognize that serving those who served our country is important and the right thing to do. Achieving perfect survey scores demonstrates our commitment to providing quality care to veterans.”
Survey teams from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are typically an interdisciplinary team comprised of three registered nurses, a registered dietician and a life safety code expert from various parts of the country.
With a total capacity of 637 beds, the four veterans homes provide a variety of medical, nursing and rehabilitative services, tailored to the needs of their members. Services range from assisted living care for members able to essentially care for themselves, to skilled nursing care. The veterans’ health care services are administered by dedicated nurses, physicians, dieticians, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists and other professionally trained personnel.
The four veterans homes in Nebraska strive to serve the unique needs of each member by providing high quality services and holistic long-term care in a homelike veterans’ community.