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.

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 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 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.

LaRock Honored With Inaugural Fannie Frank Distinguished CNA Award

CANTON – Longtime United Helpers CNA Deborah LaRock was recently honored as the winner of the organization’s first “Fannie Frank Distinguished CNA Award.”

United Helpers volunteers and donors Dr. Edward I. and Barbara K. Gordon, who created the award as a tribute to Mr. Gordon’s grandmother, recently met with Ms. LaRock and presented her with the honor. 

From left, Barbara "Bobbie" Gordon, Deborah LaRock and
Dr. Edward Gordon

Ms. LaRock, of Gouverneur, has been a United Helpers employee caring for residents at the company’s facilities in Canton for more than 27 years.

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Canton’s Vice President of Operations Kimberly Blair nominated her.

In her written nomination, Mrs. Blair highly commended Ms. LaRock.

“She treats the residents as she would her own family and gives them the care and respect they deserve. Deb does not think that she is special or deserves any recognition,” she wrote. “In her mind, she is doing what she must do to take care of her residents. In my mind, she is a gem. She is the type of CNA that makes a nursing home a home.”

The Fannie Frank Award, which is $1,000, is awarded based on the following criteria:

• A remarkably caring demeanor
• Remarkably competent care
• Continuous employment with UH for five or more years
• Nomination by the Vice President of Operations at her respective facility

According to Dr. Gordon, Ms. Frank was a Polish immigrant who moved to the U.S. prior to World War I with her parents and six of her nine siblings. Three of her older siblings were already married and stayed behind, he said. They perished in World War II.

Dr. Gordon grew up in New York City in close proximity to his grandmother and credits her with instilling in him a love of animals that would eventually lead to his career as a veterinarian, noting that he and his grandmother were the only “animal lovers” in his family.

In addition to paying tribute to his grandmother, Dr. Gordon said the award will serve as a way to honor his family’s legacy.

“Now, her name will live on forever,” he said.

M-W's Plumley Eyes Return to the Court With Help from United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – Coming off the best season of her young athletic career, Madrid-Waddington’s Emma Plumley was looking forward to using the AAU season to continue strengthening her game in preparation for her junior season with her eyes also set on taking the court at the next level.

Ms. Plumley’s sophomore season included a sectional title, first-team All-NAC, and Second-Team Watertown Daily Times All-Northern honors. 

Physical Therapist Brett Amo works on a drill with Emma Plumley.

Heading into the 2019-2020 season Ms. Plumley, a guard on the school’s basketball team, knew she would again be an important piece to the Yellow Jackets success, as the team’s only returning starter. However, the start of her junior season was pushed back when she tore her right ACL while “crossing-up” a defender during an AAU game last April.

“I felt my knee cap move and I thought I had dislocated my knee,” she said. “They carried me to the bench and then they carried me to the car, so I really hadn’t put any weight on it until I got home. When I got home and tried to walk to the house I experienced what was probably the worst pain I’ve ever felt,” she said.

Ms. Plumley then had surgery in Boston with former New England Patriots team physician Dr. Thomas Gill performing her operation. However, prior to her surgery, she came to United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg for “prehab.”

“Those two months were focused on getting my leg stronger and improving my range of motion in preparation for surgery,” Ms. Plumley said, noting that prehab consisted of a lot of stretching and simple exercises that would help strengthen her leg without exacerbating her injury.

Two weeks after surgery and already off her crutches, Ms. Plumley returned to United Helpers to begin working towards the resumption of her athletic career.

“I knew I was going to come back, but I was super upset at the news (diagnosis of a torn ACL) and did briefly think what if I can’t play anymore,” she said. “But I only questioned myself for a little while and then got to work.”

Physical Therapist Brett Amo watches as Emma Plumley runs on a treadmill.

 Her therapy consisted of strength and flexibility training three times per week with Physical Therapist Brett Amo, who also worked with her prior to the surgery.

“Therapy was very challenging, but in a good way. It’s hard work, but I like to be pushed and Brett does a great job,” she said. “I’m actually probably in the best shape of my life.”

As she wrapped up what would be her final physical therapy appointment, Ms. Plumley said that her doctors have cleared her to return to action on Jan. 1, about a month-and-a-half after the season begins.

“After this, I want it more than ever,” she said. “I can’t wait to get back on the court.”

Adding to the excitement is the fact that Emma’s younger sister, Grace will also be joining the varsity team this year.

“I’m so excited because basketball is the one sport I really love (she also plays soccer) and I want to play in college,” she said. “I’m going to be a little nervous, especially the first time I do a crossover, but I am glad to be back.”

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.

United Helpers Hosting Defensive Driving Class Nov. 16

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers will be hosting a New York DMV approved National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16 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.

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.

Potsdam Man Able to be Closer to His Wife After Moving Into ISL

CANTON – Two years ago Lynn Warden’s wife, Shirley moved into the skilled nursing wing at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton. The move left Mr. Warden alone in the home the couple had shared for more than 50 years.

Lynn Warden

Following his wife’s move, Mr. Warden, a retired state trooper, said his children began encouraging him to find a smaller place closer to their mother where he wouldn’t have to be alone most of the time, and have to worry about everyday things like mowing the lawn, preparing meals or clearing the driveway.

“I had heard about this place (United Helpers Independent Senior Living, formerly Partridge Knoll), and if I ever had to go somewhere this is where I wanted to go, but honestly I didn’t want to leave my home,” he said. 

Looking back though on his move, Mr. Warden acknowledges now that his children were correct. “When you’re here you don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or snow blowing the driveway. It means a lot to have that stuff taken care of. It’s nice to have a break from those things that you’ve been doing your whole life.”

Mr. Warden also said he enjoys having dinner prepared for him each night.

“I never enjoyed preparing my own meals and the dinners here are fantastic,” he said, adding he also enjoys coffee hour each morning with a group of “15 or so” other members.

Mostly though, Mr. Warden said he enjoys being closer to his wife and once again having an active social life.

“I was driving 30 miles round trip each day, almost every day, so having her next door is very convenient,” he said, noting that while he usually goes to visit her, there have even been times when his wife has been able to come visit him.

Mr. Warden resides in a one-bedroom apartment at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, but amongst the building’s 38 apartments are a variety of both one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment styles, which he said are all very nice.

“These rooms are really nice, but the people really are something else, and that starts right at the top with Cindy (Community Housing Manager Cindy Lawrence) and Jenn (Housing Assistant Jennifer Dean). When you see them or any of the other employees here in the hall, it’s not just a “hello,” they actually stop and have a conversation with you.”

The building’s other residents have also made him feel at home.

“The people who live here are very nice,” he said. “It’s like a family. These people are my family now.”

Mr. Warden has been busy preparing his home in Potsdam to be sold, so he said he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to participate in a lot of the activities held at the building, but he said once his home is sold and he has more free time that’s something he’s hoping to do.

“I do look at the activities calendar every month, and if there isn’t something on that list you enjoy, I don’t know what to tell you. The activities here are really unlimited,” he said. Activities each month range from musical entertainment to shopping trips, card games, educational presentations, community outings and more.

“Anyone would be fortunate to get in here. The place really sells itself,” he said.

Mr. Warden also said he would like to caution people against getting sticker shock when advised of the monthly rates.

“I was paying property taxes, utilities and having to prepare my own meals,” he said. “When you look at all of that, it isn’t too bad, and that doesn’t even include not having to worry about maintenance anymore,” he said. “You certainly are getting what you pay for.”

To schedule a tour or learn more about United Helpers Independent Senior Living, including how you can get on the waiting list, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org or give them a call at (315) 379-1428. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/unitedhelpers.