April 16, 2021
Weekly testing of employees for COVID-19, was carried out Tuesday, April 13. All staff have tested negative thus far; one result has not yet been received. We will notify you promptly if there is a change.
With regard to visitation, it’s important for everyone – residents, family members and friends – to understand that all Adult Care/Assisted Living Facilities in New York State are still required to comply with NYS Department of Health (DOH) regulations, in particular, “core principles and best practices that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.” These include but are not limited to the screening of all visitors that wish to enter the facility, use of hand sanitizer before and after visits, mask wearing at all times by residents and visitors, no eating or drinking during visits, maintaining six feet of distance at all times between visitors and residents, cleaning and disinfecting of visitation areas and staff supervision.
Most visits will take place in designated visitation areas throughout the building including sun rooms, lounge areas, the library and lobby-alcove. Weather permitting, outdoor visits will be scheduled in the East and West Wing garden areas. Compassionate care situations that warrant visits with residents in their own apartments will be reviewed on a resident-specific basis by the management team.
Important reminder: If you are planning on taking a resident off-site, please notify the Reception Desk at least two hours prior to your scheduled arrival. This will allow staff adequate time to prepare the resident for an outing, make sure medication needs are met and offer reassurance to those residents who may not always remember where they’re going or with whom. Even if you’ve made arrangements directly with your loved one, please inform the front desk of your plans, in advance.
Please know, we are doing our best to be responsive to “last-minute” requests for visits. In the words of Executive Director Caroline Thompson, “We don’t want to say no.” If a family member is in town unexpectedly, if there’s sad news that needs to be shared or you just have a sudden urge to see a loved one, give the Reception Desk a call and we’ll try to make it happen. There may be times (few and far between, we hope) when we simply can’t and ask for your understanding.
For those of you who may not be aware, we are instructed by the NYS Dept. of Health to effectively manage the number of visitors present in the building, the duration of visits and visitors’ compliance with established guidelines. Per the NYS Dept. of Health, “Visitors who are unable to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention should not be permitted to visit or should be asked to leave.” If Ingersoll Place, as a NYS licensed facility, fails to carry out its responsibilities, it can be fined for each violation. Please help us make sure this never happens.
We’ve come a long way since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents are again enjoying their favorite activities, sitting outside on sunny days and most of all, visiting with their families and friends. We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to navigate changing COVID-19 regulations.
Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant weekend.
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
