United Helpers: COVID-19 at Lisbon IRA

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers has received results of positive COVID-19 cases at the Lisbon Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA).

According to Steve Knight, CEO, United Helpers was notified on Saturday that an employee that works at the Lisbon IRA had tested positive for the virus. Primary healthcare providers for the residents were immediately called and testing was performed on all of the facility’s 13 residents.

On Wednesday, United Helpers officials were informed that ten of the residents had tested positive, as well as one additional member of the care team. Several staff members have been tested, with results pending.

“At the recommendation of the primary care provider, the three residents that have tested negative have been placed in isolation,” Knight said.

United Helpers continues to follow guidelines outlined by the CDC, the NYS Department of Health, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), St. Lawrence County Public Health, and other governing bodies. For additional information, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/COVID.

           

United Helpers Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers officials were informed this morning that an employee of United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee was not symptomatic and has not worked at the facility since April 7, 2020. On April 13, (today), after testing positive, the employee was placed under quarantine due to what is believed to be a community exposure. The employee is currently at home and is not symptomatic.

At this time, no residents or staff members are displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

“Following recommendations from New York State Epidemiology and the St. Lawrence County Public Health, we continue our current protocols for surveillance of staff and symptoms related to COVID-19,” said Steve Knight, United Helpers CEO. “The safety of our residents and staff is always our number one priority.”

Tim Parsons, Vice President of Operations and staff members at UH Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg are currently contacting resident family members to inform them of the situation. 

United Helpers continues to follow guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the NYS Department of Health, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), NYS Office of Mental Health, St. Lawrence County Public Health, and other governing bodies. For additional information, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/COVID or contact Stacey Cannizzo, Vice President of Clinical Services and Quality at (315) 393-3074.  For further guidance or information, questions may be submitted to the NYS Department of Health at icp@health.ny.gov, covidadultcareinfo@health.ny.gov or covidnursinghomeinfo@health.gov.

United Helpers Hosting 2 Defensive Driving Courses This Month

OGDENSBURG – This month United Helpers will be hosting two New York DMV approved National Safety Council Defensive Driving Courses. 

The first class will be held on Friday, March 20, with a second class offered on Monday, March 30. Both classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Staff Development Training Room at the Behavioral Health/Life Skills (formerly Mosaic) Complex, 100 Ford St. in Ogdensburg.

The class serves as a refresher course for drivers of all ages and includes safe driving tips and an overview of today’s vehicle and traffic laws.

Successful completion of the class makes attendees eligible for a mandatory insurance premium reduction of up to 10% for three years on the base rate for their automobile or motorcycle insurance premiums, provided you are listed as the principal operator. Participants may also be eligible to have up to a four points removed reduction with the NYS DMV. The class may be taken once every 18 months for point reduction.

The cost of the class is $30, payable in cash, check or money order made out to United Helpers Care, Inc.  United Helpers employees may attend the class free of charge.

Please bring your driver’s license with you to class.  It is a requirement that you have it with you for documentation purposes.

Advanced registration is required. To register please contact Mark Darou at (315) 394-6702 ext. 303 or madarou@unitedhelpers.org.

Defensive Driving Course Offered Free to UH Employees

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers will be hosting a New York DMV approved National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020 in the Staff Development Training Room at the Behavioral Health/Life Skills (formerly Mosaic) Complex, 100 Ford St. in Ogdensburg. 

The class serves as a refresher course for drivers of all ages and includes safe driving tips and an overview of today’s vehicle and traffic laws. 

 

Successful completion of the class makes attendees eligible for a mandatory insurance premium reduction of up to 10% for three years on the base rate for their automobile or motorcycle insurance premiums, provided you are listed as the principal operator. Participants may also be eligible to have up to a four points removed reduction with the NYS DMV. The class may be taken once every 18 months for point reduction.

The cost of the class is $30, payable in cash, check or money order made out to United Helpers Care, Inc.  United Helpers employees may attend the class free of charge.

Please bring your driver’s license with you to class.  It is a requirement that you have it with you for documentation purposes.

Advanced registration is required. To register please contact Mark Darou at (315) 394-6702 ext. 303 or madarou@unitedhelpers.org.

United Helpers Hosting Educational Presentations in Canton and Ogdensburg

CANTON – The term “Senior Living” is, let’s face it, confusing and the term itself can have different meanings to different people. While senior living facilities typically cater to people 55 years and older, the services and amenities provided at each can be completely different. How do you know which living option is right for you or your loved one?

United Helpers is proud to host, “Senior Living: Understanding Your Options” on Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, 30 Sullivan Drive in Canton.

This same presentation will again be held on Monday, March 2 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the large classroom at United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills, 100 Ford St., Ogdensburg.

 “Understanding Your Options” is a free educational presentation designed to provide valuable information about the many senior living options and the types of services available here in northern New York.

“The majority of us plan to age in place or live at home for as long as possible,” explained Andrea Smith, Navigator for United Helpers. “This can be a viable solution for some, but for many seniors, a need will arise that will make it necessary for other options to be explored. Often times, our loved ones can become debilitated quickly and without warning. Our goal is to make sure you and your family are able to make a well-informed decision when the time comes.”

“Understanding Your Options” is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged, as space is limited. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Andrea Smith at 315-714-3117 or aesmith@unitedhelpers.org.

Applicants sought for Helen S. Randles Scholarship

OGDENSBURG - The Society of the United Helpers is seeking scholarship applications for graduating seniors in St. Lawrence County that are pursuing higher education in the health care fields of nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology and physician assistant.  

This year there will be three scholarships awarded in the amount of $750 each.  These scholarships were made available through a generous endowment donation from Helen S. Randles, who was a firm believer in the importance of education and, in particular, the education preparation of individuals for service in health care.

Applications are available at your local guidance office or on-line at www.unitedhelpers.org/scholarship.

All applications and required supporting documents are due back to the Society Office by Tuesday, April 7.

Regular Visitor to United Helpers in Ogdensburg Comes for In-patient Therapy Stay

OGDENSBURG - After visiting United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care regularly to deliver communion to residents, Sister Bernadette Collins recently spent just over two weeks there for an inpatient therapy stay.

As part of her mission work with the Diocese of Ogdensburg, Sister Bernadette has been visiting the facility on a weekly basis for more than three years.

Sister Bernadette Collins works with Chelsie Brenno, PTA.

“I knew the place and I had heard great things about the therapy here,” she said, adding she knew she wanted to do an inpatient stay following knee replacement surgery on her right leg.

The surgery took place on Dec. 30 and on Jan. 1 she checked into United Helpers. On Jan. 17 she was discharged back home. 

“I knew I wanted to do inpatient therapy because it would help me get better faster and I knew this was the place I wanted to do it,” Sister Bernadette said. “I’m glad I was able to get my therapy here, where I wanted.”

During her stay at United Helpers, Sister Bernadette said she’s received therapy twice a day, six days a week, with roughly 90 minutes of physical therapy and 30 minutes of occupational therapy each day.

While she says she’s happy with her progress, she said the road to recovery hasn’t been easy.

“The first week I was here, I said never again, but now looking back on it, I say, ‘if I have to do it again, it’s not so bad,’” she joked.

Physical Therapist Megan Morrison and Physical Therapist Assistant Chelsie Brenno worked with her during her stay, and Sister Bernadette said they were both great, as were the nurses, occupational therapy staff and everyone else she came into contact with during her stay.

“My therapists have been great. Megan is very good and so is Chelsie. The nurses have been great, and the food isn’t bad either,” she said.

Sister Bernadette said she can now walk short distances with a cane, while using a walker for longer distances. It is her goal to again walk unassisted, and Ms. Brenno said that should be achievable.

“She’s doing great and I try to remind her of that every day,” she said.

As Sister Bernadette continues working towards her goal, she will continue receiving physical therapy at United Helpers on an outpatient basis three times per week.

Thanks in part to the work she’s already put in with inpatient therapy, Ms. Morrison said Sister Bernadette now finds herself ahead of the game.

“Her range of motion is already ahead of where most people are when they start outpatient therapy,” Ms. Morrison said.

For more information regarding therapy services in Ogdensburg, please call (315) 393-0730 ext. 2156. For information regarding therapy services in Canton, please call (315) 386-4541 ext. 3217. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.