Welcome New Hires

 

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care

Shelby Vallance - Task Aide

Rebecca Cooper - Task Aide

Elaina Lumley - CNA

Joanne Nelson - LPN

United Helpers Management Company

Darren Hirschey - Maintenance II

Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Riverwood IRA

Sophia Bobb - DSP

Kristen Snyder - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Danielle Youngs - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Spruce Street IRA

Alexis Bouchey - DSP

Emma Murphy - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Angellee Jenkins - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Care Coordination

Gary Lewis - Care Manager

Denner Honored With Fannie Frank Award

CANTON – As dinner was beginning to wind down, Dr. Edward Gordon said to the recipient of this year’s Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award, “I don’t believe we’ve ever talked about residents at this dinner before.”

According to those who know her, that anecdote perfectly sums up Chelsie Denner, a physical therapy assistant at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton.

“Chelsie has developed great relationships with all of her residents. She takes a gentle, caring approach to get the most out of her residents and she frequently has positive results,” said Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons. “She would much rather the attention be on them or her entire department.”

While no private health information was disclosed during the evening, plenty of stories were shared with many leading to laughter and smiles.

Director of Physical Therapy Trent Worden told one story about an individual who came to the nursing home in a wheelchair unable to walk and not confident that they would ever walk again.

“Chelsie spent five days a week with them and eventually they stood up, then they could take a few steps, and now with the assistance of a prosthetic leg that person is walking just like you or me,” Mr. Worden said. “That’s just one example. There are so many stories of Chelsie’s hard work and dedication that we could be here all night.”

Mr. Parsons said Chelsie will often do things with residents well beyond the scope of her job description.

“She never rushes through their treatments. She takes the time to get to know everyone as an individual and learn about their life experiences and families,” Mr. Parsons said. “It’s not unusual to see her chatting with a resident outside of the therapy room or even helping them with their cell phones, tablets, or other issues they may be having.”

Mr. Worden, who acts as Mrs. Denner’s immediate supervisor noted she also has a great rapport with her coworkers all throughout the building, including with nursing staff who have declared her an “honorary nurse.”

“She is the type of person who is fun to work with and makes the environment around her better. Her sense of humor can lighten almost any situation. She is a wonderful asset to the United Helpers team and often goes unrecognized for the daily energy and enthusiasm she consistently contributes. We’re lucky to have her,” Mr. Worden said. “When I was asked to think of nominees for this year’s award, I thought, “Who would the residents want to win?’ and her name was the first one that came to mind.’”

The Fannie Frank Award was established in 2019 by Dr. Gordon and his wife, Barbara, who are both longtime United Helpers volunteers. 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.

The award was created as a way to pay tribute to his grandmother, a Polish immigrant who moved to the U.S. prior to World War I with her parents and six of her nine siblings.

The award includes a cash bonus and is awarded based on the following criteria:

 ·         A remarkably caring demeanor

·         Currently employed at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care

·         Continuous employment with United Helpers for two or more years

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Physical Therapy Assistant Chelsie Denner was honored with this year’s Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award. Mrs. Denner has been employed by United Helpers since 2019 and has worked in Canton since 2021. Dr. Edward and Mrs. Barbara Gordon created the award in 2019 as a tribute to Dr. Gordon’s grandmother. Mrs. Denner lives in Ogdensburg with her husband, Gregory and two sons. From left, Director of Physical Therapy Trent Worden, Mrs. Denner, Dr. Gordon, and his wife Barbara. Dr. Gordon is pictured holding a photograph of his grandmother for whom the award is named.

Welcome New Hires

 

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care

Austin Jones - CN

Idil Ismail - CNA

Kaydence Spencer - CNA

Samantha Storie - CNA in Training

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Riverwood IRA

Jacalyn Austin - DSP

Katy Axtell - DSP

Abby Ashley - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Spruce Street IRA

Patrick Buckley - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Centennial IRA

Alexa Trimm - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Liberty McIntyre - DSP

Former Snowbird Credits ISL Move for Preserving Quality of Life

CANTON – A former snowbird who decided he no longer wanted to travel back and forth between Florida and the North Country said he’s thankful for this move to United Helpers Independent Senior Living. In fact, both he and his children credit the move for possibly preserving the quality of life he’s able to continue enjoying today.

John Snell, formerly of Parishville, was speaking on the phone with his daughter, Kathleen Reagan, when something didn’t seem right. Mrs. Reagan noticed too. 

John Snell with his daughter, Kathleen Reagan

“We went from having a normal conversation to him not being able to put a sentence together and he said he wasn’t sure what was happening,” Mrs. Reagan recalled, adding she then hung up the phone with her father and called Community Housing Manager Jennifer Dean, who ran down to his room. 911 was called and it was determined that Mr. Snell was having a stroke.

The quick response from Mrs. Dean and the Canton Rescue Squad enabled Mr. Snell to begin receiving treatment almost immediately, helping to preserve his quality of life and limit the stroke’s impact.

Prior to his move into United Helpers Independent Senior Living Mr. Snell was living on his own. “My wife passed seven years ago and most of my friends have passed on too,” he said. “I would have been in Florida by myself and who knows how this would have turned out,” he said.

It was that sense of loneliness that led Mr. Snell to the ISL. “My daughters had mentioned it two or three times and then one day on my own I came to check it out and thought, that doesn’t look so bad,” he recalled.

Mr. Snell was living along Higley Flow during the spring and summer, while spending the colder months in Florida.

“I just wanted to have one place. I didn’t want to travel back and forth anymore and it just wasn’t practical to stay here by myself in the winter,” he said.

Since moving into the ISL, Mr. Snell said he has made several friends and also reconnected with some people he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It was a big move, but I’m glad I made it,” he said. “Everything here is perfect. The staff, the residents, the cook, the custodian. They’re all very nice and there is a tremendous sense of community. When I got back from the hospital everyone was checking on me to see how I was doing and there were a lot of people willing to help me with anything I needed.”

If you’re interested in learning more about United Helpers Independent Senior Living, an open house will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 14. A virtual tour may also be taken at www.unitedhelpers.org or a private tour may be scheduled by calling (315) 379-1428.

Grand Opening Celebrated at United Helpers Behavioral Health Complex

In 2023 United Helpers Behavioral Health programs provided service to more than 1,300 unique people through a variety of offerings that treat people in their homes, at our clinics, in an apartment owned by United Helpers, or even at school.

That number has steadily increased since 1991 when Gateway Apartments opened becoming the organization’s first behavioral health program. Today United Helpers also offers care coordination, supportive housing, Assertive Community Treatment, and outpatient treatment at one of two clinics, located in either Canton or Ogdensburg.

All of these programs and more were recently celebrated with the grand opening of the United Helpers Behavioral Health Clinic in Ogdensburg, which earlier this year, relocated from its original home at 221 Hamilton Street to the former United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Building at 8101 State Highway 68, just outside the city.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention roughly 40% of Americans at any given time would benefit from mental services of some sort.

“In St. Lawrence County, 40% is equal to almost 44,000 people,” said Director of Behavioral Health Services David K. Nelson. “There is a tremendous need for these services in our community and this moves helps us streamline that process of provide these services to more people than ever before.”

With the exception of Gateway Apartments, the clinic and Canton and several newly opened satellite clinics at the Madrid-Waddington, Colton-Pierrepont, Edwards-Knox, and Parishville-Hopkinton school districts, these services are now all located under one roof.

In addition to the services provided at these satellite clinics, Mr. Nelson said nearly one-third of the roughly 900 patients receiving services at either the Canton or Ogdensburg clinic are under the age of 18.

In Ogdensburg, those patients now have their own designated waiting area, just one of the benefits that came with the move.

Outlining each of the services provided out of this new locations, Mr. Nelson noted that the supportive housing program was able to provide aid to nearly 100 people last year. The care coordination program served almost 300 people across St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties and the Assertive Community Treatment Team has provided services to a full case load of 48 individuals.

When all of those numbers are added up, Mr. Nelson said that equals out to be nearly 24,000 patient contacts, a number that he said isn’t going to get lower anytime soon.

While many of the programs are referral-based programs, Mr. Nelson said anyone in need of behavioral health services is encouraged to contact either the clinic in Canton or Ogdensburg.

Both clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with early morning or evening appointments available upon request. To schedule an appointment in Ogdensburg, please call (315) 541-3042. For an appointment in Canton, please call (315) 386-0264.

Patrons receiving services in Ogdensburg are asked to enter the building through its main entrance on the back side of the property by the flagpole. Guests will be greeted upon entry and accompanied to the clinic space. 

All things behavioral health were celebrated at a recent grand opening celebration for the United Helpers Behavioral Health Complex, which has moved into the former Rehabilitation and Senior Care space. The building houses many of United Helpers’ behavioral health programs, including its Ogdensburg Behavioral Health Clinic. Front row, from left, Kurtis Ellison, LMSW, Practice Manager Sarah Matthie, Director of Behavioral Health Services David K. Nelson, Care Coordination Program Leader Audrey Plourde, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services Breanne Snyder, Society Board Member Yvonne Lewandowski; second row, Clinical Supervisor Jeanine Forrester, LCSW, ACT Team Assistant Program Leader April Randall, Financial Assistant Alice Van Schiack, Vice President of Corporate Services Michelle Matthews; back row, Interim City Manager Andrea Smith, CEO Todd Amo, ACT Team Leader Amy Chisolm, Care Coordination Assistant Program Leader Kaitlyn Rayburn, CFO Kelly Lowery, Mayor Michael Tooley, and Director of Facility Operations Rick Pirie.

After Four Years of Letters, Pen Pals Meet at United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care

CANTON - During the COVID-19 pandemic when the whole world went into isolation, Myrtle Butterfield, then a resident in the Assisted Living Program at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton made a new friend with whom she would communicate for years before meeting each other face to face for the first time earlier this week.

At the time Brianne Printup worked at Clarkson University. She thought it would be fun to write letters to residents at area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

Since that time Ms. Printup and Mrs. Butterfield continued writing and have done so on a regular basis for the past four years. Today, Mrs. Butterfield remains a resident at Rehabilitation and Senior Care, now residing in the skilled nursing wing. Ms. Printup no longer works at Clarkson and lives downstate, but her connection to the North Country remains through family in the Massena area and her relationship with Mrs. Butterfield.

United Helpers Activities Leader Lauren Martinchek has also been involved since the beginning, serving as Mrs. Butterfield's "secretary" and helping her write the letters which would form the backbone of this unique friendship.

"When they were chatting today, I don't think I have ever seen Myrtle so happy," Ms. Martinchek said. "And Mrytle is usually a pretty happy lady."

Brianne Printup began writing letters to Myrtle Butterfield four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic when resident at the nursing home were having little to no contact with the outside world. Earlier this week, after exchanging letters for four years, they met for the first time. From left, Ms. Printup. Mrs. Butterfield, and Activities Leader Lauren Martinchek. Mrs. Butterfield credits Ms. Martinchek with helping her write the letters, jokingly calling her, "my secretary."

United Helpers Hosting Defensive Driving Course; Employees May Attend Free of Charge

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 Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 in the large staff development classroom at the former United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care (RiverLedge), 8101 State Highway 68, 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 $40, payable in cash, check or money order made out to United Helpers Care, Inc. Classes may be paid for on the day of the class. 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.