1. Resident Safety
Due to the needs of our residents, safety is a primary concern at The Heritage. Safety checks are conducted by resident aides every two hours, 24 hours each day of the week. The aides are responsible for checking each and every resident and documenting their whereabouts and status.
In addition, residents who are at risk for leaving the building wear a Wanderguard bracelet. The bracelet electronically locks the front and back doors when the resident comes within a certain distance of the door. This system allows our residents the freedom to explore the building and not be confined to any one unit or floor.
Specializing in the care of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, early dementia or memory loss, Loretto’s The Heritage offers three residential programs based on the level of assistance needed. All programs at The Heritage are licensed and regulated by the New York State Department of Health.
Heritage programs also feature a combination of activities specially created to stimulate and engage the minds of residents affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia. They include:
- Cognitive activities, such as trivia games or question and answer dialogue sessions stimulated by photographs
- Physical activities to increase circulation and oxygen flow to the brain
- Social activities to encourage conversation and social interaction
- Sensory activities, such as aromatherapy, to stimulate memory associations
Enriched Housing Program – In this program, residents receive:
- daily meals and snacks
- assistance with personal care
- medication management
- daily recreational activities geared for those with memory impairments
- laundry and housekeeping service
- Wanderguard security protection
- case management services
- general health supervision
- scheduled transportation and escort assistance
Assisted Living Program – This program is for medically stable individuals who qualify for nursing home level of care and are eligible for Medicaid. In addition to the standard services listed above through our Enriched Housing Program, the Assisted Living Program at The Heritage also provides:
- safety checks
- escorts to meals
- glucose monitoring
- assistance with oxygen therapy
- bathroom (toileting) assistance
Short-Term or Respite Stay Program - This program is available to individuals who need a temporary living setting with support services, such as immediately after a hospital stay, or while family members or caregivers are away. Short-Term or Respite Stay Program services at The Heritage include:
- assistance with the activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, medication assistance and personal hygiene
- three meals and nutritional snack served daily, with optional entrees available for those with special diets
- a supportive staff of health-care professionals on-site and available 24 hours a day.
- daily bed-making, laundry and housekeeping, monitoring and emergency response
- scheduled transportation
3. Family and Caregiver Support
The Heritage’s resident service coordinator meets with each prospective resident and their family prior to admission, so that families can communicate their loved-one’s history and verbalize their concerns. Heritage staff then has a clear understanding of the needs and priorities of each resident and family.
Our resident service coordinator is available to families for support, as well as for assistance with benefits and services. A family meeting is arranged within 30 days after admission to discuss the resident’s care plan and any concerns on the part of either family or staff. Our social worker then continues to be available to assist with any questions or concerns, including those regarding healthcare benefits.
In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association sponsors a monthly support group meeting for caregivers that is facilitated by staff from Loretto The Heritage and PACE CNY (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) that is free and open to the community.
The Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers support group at Loretto meets:- The second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
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Ivy Conference Room of PACE CNY II
(located just behind The Heritage on Loretto’s main campus at 700 East Brighton Avenue, Syracuse, NY)
For more information, contact The Heritage at (315) 492-1329. For additional local Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver support groups, call 1-800-272-3900 or log on towww.alzcny.org
4. Costs and Payment Options
The cost of services provided at The Heritage is dependent upon the level of care required. The Heritage serves the needs of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia from all levels of income. Residence in Loretto’s senior housing at The Heritage can be paid through private funds, private insurance or by Medicaid, for those who qualify.
For information about costs and payment options, contact a Loretto Admissions Office Representative at (315) 492-1329.