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CruiseNights2023

CRUISE NIGHTS RETURN TO ELDERWOOD: REV UP YOUR ENGINES FOR UNFORGETTABLE EVENINGS

06/09/2023

Elderwood is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of Cruise Nights at our communities! Get ready to fuel your passion for classic cars and enjoy an unforgettable experience with fellow enthusiasts.


Join us for a series of exhilarating Cruise Nights, where automotive enthusiasts of all ages can gather and celebrate their shared love for automobiles. The highlight of these nights will be the captivating car show, featuring an impressive lineup of classic, vintage, and custom vehicles. But that's not all! As you indulge in the automotive splendor, you can also treat yourself to a variety of refreshments available on-site.


We are also excited to announce that many of our Cruise Nights will feature live music, adding an extra layer of entertainment to your Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00pm. Be sure to check each event's Facebook page for specific details on the live music lineup, ensuring you don't miss out!To stay updated on the upcoming Cruise Nights and access detailed information about each event, we encourage you to visit each community's Facebook page linked below. There, you'll find event schedules, special announcements, and highlights of each event. Mark your calendars and be sure to like our pages to stay in the know!

Michael Tibe

ELDERWOOD’S MICHAEL TISBE NAMED PRESIDENT OF APTA NEW YORK

06/03/2022

In May of 2022, Elderwood at Liverpool’s Director of Rehab Services Michael Tisbe, PT, DPT, CSCS, WCC, was elected president of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) New York. He will be serving the Chapter President of the APTA for two years.


“Michael's being elected president of the APTA is exciting and we are extremely proud of him,” said Elderwood at Liverpool Administrator Cherlyn Deleonabreu. "Michael is highly skilled and accomplished in the field of physical therapy, and you can see that in the dedication he gives to providing the best services to our residents."


“I feel honored and humbled to be elected to serve with a community of professionals that I respect and admire for a profession I am passionate about,” said Tisbe.


Tisbe graduated from Manhattanville College in 1991, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology Cum Laude and with Departmental Honors. He is a 1993 graduate of SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy. In 2009 he successfully completed the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of St Augustine.


Michael has been a member of APTA New York since 1995 and was elected to the Board of Directors for the Central District in 2012. He also served as a member of the membership committee from 2015 to 2018 and the strategic planning task force in 2012. Michael chaired the Strategic Planning task force in 2013 and 2018, the payments trends task force in 2014, and chaired the programming committee from 2016 to 2018. In 2014 he won the outstanding service to the district award. In 2018 he was elected Vice President and served two consecutive two-year terms. Nationally he was elected to represent New York as a delegate to the house of Delegates in 2018, 2020, and 2021.


Michael transitioned from managing outpatient physical therapy clinics and directing specialty programs in homecare to pursue his belief in providing exceptional therapy services to the aging and elderly, joining the Elderwood team in 2008 as the Director of Physical Therapy. He is currently the Director of Rehabilitation at Elderwood at Liverpool, where he has labored since 2008 to serve the community in which he lives. He has been serving on the OTA and PTA program advisory boards since 2015.


He has been an adjunct professor at Bryant and Stratton PTA program since 2019, where he teaches professional issues, management, and wound care. He has been a certified strength and conditioning specialist since 2004, a Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor from 2016 to 2018 and achieved Wound Care Certified specialist credentials by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy in 2021.

iCARE portal

CONGRATULATIONS 2021 ICARE AWARDS OF DISTINCTION WINNERS!

03/16/2022

The iCARE Awards of Distinction were created to recognize staff who continuously embody our core values and help bring our mission – people caring for people – to life each day. An acronym for our corporate values of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, the iCARE philosophy guides our actions as we work together to provide the best possible care and services.


Earlier this year, staff and managers from across our organization were invited to nominate employees who demonstrated at least one of the iCARE values. The response was astounding, with over 300 nominations received, citing individuals for their selflessness, dedication, teamwork, positivity and compassion, leadership and more.


Please join us in congratulating our 2021 iCARE Awards of Distinction honorees. Click here to learn more about these stellar individuals!

INTEGRITY – Jennifer Tipper, CNA / Unit Clerk, Elderwood at Lockport


COLLABORATION – Dianne Hanna, Housekeeping Aide, Elderwood Assisted Living at Hamburg


ACCOUNTABILITY – Dana Wodowski, Director of Social Services, Elderwood at Lancaster


RESPECT – Danielle Nelson, Human Resources Manager, Pediatric Specialty Care, Lancaster


EXCELLENCE – Karol "Robin" Sunderland, Certified Nursing Assistant, Elderwood at Amherst

BestNursingHomes

ELDERWOOD SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL MEDIA

11/18/2021

We are excited to announce that several Elderwood facilities have been recognized for excellence by national publications. Six Elderwood communities were named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report “Best Nursing Homes” list for excellence in Long Term Care and Short-term Rehabilitation. Best Nursing Homes ratings are based on U.S. News’s in-depth analysis of publicly available data, including information that is not factored into CMS’s star ratings. Unlike the star ratings, the U.S. News ratings recognize that patients undergoing relatively short-term rehabilitation have very different needs from those who require longer-term care.



The six facilities recognized by U.S. News include:

• Elderwood at Amherst recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation

• Elderwood at Grand Island recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

• Elderwood at Lancaster recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

• Elderwood at Hamburg recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

• Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

• Elderwood of Wheatfield recognized for Short-Term Rehabilitation



Additionally, Elderwood at Cheektowaga and Elderwood at Williamsville have been named among the "Best Nursing Homes” by Newsweek. This year's Newsweek ranking identifies the nation's top nursing homes based on three critical criteria: overall performance data, peer recommendations and each facility's handling of COVID-19, relative to in-state competition. This year, Newsweek’s ranking lists the 450 top facilities across 25 states. In New York, Elderwood at Williamsville ranked 25th and Elderwood at Cheektowaga ranked 45th out of the 55 Skilled Nursing Facilities that made the list.



“We are thrilled to have the outstanding efforts of our dedicated staff recognized by these well-respected publications and to have our commitment to excellence highlighted,” said Dr. Jeffrey Rubin, co-CEO for Elderwood.

Lezaya

LEZAYA SHANNON, ACTIVITIES LEADER, EARNS CARING HEARTS AWARD

11/16/2021

We’re excited to share that Lezaya Shannon, an Activities Leader at Elderwood at Cheektowaga, has been honored by NYSHFA (New York State Health Facilities Association) as a recipient of the Caring Hearts Award. Lezaya was nominated and selected from candidates from facilities across Buffalo & WNY. Lezaya has been with Elderwood for three years and when she’s not leading activity programs, is known for enthusiastically greeting families, visitors, and volunteers, assisting wherever she’s needed, and for her kindness and compassion. It’s obvious Lezaya genuinely loves what she does, and we’re lucky to have her as part of the Elderwood family.

Corio Elderwood Discharge

ELDERWOOD’S VENT UNIT PLAYS KEY ROLE IN AMAZING COVID-19 RECOVERY

10/08/2021

Seven months after it began, a Niagara County Woman’s journey in the shadows of COVID-19 will come to a happy conclusion when she is discharged from the specialized ventilator care unit at Elderwood at Williamsville on Friday, October 8.


Mary Corio’s journey began in March 2021 when she was admitted to Mount St. Mary’s Hospital with a COVID-19 infection. At the time of her admission, the 64-year-old was suffering from respiratory failure and complications with asthma. Following her initial treatment at Mount St. Mary’s in Lewiston, she was transferred to the Catholic Health System’s dedicated COVID facility at Sisters Hospital-St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga. 


Corio’s condition remained grave, she was paralyzed, ventilator dependent and was in a prone position for more than six weeks. As Catholic Health wound-down its COVID-only operations at Sisters Hospital-St. Joseph Campus, she was again transferred, still on a ventilator, this time to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. 


Her COVID journey took her even further away from home when she was again transferred to Select Specialty Hospital’s ventilator unit in Erie, PA in hopes of improving her pulmonary function and weaning off the ventilator. She remained there for nearly a month. Select’s clinicians projected that she could remain on the ventilator for as long as a year. The facility was distant, nearly two hours from home, making family visits difficult. 


A chance meeting with a pulmonary specialist from Elderwood at Williamsville led to her transfer to Elderwood’s subacute ventilator unit, the only subacute weaning ventilator unit in Western New York. Corio was admitted to Elderwood at Williamsville on May 25 with a very compromised respiratory condition. At the time she arrived, she couldn't move her extremities well and was on a feeding tube. She also had dropped foot due to the length of time she remained paralyzed.


“Supported by family and friends, as well as a talented team of physicians, therapists, and clinical professional, Mary’s recovery is a tribute to her fighting spirit, Her ability to receive care much closer to home was no doubt a factor in her remarkable recovery; we hope that more providers in the region are aware of this important and unique resource,” said Anne Taggart, RRT, director of respiratory therapy for Elderwood at Williamsville.


Elderwood’s medical staff and clinical team started weaning protocol at the end of June with CPAP/PS trials. Eventually Corio started trach collar trials using Elderwood’s Hi-Flow set-up. She was totally weaned off the vent on August 16 and remained on a hi-flow trach collar on room air for two more weeks. She was completely free from artificial breathing assistance on August 31. 


As Corio nears the end of her journey home, she will be taking the final steps herself. As the result extensive therapy at Elderwood at Williamsville, she is now walking, the feeding tube has been removed, and she is able to manage her activities of daily living independently. She will take those steps toward her home on her own. 

Elderwood Honored at Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Celebration

ELDERWOOD HONORED AT GREATER VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATION

09/24/2021

Congratulations to the staff of Elderwood at Waverly and Elderwood Assisted Living at Waverly on their recent recognition as “Business of The Year” by the Waverly Business Association. The Elderwood campus employs more than 300 employees and provides a safe, secure, and vibrant living experience for more than 215 residents. The award reflects the hard work and resiliency of the Elderwood staff and its essential role in the Twin-Tiers community.


Receiving the award from the Waverly Business Association are Nicole Uhl, assistant administrator, and Maria Landy, administrator for Elderwood at Waverly

SUNY Brockport Student 2

ELDERWOOD OF LAKESIDE AT BROCKPORT AWARDS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP TO SUNY BROCKPORT STUDENT

06/22/2021

Elderwood of Lakeside at Brockport has awarded a $1,000 nursing scholarship to SUNY Brockport Junior Katherine Zutes.


“We are excited to offer this scholarship to Katherine,” said Elderwood of Lakeside at Brockport Administrator Kimberly Klinetob. “She demonstrates academic excellence, a strong sense of service to her community, and we’re excited to see the impact she’ll make in the nursing field.”


Elderwood’s nursing scholarship provides financial support to nursing program students who have shown dedication and academic achievement throughout their time as students at SUNY Brockport. Each annual scholarship recipient can renew the scholarship once if they remain eligible for progression into the Nursing program.


“It means so much for my education. Any scholarship at any value always helps lighten the financial burden,” said Zutes. “Elderwood’s scholarship investment is going to very good use. It will help me buy books so I can be successful with my classes in the upcoming year, graduate, and become a great nurse. This scholarship is truly going to help me be successful in my endeavors at SUNY Brockport. I am so very grateful for the opportunity.”


This summer, she has an internship where she will be a patient care tech. Zutes will be paired with a nurse and will have the opportunity to shadow for the summer.

Scallop Shell at Wakefield Receives Award

ELDERWOOD OF SCALLOP SHELL AT WAKEFIELD RECEIVES TOP SENIOR LIVING AWARD

06/02/2021

Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield has been recognized as a Top Senior Living Community by Rhode Island Monthly. The annual award winners were selected based on in-depth research conducted by a national data company, including factors such as state and federal government sources, Medicare ratings and length of operation under the same ownership.


“We are honored to accept this award as a top senior living community in Rhode Island,” states Marissa Murphy, administrator for Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield. “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality of care, and creating a warm and vibrant experience for our residents.”


Located in the Wakefield-Peace Dale area just west of Narragansett, Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield is an 80-bed community offering skilled nursing, long-term care and subacute rehabilitation services. The facility has recently been ranked a Best Nursing Home by the U.S. News & World report for both Long-Term Care and Subacute Rehabilitation categories.

Becky Littler, RN, BSN, CNO Earns Excellence in Healthcare Award

BECKY LITTLER, RN, BSN, CNO EARNS EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE AWARD

05/20/2021

We are excited to share that Rebecca Littler, Elderwood’s Chief Nursing Officer, has been honored by Business First as a recipient of one of the publication’s third annual Excellence in Health Care awards. The awards honor high-achieving and hard-working professionals in the Western New York health care industry.


A panel of industry experts chose 18 winners from among 116 nominations. The winners include physicians, nurses, administrators, board members, advocates and researchers – all people whose work has improved the way the health system works in Western New York hospitals, senior care facilities, homecare agencies, labs, clinics, nonprofits and other health facilities.


“Becky has always been a tremendous asset to Elderwood, and her leadership, dedication, and clinical expertise have been invaluable throughout the pandemic. Becky’s practical, patient-centered approach helped Elderwood’s administrators and clinical staffs make quick decisions rooted in both clinical knowledge and best-available data in a constantly evolving situation. Her calm, compassionate demeanor embodies the absolute best the nursing profession strives to be,” said Julia McMillen, president.


“It is truly an honor to recognize this group who has done so much for our community over the last 12 months,” said John Tebeau, publisher of Buffalo Business First. “This group of honorees has gone above and beyond the call of duty, under extremely challenging pandemic conditions. They have put community and work ahead of personal needs and safety and we are forever grateful.”


The awards will be presented in a virtual ceremony on June 10.

Nurses Week Advice Cards

ELDERWOOD NURSES SHARE ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR NURSING STUDENTS

05/12/2021

Nurses from across the Elderwood senior care network provided special Nurses’ Week messages for more than 1,400 nursing students currently enrolled in local nursing schools. The messages were collected from veteran nurses in various roles throughout Elderwood’s Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities and printed in cards that were delivered to students in time for the kick-off of National Nurses’ Week on May 6, 2021.

The week celebrates the incredible work that nurses do across the entire healthcare system. In the wake of the worst healthcare crisis in our lifetime, Elderwood wants to highlight, not only the enormous contributions and sacrifices made by nurses throughout the pandemic, but also the profound inspiration they provide to those who are just starting out on their career.

“We are aware, perhaps now more than ever, that our efforts, our actions, and our example are all key factors in helping young women and men discover their calling to the nursing profession,” said Rebecca Littler, RN, BSN, Chief Nursing Officer for Elderwood.

Faculty at the nursing schools, which included both Trocaire College and D’Youville College facilitated the delivery of the cards to the students and were grateful for the words of encouragement from current nursing professionals. “I think this is an awesome idea and a great way to encourage our students,” said Megan Cheyne RN, MSN, adjunct professor at D'Youville College.

Printed cards were delivered to local Nursing Schools with in-person instruction, while electronic versions were provided to schools with online classes, or those who were in the midst of final examinations. Elderwood employs more than 2,000 nurses across 33 senior care communities in New York, Vermont, and Rhode Island.


Tai Chi News Article

TAI CHI IS PERFECT FOR SENIORS WITH ARTHRITIS WHO NEED RELIEF

04/02/2021

Tai Chi is becoming a popular fitness activity for seniors. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that features gentle and flowing movements. It can help seniors strengthen muscles and improve physical stamina. Seniors will receive much-needed relief from their arthritic pain by strengthening the muscles that surround the joints.


Compared to other fitness exercises, Tai Chi offers seniors a better opportunity to increase their mobility and reduce arthritic pain as they age instead of walking, which can be jarring to the knees and hips.


Elderwood, a leading provider of senior care across the North East, began implementing a Tai Chi program in March for their assisted living facilities, which will start in the summer of 2021 and will be offered a few times a week.


The program will follow Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control support Dr. Lam’s program for arthritis pain relief. The program is broken down at a slow pace that allows seniors to learn and focus on the core movements of Tai Chi. As the program progresses, core movements will be introduced with the implementation of movement extensions of the arms and legs. Helping seniors build a strong foundation assists in reducing falls and strengthens the quality of life.


“There is a definite interest in Tai Chi and given the current pandemic situation that we’re in; we want to still be able to provide the residents an opportunity to practice Tai Chi in a seated format. Besides the physical benefits of Tai Chi, there are also benefits to mental health,” said Elderwood Wellness Coordinator Steven Johnson.


There are many positive benefits to exercise besides the physical ones. A decrease in anxiety and depression are the biggest benefits to mental health that someone can experience from exercise. Improved sleep quality is another one.


Tai Chi emphasizes these benefits over traditional forms of exercise by connecting the breath to movement. This enables people to get the relaxing benefits of deep breathing meditation techniques, which have been shown to help treat depression and anxiety.


It’s important before starting an exercise routine to consult with your physician. A physician’s assessment will help determine what fitness routine is right for you.


If Tai Chi is something you’re not interested in, there are other ways to stay fit as a senior.


Website launch

ELDERWOOD LAUNCHES NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE

03/10/2021

Elderwood has launched a new website to enhance the user experience and provide additional resources for current and prospective residents and their families. The new website has been completely redesigned to align with the expectations of today’s online users and Elderwood’s updated branding.


“Elderwood is here to help people navigate through life’s transitions, whether planned or unexpected,” states Chuck Hayes, vice president of marketing and communications. “As more people go online first for answers, our website must serve as a guide for families and residents.”


The website features an all new location finder, which integrates with Google maps and includes several filters to help people identify nearby locations that offer the services and levels of care they need.


“The website was designed to reach people at all phases of their journey, from those just starting to explore senior care options, to those who have an urgent need for skilled nursing or subacute rehabilitation,” said Hayes. “The new website focuses on location first to help users find their preferred community faster.”


Community pages now feature additional information to bring each location’s offerings to life digitally. On each community page, users can now find key staff photos, contact information, activities calendars, as well as beautiful exterior and interior photos.


New resources have been added to help assist people through the process, including admissions applications, FAQs, a budgeting worksheet and links to view informational articles on Elderwood’s Living Well blog.


Elderwood.com was designed and developed in partnership with Buffalo-based digital agency Clevermethod. The new website is part of several marketing and communications initiatives to enhance Elderwood’s brand and support the organization’s business objectives.


Right Moves News

RIGHT MOVES® PROGRAM EARNS NETWORK IN AGING ‘PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE’ AWARD

12/09/2020

Elderwood’s Right Moves® wellness program has received the 2020 Program of Excellence Award from Network in Aging of Western New York. Elderwood Wellness Coordinator Steven Johnson, who manages the Right Moves program, accepted the award in a pre-taped segment aired during the Network’s virtually-broadcast annual conference. The Program of Excellence Award is presented yearly for “outstanding and innovative contributions to the geriatric citizenry of Western New York.”


Right Moves was created to encourage Elderwood’s assisted living residents to take a more active approach to their health, with a goal toward preventing falls, injuries and hospitalizations. Led by staff who are trained and certified through the American Council on Exercise, Right Moves focuses on maintaining physical activity, function and mobility through exercise, therapy, home safety and other initiatives.


Across the 13 Elderwood assisted living communities, about 30 percent of residents participate in Right Moves. Many of those who regularly attend the program experience improvements in strength, balance and overall health. In some communities, falls among residents have significantly decreased. By avoiding falls and injuries and concentrating on their health, seniors are better able to successfully age in place and maintain their independence.


“We thank Network in Aging for recognizing Mr. Johnson’s commitment to improving resident health and the efforts of the wellness directors in our assisted living communities for keeping residents motivated and moving,” said Dennis Ng, Elderwood Director of Rehabilitation Services.


With photo EAS Steve Johnson NIA Program of Excellence NOV2020 – Steven Johnson, Elderwood Wellness Coordinator, accepts the Network in Aging 2020 Program of Excellence Award from Suzanne Desfosses-Gilliam. Photo by Kevin Krisnosky, Streamline Digital Media.



Best Nursing Home News

SIX ELDERWOOD FACILITIES RECOGNIZED AMONG U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORTS’ BEST NURSING HOMES

11/18/2020

Six Elderwood communities – four in Western New York; one in Burlington, Vermont, and one in Wakefield, Rhode Island -- have been recognized as a “Best Nursing Home” for 2020-21 by U.S. News and World Report. The communities achieved the publication’s highest possible rating, “High Performing,” for long-term care and/or short-term rehabilitation.

U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to homes that satisfy their assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures. It analyzes publicly available data to evaluate factors that greatly impact patient and resident care, safety and outcomes. Only 21 percent of nursing homes nationwide have been recognized by U.S. News this year as “High Performing.”

Elderwood facilities and their category for recognition are:

• Elderwood at Lancaster, Lancaster, NY – Long-Term Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation

• Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield, Peace Dale, RI - Long-Term Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation

• Elderwood at Amherst, Amherst, NY – Short-Term Rehabilitation

• Elderwood at Hamburg, Hamburg, NY – Long-Term Care

• Elderwood at Grand Island, Grand Island, NY – Long-Term Care

• Elderwood at Burlington, Burlington, VT – Short-Term Rehabilitation

“I am proud that these Elderwood communities have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report. This achievement is a testament to the consistency of high-quality skilled nursing care and subacute rehabilitation services delivered by our staff,” said co-CEO Jeffrey Rubin, DMD. “The U.S. News and World Report rating reinforces the efforts our team puts forth every day to provide exceptional services and patient care.”

iCARE Awards

CONGRATULATIONS ICARE AWARDS OF DISTINCTION WINNERS!

11/12/2020

The iCARE Awards of Distinction were created to recognize staff who continuously embody our core values and help bring our mission – people caring for people – to life each day. An acronym for our corporate values of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, the iCARE philosophy guides our actions as we work together to provide the best possible care and services. 


Earlier this year, staff and managers from across our organization were invited to nominate employees who demonstrated at least one of the iCARE values. The response was astounding, with over 400 nominations received, citing individuals for their selflessness, dedication, teamwork, positivity and compassion, leadership and more.  


Please join us in congratulating our 2020 iCARE Awards of Distinction honorees. Click here to learn more about these stellar individuals! 


INTEGRITY – Michael Hubschmitt, Regional Nurse Consultant, Elderwood Administrative Services  

COLLABORATION – Fatu Borbor, Housekeeping Aide, Elderwood at Amherst  

ACCOUNTABILITY – Christine Harte, RN, Director of Nursing, Pediatric Specialty Care  

RESPECT – Maria Stran-Martin, PCHA, Administrator, Elderwood Senior Living at Lancaster, PA 

EXCELLENCE – Tracy Peters, LPN Team Leader, Elderwood at Lancaster  

Amherst COVID Unit News

FIRST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS, ELDERWOOD’S DEDICATED COVID UNIT SERVES WNY

06/24/2020

When COVID-19 first hit the United States there was concern about how the pandemic would impact Western New York’s healthcare system. As our region braced to deal with an overwhelmed hospital system, Elderwood had the foresight to be a part of the solution by opening the first dedicated COVID-19 post-acute unit in the region.

Elderwood converted a 22-bed subacute unit at its Amherst facility into a specialized isolated care center for COVID-19 patients. The unit served as a relief valve for the Western New York healthcare system, allowing hospitals to open up beds for acute care patients. Staff at the facility are committed to helping COVID-19 patients fully recover following hospitalization for the disease.

“Every single day our staff inspire me with their dedication to our patients and the high quality care they deliver,” said Administrator Angela Hauser. “I thank them for their commitment to the job in a time of need. They did not walk away during difficult times, instead they faced the challenges, looking for a way to help. I thank them for taking on more in their role and not walking away from the pandemic. I can see how hard they all are working. Words can’t really capture my gratitude, but I appreciate all that they are doing for the patients, the facility and the company as a whole.”

The unit creates more capacity for coronavirus patients and focuses on providing post-acute care for patients who have been discharged from area hospitals that still require monitoring, but no longer need to be in an acute care setting.  

Paul D. is among the dozens of patients who completed their recovery at Elderwood at Amherst’s COVID-19 unit. “Once I got to Elderwood I couldn’t have asked for a better team,” said Paul D., who was discharged to the unit from a local hospital. “Everyone was so great to me. It was a tremendous lift for my mind and body. They worked so well with me and made me feel much more at ease. I felt confident in the care I was getting.”

Having Coronavirus was a scary experience for Paul. He was left confused and disorientated. “I thought it was the end,” he said. Paul has since made a full recovery and according to Elderwood Medical Director Dr. Paul Shields, DO, he’s doing better than ever. Paul is grateful for the care he received at our dedicated COVID-19 unit. “I love them all. They’re tremendous, every one of them,” he said.

Another patient, William F., was in critical condition when he was hospitalized and had been intubated multiple times. While he was fighting Coronavirus, he experienced intense nightmares. “The nightmares felt like you were actually there. You believed you were there,” he said. William is thankful for the wonderful staff that helped him get better. “When I talk to everyone about what happened to me, I bring up Elderwood,” said William. “They’re a very big part of helping me get better.”

There’s a saying that goes, ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that matters.’ That saying rings especially true in healthcare. Elderwood at Amherst has enjoyed an excellent reputation for subacute care – helping patients discharged from the hospital complete their recovery and get home quickly. That expertise, combined with best practice infection control protocols and a collaborative relationship with the region’s top hospital system, Kaleida Health, is what has made this initiative so successful for Western New York.

Elderwood worked with the clinical professionals at Kaleida Health and the Doctors of General Physician, P.C. to plan and develop the COVID-19-unit initiative. This powerful collaboration allowed Elderwood to gain regulatory approval and get the unit up and running quickly. “Knowing what needs to be done and then stepping forward to do it is what sets our team apart,” said Hauser.

General Physician

ELDERWOOD PARTNERS WITH GENERAL PHYSICIAN, P.C. FOR PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP SERVICES

02/21/2020

Elderwood has partnered with General Physician, P.C. to provide medical staff leadership at six Skilled Nursing Facilities in Western New York. Paul Shields, DO will serve as Medical Director and Harnath Clerk, MD, will serve as Associate Medical Director for: Elderwood at Lockport; Elderwood at Wheatfield; Elderwood at Williamsville; Elderwood at Amherst; Elderwood at Cheektowaga; and Elderwood at Hamburg.


“We are very excited to welcome these respected and highly skilled physicians to our medical staff,” said Jeffrey Rubin, DMD, Co-CEO for Elderwood. “Our alignment with General Physician, P.C. and their network of providers and acute care facilities will help to enhance the high-quality care we provide for our residents.”


A multi-specialty medical practice, General Physician, P.C. was established in 2010 and has grown to be one of the largest and most respected physician groups in Western New York. Dr. Shields is a graduate of Gannon University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is the Vice President for Post Acute Care Clinical Services for General Physician, P.C. and the Medical Director for the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Western New York. He is Board Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Shields has also served as Medical Director for Fairview Manor Skilled Nursing Facility and Manchester Commons in Fairview, PA and Elmwood Gardens, in Erie, PA.


Dr. Clerk graduated from the M. P. Shah Medical College of India and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the State University of New York. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in Bronx, NY. Dr Clerk is licensed as a Physician by the University of the State of New York, Education Department, Office of the Professionals and qualified to practice medicine and surgery.

McKnight

ELDERWOOD EARNS BRONZE FROM MCKNIGHT

11/13/2019

Elderwood has earned the 2019 Senior Living Bronze Award in McKnight’s Technology Awards for the development of the Activity Utility data tracking system in the category of Quality.


 “Tracking data is extremely important to providing quality care for our residents with the various activities and programs they are involved in,” said Clay Bozard, chief information officer. “We are proud of our technology team for their innovation and our staff, who implement the use of this technology daily to help create better outcomes for the entire population of our residents.”


 Elderwood was recognized for its innovative use of technology to create an electronic record keeping system that tracks a resident’s involvement in activity programs, attendance and participation. “There was a need for an automated tool that could efficiently track residents’ improvements or declines,” said Director of Memory Care and Programming Elizabeth Laczi. “There wasn’t a tool like this available, so we created Activity Utility to create a more person-center care-plan.”


 All of this is done on an iPad to promote efficiency in documentation in activity programs and assessments. Elderwood began implementing the program in the fall of 2018. The technology has benefited Elderwood by offering a more efficient way to track any declines or improvements in the resident’s cognitive, physical, social or emotional quality of life areas. Information with what residents are doing in the facility can be shared with families, as well as with their physician.


The judges weighed value, relevance, impact and originality equally for innovations that have made notable contributions to the quality of care. The data captured in Activity Utility results in better clinical outcomes for residents and more person-centered care plans.


McKnight’s Long-Term Care News is a business news magazine serving the institutional long-term care field, focusing especially on the high-acuity skilled nursing setting. 



Premier Food Award

ELDERWOOD EMPLOYEES RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM PREMIER

06/24/2019

Two Elderwood employees were honored by Premier, a national health care improvement leader, for their excellence in the nutritional and culinary disciplines. Amy Julicher, Elderwood director of nutritional services and Daryl Cronk, Elderwood regional dining services manager were recognized at the Premier Breakthrough Conference on June 19 in Nashville, TN.


Julicher was honored with the Premier 2019 Illuminating Excellence Award for Continuum of Care. This national award acknowledges a food service director who shows outstanding accomplishments in their department, organization and community.


Julicher was selected to receive this prestigious award following a nationwide nomination process.


"Previous recipients and finalists for this award have accomplished and contributed so much in their field," said Julicher. "It’s an honor to be in their company."


Julicher earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Buffalo State College. 


She is looking forward to continuing to work with the kitchen staff at Elderwood’s skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living communities, to improve the quality of meals and enhance the dining experience of our residents.


Cronk, was also celebrated at this event. He recently placed fifth among 10 finalists for Premier’s national culinary creation contest Participants submitted classic entrée recipes with a twist for the competition.


Cronk provided a recipe for veggie hash with cilantro crème fraiche and frizzled carrots, which was judged by a group of Premier member chefs. The recipe was made from local organic and sustainable products.


“I was very excited to learn about my recipe placing in the top five,” said Cronk.


Cronk and the other finalists learned the overall winner of the competition at the event was Lyndon Espiritu, director of nutrition and food service at Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation in Manhasset, NY.


Cronk graduated with an associates degree from The Culinary Institute of America, with a concentration in culinary arts and chef training. He has been in the service food industry since he was a teenager, advancing to a chef from a dishwasher. 

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