Fishkill, N.Y. (Sept. 6, 2012) – Elant, the Hudson Valley’s premier provider of senior health care and housing solutions, was awarded the 2012 Innovation of the Year award from LeadingAge New York for a creative new program developed at the Elant at Fishkill campus. LeadingAge NY represents not-for-profit, mission-driven and public continuing care providers, including nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and community service providers.
The award, which was announced during a presentation on Sept. 4, recognizes programs with vision and creativity that promote care and services to the elderly. Patrick Cucinelli, Senior Director of Public Policy Solutions of LeadingAge NY, presented the Innovation of the Year award on behalf of the organization.
“This award is truly about creative ways of making life better for seniors and acknowledging those efforts, and I am extremely impressed with the program Elant at Fishkill has implemented,” said Cucinelli. “It is evident that their efforts have truly made Elant a more lively and warm place to both live and visit, and we are so pleased to honor and celebrate this accomplishment.”
Elant at Fishkill received the honor for their program titled “Scouts Honor,” which brings young people, specifically Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, together with residents through various projects carried out on the campus. The program was developed by Pat Roza, Activities Director, and Catharine Tomlins, Performance Improvement Director, and has included several projects which have added many new features to the campus, including a koi pond and waterfall, outdoor gardens, and events such as camporees and arts and crafts.
“The program began rather organically, with a mutual need for both Scout projects and improvements here at our campus,” explained Roza. “Such a simple concept has enriched the lives of our residents and the young people involved, and has built a truly intergenerational community. Individuals with so many years difference between them have learned from one another and found more in common than they ever thought possible. We are so thankful to our volunteers for their time and passion, as well as LeadingAge NY for recognizing this effort. We look forward to furthering Scouts Honor for many years to come.”
For more information regarding the Scouts Honor program, contact Elant at Fishkill at 845-831-8704 or pusifer@elant.org.
ABOUT LEADINGAGE NEW YORK
Founded in 1961, LeadingAge New York, formerly the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA), represents not-for-profit, mission-driven and public continuing care providers, including nursing homes, senior housing, adult care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and community service providers. LeadingAge New York’s members employ 150,000 professionals serving more than 500,000 New Yorkers annually.
ABOUT ELANT
Elant is a comprehensive health care system that serves the needs of more than 3,500 individuals throughout the Hudson Valley region. The organization includes seven campuses and employs more than 1,200 dedicated individuals. Elant provides a full continuum of care, including Sub-Acute Care and Rehabilitation Services, Skilled Nursing Care, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care, Retirement Community Living, Home Health Care and a Managed Long Term Care Plan.
