A Menorah Park Minute Friday, June 26, 2020

"Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else."   Fred Rogers

Future Updates from Menorah Park Throughout these months, we have worked extremely hard to ensure that we are sharing timely and transparent information about the health and well-being of our residents and our staff. In the early days of the COVID crisis, it was important that we communicate often and through multiple vehicles. With the ongoing work of both our clinical staff and the team at Syracuse Jewish Family Service, we continue update while maintaining regular contact with families- merely at less-frequent intervals. We will begin sending out email updates on an “as needed” basis.And we’ll continue to update our website regularly regarding the status of COVID-19 on our campus. This e-newsletter,  A Menorah Park Minute , will move to a bi-weekly publication schedule. We hope you will continue to read about all of the happenings here on campus, especially as we move towards re-opening to family, friends and the community.  As always, please feel free to send us your comments and feedback. Click here for COVID-19 updates

Oaks Reopens Atrium and Dining Room Raising a glass and breaking bread with our families and friends is a simple yet powerful way to create connection. The Oaks at Menorah Park has long prided itself on an ability to offer more than just a communal dining hour for our residents. Along with the delicious kosher cuisine, our attentive staff treat our residents like family. Our residents welcome the daily connection they have with their friends and neighbors. When COVID-19 forced us to close our dining room in March, we were concerned about the impact to residents. Our dining services team sprang into action: three meals were delivered daily to our residents’ doors. This week we reopened our atrium and dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively. Following strict health department guidelines for infection control and safety, our residents now have a choice to eat with one another or to continue to eat in their apartments. While not ideal - social distancing creates new challenges for conversation and connection - the verdict so far is a resounding “ thumbs up "! *Pictures reflect pre-COVID seating..

Advocating For Visitors As nursing homes throughout New York state enter into their fifth month of restricted visitation, the psychological and emotional toll on residents and their families continues. Last week, when group homes and hospitals were permitted to open to visitors, Menorah Park, like other area facilities, was hopeful that nursing homes would be included. Unfortunately it was not to be.  Long term care experts, leaders and advocates continue to push for this “next phase” that would include a safe, sensible re-opening of nursing homes to visitors. Families with loved ones--as well as staff at these facilities--are beginning to voice their concerns, too. Menorah Park social worker Jacki O’Brien-Gerace, wanted to be a voice for change. She like her other colleagues continue to bear witness to the damage this forced isolation is causing. Her thoughtful piece not only speaks on behalf of our residents, their families and our staff but for nursing homes throughout the region. Read it here . (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

How Are We Doing? We sincerely want to hear from you. We encourage you to tell us how we're doing - both what we're doing well and what we can improve upon. Click here to submit your comments and questions. Select COVID 19 Comments & Questions from the drop down menu. Thank you for your input.

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