March 16, 2021
With regard to weekly testing of staff for COVID-19, which was held Tuesday, March 9, all staff have tested negative.
In response to updated information provided by the NYS Department of Health regarding visitation, please note that beginning Wednesday, March 17, visitors to Ingersoll Place will not be required to provide proof of COVID-19 testing or vaccination status. Another important update: residents can leave the facility in the company of family members and/or friends and will not be required to quarantine or produce a negative COVID test result upon their return. We do, however, urge families and residents to continue following infection control and prevention practices including the use of masks and hand sanitizer and social distancing.
Also with regard to visitation, on-site visits with residents will continue to be by appointment only as there is a limit on the number of visitors permitted inside the facility or in outdoor areas at any one time. On-site visitation will be held in either the Library, Front Lobby, Memory Care Sunroom, Lower East Lounge or East Side Courtyard. Compassionate care situations that warrant visits with residents in their own apartments will be reviewed on a resident-specific basis.
It’s also important to note that visitation will be suspended if there are any new resident or staff cases of COVID-19, in compliance with NYS Dept. of Health regulations. Ingersoll’s Visitation Policy can be read in its entirety at https://ingersollplace.org/blob/news-files.ashx?ID=7. We will continue to update you on changes to this policy via email and on the Ingersoll Place website. Please contact Michelle Rearic, Business Office Manager or Caroline Thompson, Executive Director with questions or concerns.
On another important topic, please be aware that the Upper East medication room is temporarily closed. Medication management and all other services for Upper East residents are being provided cooperatively by Resident Care staff and all daily routines are being maintained. Also, please note, staff to resident ratios remain unchanged. During the past year, during peak periods of COVID-19, when quarantine and restricted visitation were the new normal, we experienced a decline in the number of new admissions in Assisted Living. During that same period, there was increased demand for our Memory Care Unit – which is near capacity. To ensure all residents’ needs are being met and in response to reduced occupancy, particularly, on the Upper East unit, cross-coverage by the Assisted Living staff was implemented in early March. We are anticipating an upward trend in Assisted Living admissions in the months ahead as traditional visitation, including tours by prospective residents and families, resumes. If you have questions regarding staffing or other operational issues, please contact Caroline Thompson, Executive Director.
Lastly, four Ingersoll staff members recently took part in voluntary training in adult and pediatric first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and use of an AED (automated external defibrillator). The Red Cross Certified Instructor was our own Michelle “Shelly” Rearic, Business Office/HR Manager (photo below). Michelle, a 12 year veteran at Ingersoll Place, is pursuing a nursing degree and taking college prerequisites at SUNY Schenectady.
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
