Care That Feels Like Family

At Brookside, we believe care should feel personal. We take time to learn each person’s story, what comforts them, and how they move through their day so they feel settled and known. Our staff notices the small changes that matter and responds with the right support, whether that means adjusting a routine or trying something new to help someone feel at ease. Our goal is for each person to feel safe, understood, and cared for in a way that feels like home. 

  • Our nursing team provides support for complex medical needs everyday. We have licensed nurses on site who manage care for feeding tubes, respiratory needs, positioning, and daily health routines. They watch for changes, communicate with families and doctors, and adjust care as needed. This level of nursing support helps families feel more at ease knowing someone is always paying attention and ready to step in when needed.

  • Our therapy team is a daily part of life here. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists spend time with each person to support movement, feeding, communication, and sensory needs. They check in regularly, work side by side with nursing and direct care staff, and stay involved in daily routines to make sure therapy goals are part of everyday life. Families know they can reach out any time and our therapists will be ready to help.

  • Nutrition at Brookside is overseen by our licensed dietitian, who creates personalized meal plans that reflect each resident’s medical needs, preferences, and abilities. The dietitian collaborates closely with our occupational therapist to determine safe and appropriate equipment for meals, using their recommendations to guide decisions around feeding methods and support. Whether a resident eats by mouth, follows a modified texture diet, or receives tube feedings, their care plan is designed with safety and comfort in mind. Resident Mealtime Assistants (RMA’s) provide one-on-one support during meals, helping residents follow their programs, use adaptive tools, and participate in their intake as independently as possible.

  • Residents at Brookside enjoy personalized day programming designed to encourage engagement, learning, and personal growth. Children receive educational services based on their individual needs, while adults participate in meaningful activities through structured programming. Our team focuses on active treatment, community connection, and building daily routines that support each person’s sense of purpose and joy.

  • Brookside provides on-site psychological services that prioritize each resident’s unique emotional and behavioral needs. Our psychologist and behavior support team develop personalized plans that promote consistency, structure, and communication across all settings. These supports are seamlessly woven into daily care and are a key part of helping our residents thrive in a safe, structured environment.

  • Transportation at Brookside is an important part of how we support residents beyond our walls. We coordinate all outside medical appointments and make sure families and providers stay informed. We also help with trips for home visits, community outings, and special events when possible. For families who need extra support with travel, we do our best to help them stay connected. Whether it is for care or quality time, we make sure every trip feels safe, supported, and organized from start to finish.

The First Month

Every new admission starts with a thirty-day period where our team focuses on learning about the person through evaluations and ongoing assessments. Nurses, therapists, and other staff spend this time gathering details about health needs, therapy needs, and daily care so we can understand how to best support each person.

Once the thirty days are complete, our case management team brings everything together into a single, individualized plan. We then meet with the guardian, caseworker, or anyone else involved in the individual’s care for the IP meeting, where we go over medical progress, therapy observations, and any questions about next steps. 

  • Nursing completes an initial assessment upon admission, including medical history, vitals, seizure protocol, medications, and equipment needs such as feeding tubes and respiratory support.

  • Occupational therapy evaluates activities of daily living (ADLs), sensory needs, postural stability, swallowing safety, and overall mealtime and oral care support.

  • Physical therapy assesses mobility, muscle tone, range of motion, joint stability, and positioning needs to ensure residents are safe and supported in all settings.

  • Speech therapy evaluates communication abilities, including expressive and receptive language, hearing response, non-verbal communication cues, and alternative methods of communication as needed.

  • Case managers complete a functional assessment to determine support for daily routines, including whether tasks can be completed independently, with prompts, or with full assistance.

  • All department input is then compiled into the Ohio Individualized Service Plan (ISP), coordinated by our case management team. 

  • Day programming and school enrollment cannot begin until the thirty-day window assessment is complete and all required documentation is received.