Nonprofit Spotlight: Berkshire Place

For this month's Nonprofit Spotlight, iBerkshires sat down with Berkshire Place's Administrator Chanel Hayes, Administrative Services Director Julie Gavin, and Executive Director Edward Forfa to give us an insight into the organization.

 

Based in Pittsfield Berkshire place is a senior care facility.

 

What is your mission?

 

Berkshire Place is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate, and resident-centered care in an environment that promotes dignity, independence, quality of life, and meaningful connections. Our goal is to provide residents and their families with the highest quality of care while offering a unique, home-like boutique experience where each resident is known, valued, and cared for as an individual.

 

 

What problems are you solving in Berkshire County?

 

Berkshire Place helps meet the growing need for high-quality skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care services for older adults in Berkshire County. We provide individuals with clinical care, rehabilitation, support, and services needed to recover following an illness or hospitalization to safely transition back home when possible or receive compassionate long-term care when remaining at home is no longer the best option.

 

Berkshire Place also offers a certified dementia special care program providing a secure, supportive, and structured environment specifically designed for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

 

 

What inspired the creation of your organization?

 

Berkshire Place was originally created as Berkshire County Home for Aged Women in accordance with the wishes of Zenas Marshall Crane (1815-1887) to provide care and services to elderly women of Berkshire County who were widowed or never married with a supportive living community as they aged. Mr. Crane was the son of Crane & Company founder Zenas Crane.

 

How many people served annually:

 

Berkshire Place serves approximately 215 individuals each year across a continuum of care, including short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. It also offers respite care and accommodates hospice services, allowing residents and families to receive compassionate, individualized support based on their changing needs.

 

Key Impact Metrics:

 

Berkshire Place is proud of its strong record of quality, regulatory compliance, and resident-centered care. Recent accomplishments include:

 

• Strong CMS Five-Star Quality Rating performance across key areas, including health

inspections, staffing, and quality measures.

• A 5-Star rating for Short-Stay Quality Measures, reflecting our commitment to successful rehabilitation and recovery.

• Recognized as a Best Nursing Home in the Best of the Berkshires, an honor that reflects the support of our local community.

• Ongoing collaboration with local hospitals, healthcare providers, and families to improve continuity of care for Berkshire County residents.

 

A story of impact: A Return to Independence

 

Following spinal fusion surgery after years of debilitating back pain, a patient came to Berkshire Place needing significant assistance with walking, use of stairs, dressing, bathing, and other everyday activities. Pain and limited endurance made returning home independently feel like a distant goal.

 

In just 16 days of skilled rehabilitation, that changed.

 

Through determination and the support of Berkshire Place's rehab and nursing team, the patient progressed to independently getting in and out of bed, walking 150 feet, navigating 15 stairs, dressing, and using the bathroom. Our team also helped arrange the equipment needed for a safe and successful return home.

 

One of the most rewarding parts of this success story came just five days after discharge, when the patient walked back through the doors of Berkshire Place — this time for outpatient therapy.

 

Seeing a patient return home stronger and more independent is always a success. Seeing them choose to come back to Berkshire Place to continue their recovery makes it even more meaningful.

 

 

The impact of Berkshire Place can be seen every day in the residents who come to us following a hospitalization feeling uncertain about what comes next. Through the combined efforts of nursing, rehabilitation, social services, dietary, activities, and our entire interdisciplinary team, our short-term residents work toward regaining their strength, independence, and confidence.

 

One of the most rewarding moments for our team is seeing a resident who arrived needing significant assistance successfully complete rehabilitation and return home to their family and community with greater strength, confidence, and independence.

 

For residents who make Berkshire Place their longer-term home, our impact is equally meaningful. We strive to provide not only exceptional clinical care, but also companionship, meaningful activities, celebrations, friendships, and a true sense of community where each resident is known, valued, and feels at home.

 

Programs Provided:

 

Berkshire Place provides a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the changing needs of older adults and is a formalized a continuum of care provider (known as a CCRC) with the Residences at 89 South for independent living (the original building located at 89 South St. in Pittsfield) and At Home with Berkshire Place, which provides home care services.

 

Berkshire Place Programs include: