Category: McPeak's Assisted Living

James McPeak, Owner, McPeak’s Assisted Living, is reminding everyone that February 17 is National Caregivers Day and is urging everyone to thank those who take care of our elderly and infirm family members every day and recognize them for the hard work they do.

National Caregivers Day, which is held on the third Friday in February every year, honors these healthcare professionals who give their time and energy providing care to those who may require long-term care. Expert caregivers are trained to provide services around the clock in safe environments; this allows the family members to focus on the loved one’s healing process.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), there are 53 million caregivers nationwide. Of that number, 19% are unpaid. However, many of the paid caregivers wind up leaving their jobs. The National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP poll found that 23% of the healthcare professionals experienced a decline in their health. Other reasons why they quit, according to Sandata, include poor communication, long hours, lack of recognition, long commutes, poor training and low pay.

“On this day, we should take time out and recognize those who take care of our loved ones when we aren’t able to,” Mr. McPeak says. “Their job is a demanding job and many of them work through the day without receiving even as much as a ‘thank you.’ On February 17, let’s take some time to show our heartfelt gratitude for them and the work they do.”

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

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About McPeak’s Assisted Living

Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at a reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is our community’s responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable homelike setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone. A trained staff handles supervision for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided.

[Patchogue, New York] — When the state announced a special program in which healthcare employees will receive bonuses for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Empire State Association for Assisted Living (ESAAL) noticed that those who worked at privately run assisted living facilities will be ineligible. Now, they are calling on the state to include them in the program. James McPeak, Owner, McPeak’s Assisted Living, says he is taking up ESAAL’s stance, arguing that assisted living facility employees have worked just as hard as those employed at hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, and were absolutely essential in keeping many more of the elderly and infirm out of hospitals and alive throughout the pandemic.

On August 3, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the allocation of $1.3 billion for the program, which is being included in the 2023 state budget. The money will be used to recruit and retain certain healthcare and mental hygiene workers in an effort to increase the state’s healthcare workforce by 20% over a five-year period. Based on the number of hours worked during a consecutive six-month period, employees can earn bonuses of up to $3,000. Only those who earn less than $125,000 a year (not including other bonuses or overtime pay) are eligible.

Mr. McPeak says that, when the COVID-19 lockdown took place in 2020, the employees followed protocols that were mandated by the state Health Department and constantly communicated with each other throughout the pandemic while safeguarding the residents’ health and safety. Their efforts were recognized by ESAAL. “The staff at McPeak’s worked tirelessly and courageously throughout COVID,” he says. “This program epitomizes the disregard that our government ignores about affordable private-pay adult homes.”

Because McPeak’s is a private-pay facility, they do not accept Medicaid recipients, thereby making their employees ineligible for the bonus program. Mr. McPeak says he is always told that assisted living facilities like his are flush with cash, but that is not the case. “We are hurting just like most other small businesses,” he says. “We, and our residents, cannot sustain the increased cost of doing business in a state that continues to ignore us while providing relief to other healthcare settings. This is patently unfair.”

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

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About McPeak’s Assisted Living

Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at a reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is our community’s responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable homelike setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone. A trained staff handles supervision for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided.

First Sunday after Labor Day Celebrated as National Grandparents Day

[Patchogue, New York] — Sunday, September 11 — the first Sunday after Labor Day — will mark National Grandparents Day, a special day to honor the families’ elders and celebrate the familial bonds between the young and old. The holiday’s beginnings can be traced back to 1956 — the same year that McPeak’s Assisted Living was founded.

Back then, Marian McQuade, a West Virginia resident, was helping put together a celebration for seniors over the age of 80 when she noticed that the local nursing home residents were alone and had no one to visit them. From there, she sought to establish a holiday for all grandparents and those seniors who may have been forgotten by their families.

In 1973, West Virginia became the first state to establish Grandparents Day. Five years later, Congress passed a bill declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day to be Grandparents Day. The bill was signed into law by then-President Jimmy Carter.

As the population has aged, National Grandparents Day has grown in importance as more seniors become grandparents. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), there are 70 million grandparents in the U.S., an increase of 24% since 2001. The Legacy Project estimated that, in 2020, the number increased to 80 million, with 75,000 older adults ages 49-65 becoming grandparents this month.   

When the pandemic spread across the U.S., assisted living facilities were on lockdown and families were not allowed to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Now that the infection rate has dropped significantly, New York State has loosened its requirements. McPeak’s also lifted most of its restrictions; however, the facility still requires temperature checks at the front desk, scheduling visits in advance, and wearing a mask when walking through the facility. For more information regarding visits at McPeak’s, go to https://www.mcpeaks.com/covid-19-visitation-policy.

“The pandemic and social restrictions were hard on everyone but most difficult for our seniors who were most at risk for serious infection and often self-isolation,” says James McPeak, Owner, McPeak’s Assisted Living. “There’s no better time than this year to fully embrace National Grandparents Day and spend time with our grandparents.”

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

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About McPeak’s Assisted Living

Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is our community responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable homelike setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone. A trained staff handles supervision for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided.

[Patchogue, New York] — On January 26, McPeak’s Assisted Living hosted a vaccination clinic for its residents. Representatives from CVS came to administer shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to protect residents from being infected with the virus.

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

Honored during National Assisted Living Week

Patchogue, NY— McPeak’s Assisted Living has announced that Jennifer Turner, Assistant Administrator/Case Manager, received the 2020 All-Star Staff Award from the Empire State Association of Assisted Living. The award is given to those heroes in the assisted living community who often accomplish the seemingly impossible or are always there when they are needed the most.

Ms. Turner consistently communicated with McPeak’s staff members every step of the way during the COVID-19 pandemic. She alerted the staff of the latest guidelines from the New York State Department of Health and made sure McPeak’s followed the mandated protocols and new procedures in order to safeguard the health of the staff and its residents.

Ms. Turner joined McPeak’s in 2003 as a Receptionist. In 2006, she met the qualifications required by the New York State Health Department to become a Case Manager. A resident of Bay Shore, she earned her Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Briarcliffe College and her Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from Empire State College.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Ms. Turner said. “It is nice to be recognized for the hard work that has been put in to make sure the McPeak’s continues to make the health and safety of its residents and staff its top priority.”

“We congratulate Jennifer upon receiving this award,” Mr. McPeak said. “Because of her constant communication with the staff on the latest safety protocols, McPeak’s has been COVID-free since June. Her obsession with disease prevention benefits the residents and the staff every day.”

The awards were presented in conjunction with National Assisted Living Week. Established by the National Center for Assisted Living^® (NCAL) in 1995, National Assisted Living Week recognizes the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. This weeklong celebration inspires assisted living communities around the country to offer various events and activities to celebrate the residents they serve, as well as educate the public about assisted living,

For more information on McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

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* Photo is attached.

About McPeak’s Assisted Living

Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is a community responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents.  Residents live in a comfortable home-like setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities.  Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone.  Supervision is handled by a trained staff for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided.

[Patchogue, New York] — McPeak’s Assisted Living is urging families to make this Grandparents Day special by visiting their loved ones living in assisted living facilities. The recent state Health Department rules are now allowing visitation at assisted living facilities once again, meaning residents will be able to see their families.

Grandparents Day, which takes place on September 13, honors the families’ elders and celebrates the familial bonds between the young and old. The holiday’s beginnings can be traced back to 1956 — the same year that McPeak’s was founded. Marian McQuade, a West Virginia resident, was helping put together a celebration for seniors over the age of 80 when she noticed that the local nursing home residents were alone and had no one to visit them. From there, she sought to establish a holiday for all grandparents and those seniors who may have been forgotten by their families.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic saw assisted living facilities prohibiting families from visiting their loved ones. Many residents experienced loneliness, isolation and depression as a result. But on July 15, 2020, the New York State Health Department allowed visitors inside and outside the facility, but with strict guidelines. Among them, facilities cannot have any new coronavirus cases within a 28-day period and must complete and pass inspections of their infection control practices. Meanwhile, visitors must provide their contact information upon checking in, undergo a temperature check, wear a mask and practice social distancing. Residents will be allowed no more than two visitors at a time, and at least one of the visitors must be 18 years of age or older.

“We urge everyone to spend time with their grandparents on this special day, but stay safe while doing so,” says James McPeak, Owner, McPeak’s Assisted Living. “Grandparents Day has more of a special meaning this year.”

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.

 

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About McPeak’s Assisted Living

Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak’s is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is our community responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable homelike setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone. A trained staff handles supervision for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided.

[Patchogue, New York] — Three residents at McPeak’s Assisted Living — Catherine Graffelner, Edith Sabella and Caroline Mott — were named finalists in this year’s “Art from the Heart” painting contest, which is run by the Foundation for Quality Care.

The residents submitted their artwork in June, and their submissions were reviewed by an independent panel of judges. From there, the panel chose 13 different paintings to be used in the 2020 calendar. A copy of each calendar will be distributed to the artists, their families, New York State Health Facilities Association, Inc./New York State Center for Assisted Living (NYSHFA/NYSCAL) member facilities, state lawmakers, and government officials.

Last year, Patrick Thomas was one of the residents whose artwork was chosen for the 2019 calendar. Fellow resident Dorothy Alloy was runner-up in the contest.

“McPeak’s Assisted Living offers residents a variety of activities to let them express their creative side,” says James McPeak, Owner of McPeak’s Assisted Living. “We’re excited to have our residents honored in such a special way.”

For more information about McPeak’s Assisted Living, call (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com.