A new article in The Buffalo News shares the story of Ron and Sue Garra, a Western New York couple who, despite a challenging dementia diagnosis, continue to find love and meaning in their relationship with the help of loved ones, the Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York, and Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV.

Seventy-three quality improvement leaders, including staff from several LeadingAge NY member organizations, have been recognized as recipients of United Hospital Fund’s 2022 Excellence in Health Care Award: Carmela Senese, MA, OTR/L, chief rehabilitation officer, and Yelena Yadgarova, MBA, RRT-NPS, director of respiratory therapy, Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center; Diane Shea, RN, BSN, chief quality officer, Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; Christene Joseph, RN, MS, WCC, C-NE, IPC, LNC, director of nursing services, Isabella Geriatric Center, Inc.; Faina Vasserman, RN, MS, CNS, IP, director of nursing, Menorah Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care; Lorette Shea, RN, BSN, MPS, assistant vice president of quality management, MJHS Home Care and MJHS Hospice; Sandra Mundy, LMSW, LNHA, administrator, The New Jewish Home, Manhattan; Igor Israel, MD, chief medical officer, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation; Theresa Renart, RN, education diabetic manager, RiverSpring Health Plans; Genevieve Sorensen, CPHQ, vice president for long term care, The Schulman and Schachne Institute for Nursing and Rehabilitation; Tina Hess, assistant director of quality, safety, and emergency preparedness, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children; and Ritchell R. Dignam, MD, HMDC, chief medical officer, VNSNY Provider Services, and hospice medical director, VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care, Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Members of The Osborn’s Sterling Park Independent Living community recently came together to support the people of Ukraine, raising more than $25,000 to help with humanitarian relief efforts. The fundraising effort was spearheaded by Osborn resident Barbara Ward.

This year, the Hebrew Home at Riverdale made the Jewish holiday of Purim more inclusive and meaningful for its residents by providing them the opportunity to hear the Megillah read in English from its brand-new kosher English Megillah.

Residents of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, RiverSpring Assisted Living, and RiverWalk recently took to the streets, protesting the war in Ukraine in front of the Russian Compound in Riverdale.

The New York State Department of Health recently announced that the National Guard’s deployment to Catholic Health’s long term care facilities has been extended through May 31^st. About a dozen guard members have been helping as non-clinical extenders at three of the facilities – Father Baker Manor, McAuley Residence, and Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV – since February.

Queens-Long Island Renal Institute, located at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, is pleased to announce the launch of its Home Hemodialysis Program.

AmeriCorps Seniors is currently seeking volunteers to support the Lutheran Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Chautauqua County.