The state's system for grading nursing homes is indeed flawed. My mother was recently taken ill and was hospitalized for a couple of days. We were told she could not stay in the hospital but had to go to a nursing home to be rehabilitated. The hospital got her a nursing home in Syracuse.

Because of the lack of care given to my mother she was sent back to the hospital again with numerous problems. After several days we were told she had to go back in the nursing home, but this time the family asked if she could go to the Auburn area to be closer for the family. They got us a bed at the Cayuga County Nursing home. This nursing home was rated exactly the same as the one in Syracuse. It has only been a week and I am here to tell you they don't even come close to rating the same. It's only been a week and we already know they are a five star rating. We are sure they must have some problems but we are confident they are doing whatever they can to correct them.

My mother has been treated with respect and caring and we can see it daily. Our family has been treated with kindness by all of the staff at the Cayuga County Nursing Home. As supervisor of the town of Conquest, I would recommend the Cayuga County Nursing Home to anyone in my community.

On behalf of the family of Shirley Knapp, we would like to thank the staff of the Cayuga County Nursing Home for doing what you can for our loved one.

Charles Knapp

Port Byron