The Sullivan County Adult Care Center

 

Julie Dreher, Marketing Outreach Coordinator for the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, was our guest speaker at the March 15th meeting.

Ms Dreher began by showing a narrated Powerpoint® slide presentation about the history of the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. Sullivan County has a long history of caring for it's residents. A new chapter in that history began in 1955 with the acquistion of the former “Workman's Circle Sanitarium”. Sullivan County purchased the property for $170,000 and invested an additional $403,000 in a major restoration of the Workman's Circle building. The building reopened in 1957 as the Sullivan County Home and Infirmary. The new home was welcomed by the community which saw the benefit of having a county facility dedicated to caring for the needs of it's elderly and chronically ill. The home became an integral part of the community and for many years was referred to as simply, “The Infirmary”. The facility built a reputation for quality care in a homelike atmosphere.

 

 

In 1988, after decades at the original location, construction began at the current “Lakeside” site and was completed in 1992. On May 5th 1992, the facility was officially renamed the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. The new facility could accommodate 160 residents and boasted bright and spacious rooms, many with lake views. The new S.C. Adult Care Center continued the tradition of caring for it's residents in a welcoming and theraupeutic environment.

In 2012, thanks to the efforts of county legislators and employees, a $1.1 million H.E.A.L. Grant was secured for renovations to the Adult Care Center. Responding to the needs of the community a short-term rehabilitation unit was designed as well as a Memory Care Unit. A ribbon cutting was held in May 2014 to unveil a beautiful remodeled lobby as well as these new units.

The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurances. The memory care unit is the first of it's kind in Sullivan County. The unit is dedicated to the needs of residents with dementia. Employees on the unit have received training from the Alzheimers Association to better help them meet the needs of their residents. The unit has a cheerful dining area and an enclosed patio. The unit is secure. Providing families with peace of mind. S.C.A.C.C. is a music and memory certified facility.

The facility continues to provide traditional long-term skilled nursing care, but can also provide short-term respite stays to relieve overwhelmed caregivers.

Activities are an integral part of life for the residents at the facility:

  • Performers from the community entertain the residents.

  • Regular parties and holiday celebrations are the norm.

  • Pet visits are a common and much anticipated activity.

Ms. Dreher said that the presentation was just an indication of where the facility has come from and where it is today. “We're county owned and county operated”, said Julie, “We belong to the county and we belong to this community and you need to know we're there for you”.

There was a brief question and answer period. Ms Dreher's presentation was informative and well received.

Informational pamphlets and a small gift were placed at each table setting by Ms. Dreher.