February 26, 2021
With regard to weekly testing of staff for COVID-19, which was held Tuesday, Feb. 23, all staff have tested negative. The final day of the current quarantine period is Wednesday, March 3.
The dining room will reopen Thursday, March 4, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mealtimes will be staggered to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements that remain in effect.
Small group activities will resume Thursday in the Activities Room under close supervision by staff. Residents will be masked and safely distanced and high-touch surfaces will be disinfected between activities.
Indoor visitation will resume Monday, March 8. Visits will be held in the Library by appointment only. All visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, will undergo temperature checks, be asked screening questions and must present written proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days prior to the visit. We urge you to read the Visitation Policy in its entirety at https://ingersollplace.org/blob/news-files.ashx?ID=7; also the Indoor Visitation Policy Update at https://ingersollplace.org/blob/news-files.ashx?ID=8.
We will begin accepting indoor visitation requests on Wednesday, March 3. To schedule an indoor visit, please call the Reception Desk – Monday through Friday – from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have questions regarding visitation, please contact Michelle Rearic, Business Office Manager.
With regard to recent announcements from Governor Cuomo and the New York State Dept. of Health regarding changes in visitation, it’s important to note, these newly released guidelines are for nursing homes not adult care/assisted living facilities. According to the Empire State Association of Assisting Living (ESAAL) these recent changes are, however, “a good indication that assisted living/adult care homes will be next for some loosening of restrictions.” We do not yet know when new guidelines will be announced, the changes that will be made or when they will take effect. Until new guidance is issued, Ingersoll Place must adhere to its most current visitation policies (see links, above).
Many Ingersoll residents and their families (along with thousands of others across New York State) have asked what they can do to move this process along. ESAAL and other advocacy groups continue to utilize their government relations teams and the news media to make everyone’s voices and concerns heard. On Wed. March 3, Activities Department staff will be assisting residents that have expressed interest in writing letters to their elected officials. Family members and friends are encouraged to do the same. To assist in that effort, the following officials and their email addresses have been provided by ESAAL: NYS Health Commissioner Howard Zucker at howard.zucker@health.ny.gov; Heidi Hayes, Director of Division of Adult Care Facility/Assisted Living at Heidi.Hayes@health.ny.gov; COVID hotline email at covidadultcareinfo@health.ny.gov; Contact the Governor at https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Please note, effective March 1, the Reception Desk will be staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. After hours, incoming calls will transfer to the Resident Care Supervisor’s phone.
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
Michelle Rearic, Business Office/HR Manager
Amber Zoller, Assistant Case Manager
Pam Jordan, Facilities Director
Christina Benardo, Activities Director
Ceil Mack, Marketing Director
