December 9, 2021
Ingersoll Place is ready for the holidays! The tree is lit, the fireplace is roaring and Christmas tunes are playing gently in the background. This fall season has been a whirlwind of activity with special events like the Fall Ball, weekly pool tournaments (see photo below) and poker games and the return of live musical performances. Next Wednesday, residents and staff will gather for Ingersoll’s annual Christmas party. It will kick-off with an upscale “happy hour,” entertainment by Mike Purcell and a fabulous dinner prepared by Chef Igor and his food service team. Although the Activities Department’s calendar of events has returned to a “near normal” array of offerings, certain health department regulations and infection control protocols remain in place. With that in mind – and to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and influenza – there will be no invited guests or visitors at this year’s holiday party.
“Although this may be disappointing for some of Ingersoll’s extended family,” notes Caroline Thompson, Executive Director, “we are just so grateful that our residents can gather and enjoy this festive time together. Last year’s celebration was canceled due to COVID-19 and residents were quarantined in their apartments,” she explains. “This year’s celebration is even more meaningful when you think about the difference a year has made. Your cooperation and support are appreciated as we do everything possible to keep holiday spirits high and minimize illness among residents and staff.”
At the present time, while there are no visitation restrictions at Ingersoll Place, infection rates for COVID-19 are on the rise in some areas of New York State. On Nov. 26, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency in effect through Jan. 15, 2022. Here at Ingersoll, we continue to maintain visitation policies including the visitors’ log, temperature checks, mask wearing and hand-hygiene. We urge families and friends to postpone visits if they are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, body aches, nausea, vomiting and other potentially communicable illnesses. Reminder: All on-site visits with residents must take place in residents’ apartments or designated lounge areas. Residents and their visitors are required to wear masks in public spaces including the main lobby and hallways. Also please note: As required by the NYS Dept. of Health, we are in the process of updating documentation of each resident’s designated “compassionate care” and “personal caregiving” visitors. The regulation which went into effect in August and must be reviewed every six months, allows residents to visit with specified individuals – including family members and/or friends - even if visitation restrictions go into effect during a public health emergency. For questions about visitation, please contact Kate Giemza, RN; Amber Zoller, Assistant Case Manager or Caroline Thompson, Executive Director.
With regard to other key New York State regulations including the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers, all Ingersoll Place employees and contract workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All but one resident are fully vaccinated; almost all have received their booster shots.
In addition to COVID-19 related matters, there are other noteworthy happenings at Ingersoll Place. Last month, two hydroponic tower gardens were installed in the main lobby (photo below). The towers, which are now sprouting an assortment of herbs and lettuces are a source of curiosity and conversation among residents, staff and visitors. The first crop is not yet ready for harvesting but we’ll keep you posted as to how they will be used in food preparation in the months ahead. Several deer sightings on the East Wing hillside have been reported by residents and staff and a pair of Mallard ducks (photo below) were seen paddling around the little pond during yesterday’s snow shower.
Upcoming special events hosted by the Activities Department include a “Holiday Sweater Contest” for residents and staff; also, “My Most Prized Possession,” a show-and-tell event at which residents can display and describe their most treasured photos, pieces of clothing or other keepsakes. A holiday “paint and sip” event and a scenic drive through Albany’s Capital Holiday Lights in the Park are also scheduled this month.
Lastly, a shout-out to Michelle “Shelly” Rearic who’s been on maternity leave with newborn daughter Kelia and will be returning to work in early January. Shelly took an amazing photo of Ingersoll Place during a snowstorm in 2017. That photo served as the inspiration for this year’s Christmas Party invitation (see illustration below).
Wishing one and all a safe and happy holiday season.
Please contact the following members of the management staff, as appropriate, at 518-370-4419:
Caroline Thompson, Executive Director/Administrator
Kate Giemza, RN, Resident Care Director
Pam Jordan, Facilities Director
Michelle Rearic, Business Office/HR Manager
Amber Zoller, Assistant Case Manager
Christina Benardo, Activities Director
Ceil Mack, Marketing Director
