Family of the Late Dorothy Blodgett Donate Bench in Her Honor to Maplewood

From left, Karen Jenkins, Susan Marquart and her husband Stuart

CANTON – Following the passing of her mother, Dorothy Blodgett, Susan Marquart wanted to do something to give back to the staff at United Helpers Maplewood Campus, where her mother spent the final five years of her life.

Ms. Blodgett moved to Maplewood after showing signs of dementia, but what could have been a challenging time in her life, as well as the life of her children, was made easier by the love and care she received.

“When she first got here, she kind of still knew what was going on and they allowed her to continue being the woman she was,” Ms. Marquart said. “The care she received here was great.”

To give thanks to the staff, Mrs. Marquart donated an all-weather bench that now sits outside the entrance to the neighborhood where her mother lived. A plaque affixed to the bench reads, “In Loving Memory of Dorothy Blodgett.”

“This bench is for everyone, but it especially for the people on the North Wing. They did an amazing job with her and we really appreciate that,” she said. “Anytime we came in we saw that the staff was very caring and loving.  You can tell that they love being here and they know what they’re doing.”

Milligan Staff Help Beulah Meloche Turn 109 in Style

CNAs Brook Duprey and Amber Evans help Beulah Meloche open gifts at a party thrown in her honor on Monday.

Milligan Staff at RiverLedge Help Beulah Meloche Turn 109 in Style

OGDENSBURG – When Beulah Meloche was born on Nov. 23, 1909 World War I was still five years away, the Great Depression hadn’t happened yet and there was no such thing as television, let alone say the internet.

Ms. Meloche, who resides at United Helpers RiverLedge campus turned 109 Monday and the staff on the Milligan Neighborhood, where she lives, made sure it was a day to remember.

Milligan Neighborhood Nurse Manager Adrienne Danenberger said the party, which was supposed to be a surprise, took about a month to plan.

“It was supposed to be a surprise, but she’s very savvy. Since we had to decorate she saw us decorating, knew it was her birthday and put two and two together, but she didn’t know to what extent we had gone,” Ms. Danenberger said.

The party included a fully decorated dining room with balloons and streamers, music, a cake donated by Price Chopper and several gifts including clothing, lotions, a plush blanket, pens, notebooks and a wide variety of candy.

“It was an honor for us to put this on for her,” Ms. Danenberger said, noting Ms. Meloche is one of the most independent people in the building.

“She does exercises every day and she walks herself to breakfast lunch and dinner every day,” said Certified Nursing Assistant Amber Evans. “We really don’t have to do much for her.”

Certified Nursing Assistant Brook Duprey said she felt like turning 109 was an occasion that merited going the extra mile.

“We love all of our residents, but when you’re turning 109 I think that deserves a party,” she said.

After opening her gifts Ms. Meloche clapped in excitement as a birthday cake with the number 109 on it was presented to her. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she said of the cake, which was decorated with pink flowers.

Following an afternoon of excitement, Ms. Meloche retreated to her room to relax before dinner and reflect on the afternoon.

“The party was so nice,” she said. “It was good, beautiful gifts. Oh my goodness!”

 Ms. Meloche grew up in Plattsburgh and has lived at RiverLedge since 2011. She never had any children. In addition to Milligan Neighborhood staff, her lone surviving family member is a niece who lives outside the area.

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge 

Brandy Sharland - Welcome Center
Roxanne Bercume - LPN
Shannon Ramsdell - LPN

Maplewood
Stephanie Martinez - LPN

A.C.T. Team
Angela Doe - Behavioral Health Services Coordinator
Lindsay Irvine - RN

Kendrew IRA
Jennifer Hamilton - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Patrick Thornhill - Maintenance II

MacArthur, Ladouceur & Bradley Honored With Jackie Hodges Awards

OGDENSBURG - Three members of the United Helpers Family were honored this week with the prestigious Jackie Hodges award.

Martha “Marti” MacArthur, Wayne Ladouceur and William “Bill” Bradley (posthumously) were each honored at the Society of The United Helpers 2015 Annual Meeting.

Mrs. MacArthur, who joined the UH family in 2002, is currently a member of the Management Company Board representing Canton Nursing Home a.k.a. Maplewood Campus.

She has served on the finance, planning, nominating, fund development and pension committees, as well as on the Management Company Board of Directors, spending 2012 as the board’s president.

Mrs. MacArthur has also been an active member of several event committees including Harvest Dinners, the Clayton Horan Walk, Prediction Run/Walk, Spring Fling and Canton Capital Campaign. Donations to the Spring Fling include a rocking chair, as well as photographic canvases and post cards that were auctioned off to benefit the Society.

She was also instrumental in helping to secure the donation of her friend, Shirley Wells’ home to The Society. When the home was sold, proceeds to benefit the Society were nearly $180,000.

Mr. Ladouceur joined the UH family in 1991 and is a member of the Management Company Board representing United Helpers Nursing Home a.k.a. RiverLedge Campus.

He has served on the personnel, planning, nominating, finance, pension and quality assurance committees, as well as on the Management Company Board of Directors, serving as the board’s president from 2013 through May of 2015.

Mr. Ladouceur has also been an active member of several event committees including the Poker Run, Prediction Run/Walk and Spring Fling, where has been instrumental in helping to secure auction items for that event.

Mr. Bradley, who passed away earlier this year, had been a member of the UH family since 1986, serving on the Management Company Board as a representative for the Canton Nursing Home. At the time he joined the board, the Canton Nursing Home was known as Moongate. It has since been renamed Maplewood Campus.

He served on both the planning committee and Management Company Board of Directors, spending 1994 and 1995 as the board’s president.

He was also an active member of the Canton Capital Campaign and donated items to be auctioned at the Harvest Dinner and Spring Fling, often donating handcrafted note cards for both events. He also attended the Prediction Run/Walk each year.

The Jackie Hodges Award was created in 1995 to honor the legacy of Ms. Hodges, who had served on the Society Board since 1963. She would continue serving through 1998, giving her a total of 35 years the board.

According to Society By-laws, “This Award is especially prestigious and is not to be given at any specific time. The award is to be given only in recognition of a member of the Society who has emulated Jackie Hodges’ commitment and contributions and has financially supported the society each year they served.”

Previous honorees include Cheryl Madlin, Frank Schwartz, Janet Stitt, Ed Norris and Becky Van de Water.

What People Are Saying About Us

Earlier this week we received a comment card with the following message* from a therapy patient at Maplewood.

"I was in a serious motorcycle accident on Sept. 5 and after spending a week in the hospital was fortunate enough to end up at your Maplewood facility in Canton. For the first few weeks I suffered all the indignities: being hoyered onto a portable commode, bedpans and being unable to wash myself or get dressed. I was/am a very active, independent person and these changes, as well as the realization that this condition would not go away quickly and I wouldn't be seeing home for quite some time made me miserable, to put it mildly.
What saved me were your facility and most importantly the superb staff at every level in all departments, nearly without exception. The exceptions were simply a few personnel who were acceptable, but not exceptional. The greatest accolade I could give is that a big part of me actually regretted leaving. I still miss them and our interactions. I maintain contact with the PT/OT personnel and all the aids.
The caring for all aspects of my condition, both physical and emotional began immediately and continued, actually increased throughout my entire six week stay. I was never once made to feel uncomfortable in the least. As a result we all enjoyed each other's company immensely, and we got to know each other quite well. The night before I left I sent out for pizza and ribs for the evening shift. It was both a joyful and sad occasion. I'll forever cherish the card that all the staff gave to me at that time.
Of course the PT/OT staff played a huge role in my recovery, including the emotional and mental aspects of it.We had a ball. It was a thoroughly professional approach to a very serious and complex rehab that was executed in a thoroughly professional way. I was urged to voice my goals (e.g. wanting to be able to get on and off a real toilet in a real bathroom) and my exercised were tailored to help me reach that goal among others. The work was hard and at times uncomfortable, but I looked forward each day to the time spent with them all, as well as the other residents there. We learned about each other's families, commiserated about current events in each others lives, laughed, joked, encouraged each other and succeeded. As a result I want to do my challenging outpatient PT/OT at Maplewood once I'm ready for it.
My injuries included some complicated fractures of the wrist and ankles. My fullest recovery is of extreme importance to me. My choosing Maplewood art this critical juncture is further evidence of the trust I place in the professional capability of the PT/OT staff there.
Your people at the Maplewood facility are great - like extended family, many of them.
Of course, the facility itself was excellent. I wouldn't wish what happened to me on my worst enemy, but under the circumstances I was fortunate to have been able to get into Maplewood. The semi-private room was perfect. It gave me enough privacy, while still having activity nearby. It truly became "my room." the "great room" lounge was a great place to socialize with other residents, visitors, staff or to just hang out reading. We had some memorable times in that area! I thought the food service was also excellent. Of course, it's institutional cooking, but the quality and variety were excellent. Heck, I was even able to get liver, bacon and onions one evening! The level of cleanliness and the attention to detail was also very good. Once again, the housekeeping staff was personable, friendly and much fun to get to know.
I could go on and on.. Thank you for a wonderful experience in the midst of otherwise terrible circumstances. Well done!"

*Editors note: The comments have been edited for clarification.

Man Walking Again With Help From Therapy At United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – In just three weeks Reginald “Reggie” Emerson, of Potsdam went from being partially paralyzed to being able to walk with the assistance of one other person.

Mr. Emerson, who suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage, said the incident happened in the middle of the night.

“I was sleeping and then I woke up and that was it,” he said, adding he was then airlifted to Burlington, where he spent five days in the hospital before being released and admitted to United Helpers RiverLedge Campus.

“I was paralyzed on my left side all the way down,” he said, motioning from his shoulder down to his leg.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Amber Williams said she’s been impressed by the progress Reggie has made in just a short period of time.

“When Reggie first came to us it took two or three of us to stand him up, but we worked really hard with him and he has come a long way,” she said, noting that within a matter of weeks she could transfer him by herself. Now after three months of post hospital rehabilitation, Mr. Emerson can move on his own and has returned home.

Mr. Emerson said his therapy consisted of exercises that worked his hands, arms and legs, including walking with assistance to and from his room, a distance he estimated is “roughly 50 yards.”

Ms. Williams said Mr. Emerson has been a very motivated patient who has worked hard to be discharged and return home. “That helps a lot,” she said, explaining a patient’s willingness to work is one of the leading factors in whether or not therapy is ultimately successful.

After awaking with his injury, Mr. Emerson said he wasn’t sure what his future would hold, but following his stay at United Helpers, he was able to return home, though he continues to come to RiverLedge for outpatient therapy three days per week.

One of the people treating him now is Physical Therapy Assistant Joseph R. Longshore, who said Mr. Emerson, who is now using a walker, is continuing to make progress.

“Reggie is an excellent worker and I expect him to continue making progress,” Mr. Longshore said. “He is doing exercises at home, as well as here during PT.

Mr. Longshore said one of Mr. Emerson’s goals is to walk with a cane or no assistance at all, and Mr. Longshore said his therapy is being crafted with that goal in mind.

“One of his goals is to walk with a cane or even less assistant than that, so that’s why we’re working so much on his balance,” he said. He is doing extremely well and I think he is well on his way to meeting that goal.”

Mr. Emerson said he’s been pleased with his therapy both as a resident and out-patient client.

“This is a very good place,” he said. “They know what they’re doing and it shows.”

For more information on therapy services at United Helpers contact RiverLedge in Ogdensburg at (315) 393-0730, Maplewood in Canton at (315) 386-4541 or visit us online at www.unitedhelpers.org.

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge

Victoria Berg - RN
Kelley Ebersole - LPN

United Helpers Home Health Service 
Roxanne Stratton - Companion

Maplewood
Chasity Greene - CNA
Patrick Sullivan - Physical Therapy Assistant

United Helpers Management Company
Mark Davis - Maintenance II
Walter Stull Jr. - Maintenance II

Lisbon IRA
Jamie Lebarge - DSP

United Helpers Welcomes Trick or Treaters

Trick or Treaters at Maplewood

Both RiverLedge and Maplewood welcomed trick or treaters into their buildings this past weekend giving the people who live there a chance to interact with children and partake in the Halloween tradition of handing out candy to little ghouls and goblins.

Trick or Treaters at RiverLedge