Jul 29, 2016

Behavioral Health Clinic Celebrates Grand Opening




OGDENBSURG - The United Helpers Mosaic Behavioral Health Clinic officially celebrated its grand opening on Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by company officials, as well as local and state dignitaries.

The clinic, located at 221 Hamilton St. offers confidential mental health services to treat and diagnose those suffering from depression, anxiety and anger, sexual and/or physical abuse, chronic mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder or co-occurring disorders.

“Our mission at United Helpers is to serve our community and to help those in need. Our new clinic came from our recognition of the need for additional outpatient mental health services in our community,” said Mosaic Administrator Michele M. Montroy. “We are proud to add this clinic to our existing continuum of services, and to further the mission of United Helpers.”

The continuum of services is something that Behavioral Health Coordinator Angela Doe said is important.

“As the newest addition to the United Helpers continuum of services, this clinic will provide increased access to quality mental health services for our most deserving residents and their families. Individuals seeking mental health services may call to schedule an appointment or may walk-in for an assessment," she said.  

The United Helpers Mosaic continuum of services for people with mental illness also includes care management, supported housing with case management services, intensive supportive housing, service coordination and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

The clinic, which is licensed to provide children’s therapy, will also offer individual, group or family therapy, as well as psycho education, psychiatric diagnostic assessments, psychiatric medication management, care coordination, coping skills training and wellness promotion for people of all ages.

To schedule an appointment, or for further information, please call (315) 541-3042. Most third-party payers, insurance plans and Medicaid will be accepted and no one will be refused services based on their inability to pay for care.


The clinic is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with after-hours appointments available as-needed.

For a complete album of photos from the event click  here.

Jul 26, 2016

Doctor Knows Best



Trent Worden, DPT, Dr. Robert Hentschel and Jeannie McNally, Director of Social Services. 


After medication changes and aortic valve surgery left him weakened and unable to walk, Dr. Robert Hentschel, retired Ogdensburg physician, was determined to convalesce and regain his strength at home.

His plan failed.

After a few falls, frustration and no improvement, it was clear that more help was needed.

“I fought passionately to avoid a rehabilitation stay,” Dr. Hentschel recalled smiling. “I was exhausted, my wife was exhausted. Finally, my physician, my friends and family convinced me that I couldn’t fend for myself any longer.”

Dr. Hentschel chose RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg.

“I was at RiverLedge for less than an hour and my whole attitude about the place changed,” Dr. Hentschel chuckled. “People were really accommodating, friendly, and upbeat. My room was great. There wasn’t any more apprehension.”

With the help of the rehabilitation teams at RiverLedge, Dr. Hentschel was able to set realistic goals for himself.  It wasn’t long before everyone started citing improvement.

“Dr. Hentschel worked very hard to recover. His tremendous effort and positive attitude were imperative to his success,” Trent Worden, DPT said.  "We simply guided him along the way with precise exercises aimed at improving on his weaknesses and improving his ability to stand up and walk on his own."

Dr. Hentschel attended therapy sessions, socialized and ate meals with new friends and grew stronger. “While a rehabilitative stay involves a concentration on therapy services, there is really much more to it,” said Jeannie McNally, Director of Social Services. “We focus on the total well-being of a person, looking toward achieving the best quality of life for each person we work with. Proper nutrition, medication management, socialization, they are all part of that package. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else is fighting to accomplish the same goals you are can be pretty motivational.”   

Toward the end of his stay, a home visit was scheduled to ensure that Dr. Hentschel’s transition to home would be a smooth one.

“The home visit is an important step. Sometimes people do better in their own environment than ours because they are used to moving around in their own space. We look at things that we cannot simulate in the therapy gym, such as walking in and out of small bathrooms when you cannot use a walker,” Worden added. “During the home visit we provide small recommendations that people may not think of that can reduce fall risk and lead to a successful discharge home.” Things like removing throw rugs, placing assistive devices in strategic places to aid in safe mobility, are addressed. Often times, rehab services continue after a patient returns home in an outpatient setting or with home health care services.

Dr. Hentschel was discharged from RiverLedge after a few weeks. “I couldn’t have gotten this far on my own,” he said. “Having a team taking care of you and look at your situation individually really makes a difference. My impression? This place is wonderful. I was worried about what it was going to be like to be a resident and now I’m a little sad, knowing how much I will miss everyone.”

Sub acute, short-term rehabilitation is available at United Helpers’ RiverLedge (Ogdensburg) and Maplewood (Canton) Health Care & Rehabilitation Centers. To learn more about services offered by United Helpers, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org online or call Nicholas J. Maneely, Corporate Services Liaison at (315) 323-9223.




Welcome New Hires



RiverLedge
Erica Baldwin - Food Service Attendant
Arianne McCarthy - Cook/Food Service Attendant
Eliza Jane Hamilton - Task Aide
Madison Mullikin - Task Aide
Corey Scott - CNA
Joshua Sharpe - CNA

Maplewood
Katelyn Bloom - CNA
Shelby Desormeaux - CNA
Abryanna Kelley

Basta's
Shelley McLellan - Maintenance/Labor

Bernard Avenue IRA
Savannah Crane - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Mandi - Robertson - DSP

Jul 22, 2016

Time is almost up!

"LifeImproved." We are accepting nominations! 

We all know co-workers who have gone the extra mile to help out a resident or colleague in need.
It's that time again. We want to honor our best of the best! We're looking for nominations of employees who have truly lived the "Life. Improved." motto and made a difference in the lives of our residents or the people we serve.
Tell us who you think goes above and beyond their day-to-day job to improve the lives of their residents, patients, visitors and/or coworkers. Today is the last day for nominations, so act fast!

Follow the link below to submit your nomination or email: cmalberto@unitedhelpers.org. Provide examples and be as descriptive as possible.

Nominations via form or email must be received by 4 pm on Friday, July 22.


http://goo.gl/forms/VyEe5ox0Qt8z8atr1


Jul 20, 2016

Assisted Living Open House Friday

CANTONThe ALP (Assisted Living Program) at Maplewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center will be holding an open house on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Advance registration is not necessary.
The ALP is a 48-bed assisted living facility that offers seniors assistance when needed, while also allowing them to maintain a sense of independence.
Each room includes a private bathroom and shower with community lounges, dining rooms and kitchens available.
United Helper’s Maplewood Campus is located at 205 State Street Road in Canton.
To learn more or schedule a tour today, please call (315) 386-4541 or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

United Helpers Collecting Donations for Back to School Clothing Giveaway

OGDENSBURG – Due to the success of last year’s back to school clothing giveaway, the United Helper’s Housing Department’s SWISH Program will be holding two such events this year with distribution sites in Gouverneur at Cambray Courts and in Parishville at Mill Yard Estates.

Cambray Courts will be open on Aug. 16 from noon to 6 p.m., with the distribution in Parishville being held from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 18.

If you would like to support the effort to provide students of all ages with “new to them,” gently-used clothing items, donations are still being accepted. Donations may be dropped off at Cambray Courts, Mill Yard Estates or at the United Helper’s Management Company in Ogdensburg.

Adult-sized clothing is also accepted, as many teenagers wear these items.

People interested in making a donation may also call 393-3074 x 4220 to arrange for your contribution to be picked up.

Jul 12, 2016

Welcome New Hires



RiverLedge
Melissa Ayen - RN
Destiny LaBarge - CNA
Lacy Lytle - CNA
Alicia Sharpe - CNA
Ashley Sharpstene - CNA
Tristan Vine - CNA
Holly Davis - Task Aide
Christine Delgado - Task Aide
Ashley Dusharm - Task Aide
Adriania Fanelli - Task Aide
Reilly Alberto - Food Service Attendant
Isaac Eggleson - Food Service Attendant


Maplewood
Ashley Davey - LPN
Denise Vierich - RN
Ross Curley - CNA
Kaileigh Kingsley - CNA
Amber Hazelton - Housskeeper/Laundry Aide
Charla Whitmarsh - Food Service Attendant

United Helpers Home Health Services
Jennifer Leeder-Pryce - Home Health Aide/Companion

United Helpers Management Company
Kareen Bedford - Office Tech (Housing)
Franklyn Marshall - Maintenance II

Health Home (Supportive Case Management)
Amy McDonald - Care Manager

Jul 11, 2016

A Chance to Win, A Choice to Make a Difference!



Photo Caption:  Nicholas J. Maneely, Corporate Services Liaison, purchases his Raffle for the Residents ticket from Lori A. Smithers, Development Director.  

OGDENSBURG – The Society of the United Helpers is pleased to announce the return of the Raffle for the Residents. 2,000 tickets will be sold, offering a chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 in cash, a $2,500 second prize, $1,000 third prize, $500 fourth prize or $100 fifth prize. Tickets are $10 each and are available at any United Helpers’ facility or online at www.unitedhelpers.org/content/make-gift. The grand prize drawing will be held on Friday, September 30th at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center.

The Raffle for the Residents raises a major fundraiser for the Society of the United Helpers, providing funding for purchases and activities that benefit the residents of United Helpers and the people they serve.

For more information, please contact the Society of the United Helpers Development office at 303-3074 ext. 4230.