A Word from the Administrator
The Heritage was the first facility in Central New York to recognize the need for specialized housing for people with dementia. Prior to The Heritage, people with dementia who could no longer live at home had few options. The Heritage is able to offer enriched housing and assisted living services to this very vulnerable population in a warm, home-like atmosphere. We understand that caring for a loved one with dementia is a physically and emotionally exhausting job due to the need for 24-hour supervision and continuous care. Our staff is trained to handle these demands so that family members can visit and spend quality time with their loved ones without the pressure of providing for their daily care needs.- Mary Koenig, The Heritage Administrator
Many families choose The Heritage for their loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease of dementia for a number of reasons, including:
- The Heritage's reputation for excellence in Alzheimer’s and dementia care
- its warm, home-like atmosphere
- our private apartments
- financial considerations
The Heritage offers 79 private apartments. Each apartment includes a bedroom, bathroom and living area. Residents furnish their apartments with their own furniture, photos, and personal belongings, which helps to personalize each apartment. Furniture is also available for residents with limited resources.
The Heritage Chapel and its adjacent courtyard provide a wonderful place for quiet reflection for both our residents and their families.
Activities at The Heritage are designed to integrate social, fun and therapeutic interventions.
Daily activities are designed to stimulate the residents physically and mentally, as well as provide opportunities for residents to socialize and enjoy each other’s company.
A typical activities schedule may include:
9:45 a.m. - Rise and Shine
This activity features light stretching and exercise seated in a chair or wheelchair with light hand-held weights or balls. It is alternatively offered in a larger group setting or in a more intimate, unit to unit atmosphere. This activity is extremely valuable as it provides some residents with their only form of exercise, particularly those that are non-ambulatory.
10:30 a.m. - Story Visits
Residents are read short stories and magazine or newspaper articles that are carefully planned to engage residents in discussion while entertaining them. Story subjects are specifically chosen to be uplifting and cheerful, and often feature seasonal or holiday themes. This activity provides the sensation of the joy of reading to residents who are no longer physically able to do so.
2:30 p.m. - Sing Along
Perhaps the most popular, this activity dramatically increases residents’ self-esteem and pride. While short-term memory is problematic for many residents, those same residents have no problem remembering the words and melodies to favorite songs from yesteryear - from American standards and folksongs to inspirational hymns. Usually non-verbal residents often actively participate in “Sing Along.”
4:15 p.m. - In-Style Fashions
This activity improves self-image and fills that universal desire to feel attractive and special. From fashion shows and dress-up fun to sharing beauty secrets and spa-like treatments, the emphasis is on fun and feeling good.
6:30 p.m. - Baking Group
This community activity adds a sense of purpose to the lives of many residents. By following simple recipes, residents not only maintain valuable life skills, but directly contribute their culinary efforts toward snacks and meals for fellow residents.
Monthly activities include birthday celebrations, luncheon or restaurant outings, resident council meetings, pet visits, spiritual sing-alongs, live musical entertainment, special-themed meals, holiday celebrations, cultural events, aromatherapy and therapeutic massage.
Annual activities include a family picnic, fall festival, a visit to the New York State Fair, Lights on the Lake tour, Loretto wreath contest, and holiday celebrations, among others.
Location
The Heritage is located on the Loretto campus at 750 East Brighton Avenue in Syracuse New York, with convenient access to and from New York State Routes 81 and 481 North and South. (View Map)
Meals
All menus at The Heritage are reviewed and approved by a registered dietician. Menu choices are selected by staff in conjunction with The Heritage’s resident council. Menus are professionally provided by AdvancedMeal and prepared with their advanced Cook–Chill system.
Easier to manage “finger food” options are also included on Heritage menus to encourage residents to eat, feed themselves and promote overall proper nutrition.
Breakfast meal* options include:
- French toast or french toast sticks
- Waffles or pancakes (also available in strips)
- Scrambled or hard boiled eggs
- Omelets
- Bacon and sausage
- Assorted cold and hot cereals
- Toast, English muffins
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk and assorted fruit and vegetable juices
Typical lunch menu* items include:
- Assorted soups and cold sandwiches
- Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak sandwiches, chicken nuggets
- Cold plate items (seasonal) – cottage cheese, coleslaw, egg salad, ham salad and tossed salads
- Potato nuggets
- Fresh sliced vegetables
- Fruit in season
- Dessert items – fruit cocktail, puddings, ice cream, Jell-o, cookies and snacks
- Assorted beverages available for all meals
Typical dinner menu* items include:
- Roast turkey with gravy, veal parmesan, beef stroganoff, fried chicken, fried and baked fish
- Chicken or veal patty strips
- Mashed potatoes, french fries, scalloped potatoes and assorted pastas
- Applesauce, corn, peas, coleslaw, beans, broccoli and other assorted vegetables
- Pineapple tidbits
- Carrot sticks and pepper strips
- Dinner rolls and bread
- Dessert items – cakes, pies, cherry crisp, peach cobbler, fresh fruit and assorted ice creams
- Assorted beverages available for all meals
*All menu items available in optional consistencies: regular, ground and pureed.
In addition, we offer “no-added salt” and “no-concentrated sweets” diets. A standard set of healthy alternatives are always available.