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Jennifer Turner Receives 2020 All-Star Staff Award

Jennifer Turner and James McPeak — Jennifer Turner (left), Assistant Administrator/Case Manager, McPeak’s Assisted Living, poses with the 2020 All-Star Staff Award that she received from the Empire State Association of Assisted Living. She is joined by James McPeak (right), Administrator, McPeak’s.

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.

September 13 is National Grandparents Day

This coming Sunday is National Grandparents Day. Now is a good time to finally visit your loved ones, especially those who are in assisted living facilities.

National Grandparents Day 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.

On July 15, 2020, the New York State Health Department allowed visitors inside and outside assisted living facilities, but with strict guidelines. Among them:

facilities cannot have any new coronavirus cases within a 28-day period
facilities must complete and pass inspections of their infection control practices
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
at least one of the visitors must be 18 years of age or older (those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult)

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the shutdown of health facilities throughout New York, leaving residents with loneliness, isolation and depression. A visit on their special day would definitely make them feel better.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

Residents Must Still Protect Themselves from COVID-19

Although New York State has “flattened the curve” and has seen a drop in coronavirus cases, that does not mean we are out of the woods yet. Senior citizens, especially those who reside in assisted living facilities, must still remain vigilant when it comes to protecting their health and preventing the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Continue reading “Residents Must Still Protect Themselves from COVID-19”

Using Technology to Stay in Touch with Your Senior Loved Ones

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, New York State executive orders currently require people to stay at least six feet away from each other and wear protective face masks when going out and when social distancing cannot be maintained. Unfortunately, there is no visiting at this time since the elderly are the most susceptible to the coronavirus.

Continue reading “Using Technology to Stay in Touch with Your Senior Loved Ones”

Coronavirus Cases in NY Expected to Peak Within Next Week

According to official estimates, the number of new coronavirus infections in New York are expected to peak at some point within the next week. While this doesn’t signal the end of the coronavirus infections, it does mean that New York may be able to begin relaxing some of the coronavirus-related restrictions over the next few weeks. This would allow life in New York to return to relative normalcy after the strife caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading “Coronavirus Cases in NY Expected to Peak Within Next Week”