Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-21-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 20, 2020

As discussed yesterday, the number of cases in New York City are much different than the rest of the state. It seems as though Oneida County has reached a plateau for the amount of cases we are seeing come in positive. The numbers have not dipped significantly as we have been seeing in NYC. This means that the “curve” in upstate New York is a little behind other parts of our state.

The Governor has determined that NYS will plan on re-opening businesses in specific regions of the state as opposed to the entire state at once. New Hartford falls into the Mohawk Valley region, which includes Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schenectady counties. Therefore, we must stay on top of not only our local numbers, but also the surrounding county numbers as we will not open up unless all of us are seeing the same downward spiral in caseloads!

         In addition, starting on April 28 the Governor is allowing elective outpatient surgeries/treatments/procedures in certain counties. In my opinion, you should not set-up these types of procedures unless they are life threatening or life altering situations. However, if you fall into one of these circumstances we recommend you contact your medical provider.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-20-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 20, 2020

First and foremost, I would like to say “thank you” to all of the tenants who have been adhering to our social distancing precautions while outside of their units. Although we are isolated, our community is coming together as one to fight this virus from ever entering our building!

        Just for clarification on planning the “re-opening” of NYS businesses, Sunset Wood will be following guidelines from federal, state, local, Centers for Disease Control, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in order to be certain we are maintaining a safe community. I will be working on coming up with a process as to how we will get back to a “new normal” here at Sunset Wood. In the meantime, we are going to continue thinking of ways to keep you engaged with yourself, as well as your family members as we continue with NY PAUSE.

We are researching how to provide video calls to loved ones but need to get a sense of who would be interested in taking part in one. If you would be interested in doing a video call to a loved one sometime in the future, please call the front office to let us know. If we get enough interest, we may be able to source the equipment needed to provide this service.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-19-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 19, 2020

I would like to assure each and every one of you that your safety is always our #1 priority as part of the Sunset Wood family. When it comes to getting back to COVID-19 related topics, we are seeing the numbers go down state-wide. However, we are continuing to see a rise in positive cases in Oneida County which remains cause for concern.

        New York State officials have created a multi-state coalition with Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware to cohesively re-open businesses in all of these states at the same time. They are following federal recommendations on how to make sure we open the economy while keeping our most vulnerable populations safe.

        As of right now, there have been no dates for when these changes may start to occur. All precautions for senior housing communities must remain the same, but I will be in contact with legislative officials constantly to obtain the information on when this may change.

        I will leave you this Sunday with a quote I found:

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.

-        Christopher Reeve

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-17-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 17, 2020

        I hope you have been enjoying the puzzles, trivia, and goodies that staff have been providing you each day. In addition to getting up to exercise, it is so important that during this isolation, you are training your minds to stay equally as active.

        We highly suggest that you take some time during your day to get up, do an in-home exercise, walk the hallways (by yourself), or walk outside when it gets warmer. In addition, make some time to accomplish a puzzle, participate in our weekly trivia, or pick up a book from the library!

As discussed yesterday, the Governor signed an Executive Order that mandates you to wear a mask anytime you are outside of your unit. These are regulations being handed down to us from higher government, therefore we must stay on top of it.

Our staff is meeting daily (virtually), to discuss what we can be doing in order to provide you with a comfortable environment where you can grow as an individual and we can come together as a community. Helen will be in the Front Office over the weekend if you have any questions – feel free to call her at (315) 733-1389!

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-16-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 16, 2020

        I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news - Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that NY PAUSE will remain in effect through May 15th. This means that all non-essential business functions will remain closed/cancelled until at least that point. Internally, we are regulated to maintain our social distancing precautions including, but not limited to, room-service meals, no internal events, housekeeping on an appointment-base only, etc.

        Although I am not happy about the news, I understand that this decision is what we need in order to keep our community safe & healthy during this pandemic.

         As discussed yesterday, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order which mandates all people wear masks in public spaces. The hallways & lobbies at Sunset Wood are considered public spaces therefore you must wear a mask when outside of your unit. As you can see with this notice, Sunset Wood has provided you with two (2) complimentary masks to utilize if you are coming out of your unit.

Our goal is to keep you safe at all costs while following regulations from our state officials. Although this is all uncharted territory, I appreciate the nice comments from all of you regarding how we are handling the situation.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-15-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 15, 2020

        Now that we have been in isolation for just over 30-days, the big talk in federal, state, and local briefings all surround re-opening businesses. However, this relies on how many testing units are available, the amount of treatments (hydrocholoroquin), and eventually a vaccine. The bad news is that we are a ways out from all of these items, but the good news is that all parties are working hard to reach these goals.

The CEO of our trade organization, LeadingAge who represents non-profit senior living providers across the nation, summed up our community response to this pandemic perfectly:

None of us have ever experienced anything quite like this. And, yet, we adapt. We do what we can to keep ourselves connected while staying apart. We do it all in the name of saving lives. But it’s not easy.

-        Katie Sloan, President & CEO of LeadingAge

Governor Cuomo signed another Executive Order stating that all NYS citizens must wear a mask/face covering when “in public.” Since masks are difficult to come by, I am trying to source some for all of you. My recommendation is that in the meantime if you are going out, wear a scarf, bandana, or any cloth mouth covering. I will keep you all apprised as I learn more.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-14-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 14, 2020

        The news I bring today is regarding the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). If you are a Social Security beneficiary which most, if not all, of you are, expect your stimulus check via direct deposit. You do not have to file any information or take any further action other than to wait!

If you have any questions about how much you may receive in your stimulus check, please call your personal tax accountant as it is based upon your most-recent tax filings.

-        If you filed for 2019, the check will be based upon that year

-        If you did not file yet, the check will be based upon 2018 filing

        Although the COVID-19 spread has been slowing in New York City, Oneida County cases continue to rise at a steady pace. That means it is more important than ever to continue our precautions of not going out unless absolutely necessary. If you must go out, you should be wearing a face mask whether that be cloth, a scarf, N95, or KN95.

Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order stating that all essential employees must wear face masks while in contact with clients. Therefore, if you see a heightened level of staff wearing masks do not be alarmed, this is just policy moving forward.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Sunset Wood COVID-19 Update 4-13-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 13, 2020

        Happy Monday! I hope you all enjoyed yesterday’s complimentary dinner courtesy of the culinary team. In addition, you should have received a special delivery from the “Easter Bunny” this morning!

        The bad news I bring today is regarding the fact that over 10,000 New Yorker’s have passed away from the COVID-19 virus. In addition, Oneida County has surpassed 200 positive cases. The good news is that the rate of spread is slowing, which means that our social distancing precautions are working. However, this means that we should continue our vigilance toward curbing the spread of this pandemic which will be a direct result of your actions.

I cannot say enough, how appreciative our staff is of the positive comments we are receiving – this is what gives us the energy to keep going to provide you all with the safest, most enjoyable living environment possible. We are grateful to have each and every one of you a part of the Sunset Wood family.

Stay safe & healthy,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO

Easter Message from our Chaplain 4-12-2020

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Dear Sunset Wood Family,                                                   April 12, 2020

The Gardener

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). John 20: 15-16

Amid the turmoil in our lives at this time, the world keeps on turning and the seasons keep on evolving. Spring is here! People have been out in their respective gardens tending to the ground, pulling up weeds, allowing the perennials to grow unencumbered, giving room for annuals to be placed alongside and to add to the garden’s beauty.

The rain, soil, and sun are allowing the flowers to be fed as they are beginning to spring forth with their wondrous colors and hues. Our Gardener is doing the same thing with us during this Easter season, especially this one. SPRING is here😊 Rejoice! Our Savior is risen!

Our Gardener is here with us forever creating something beautiful within us. As the song says, “Every morning’s an Easter morning from now on!” and it is! We are the flowers in our Creator’s garden. Each of us unique in our own stunning way.

Each of us add to the exceptional diversity of the garden the Gardener has provided for us. Within our extraordinary existence, we each have a place in this orchard filled with a scenic view that the Architect of our lives has offered to us to revel in, grow in, and multiply in.

Can we not understand the joy that has been afforded to us? Let us take time to sit back and unlock the resurrection of our Provider. What does it mean for us at such a time as this? Shouldn’t our colors be brighter, our hearts be bigger, our lives be more worthy?

Because of the grace of our Lord’s resurrection, shouldn’t we be more prayer filled, joy giving, laughter making people? We are coming through the valley of the shadow of something of our own making and by God’s unending grace we are surviving! We will survive! A

 blight has hit the Gardener’s treasure trove of beauty. Some have died along the way. More flowers are starting to show their stalks through the tilled soil where seeds have fallen. A new beginning, a new start to try and be better, grow stronger to live in the gracious light that is always there and always giving hope to a new day. We are the resurrected people. We are the Easter people. We are the Gardener’s favorites.

He spends so much time with us, pruning, watering, feeding, and watching us mature under His care. Be the beauty, the grace, the wonder, the hope for those that may not quite see to whom they belong. Be the Easter people of the great garden that our Savior has tilled, loved, and adored every second of every day of our lives! AMEN! 

Sunset Wood COVID-19 & Easter Update 4-12-2020

Dear Tenants,                                                          April 12, 2020

        On behalf of our entire Sunset Wood Team, we would like to wish you a Happy Easter Sunday! We are all thinking of each and every one of you today, and wish the best day possible.

        Just as a reminder, you will still be receiving a special dinner tonight courtesy of our culinary team, Mike & Ellie. Tonight’s dinner is complimentary for all tenants, meaning that it will not count against any meals for the Penthouse side of the building. Everyone will receive this special meal so there is no need to call down to the kitchen unless you have a special request.

This year is different for all of us at home as well, but in the meantime we are going to continue our social distancing precautions in order to keep you family, friends, and all of YOU safe & healthy.

I found a quote that is very fitting for when this pandemic is over, because it is truly not about getting back to “normal,” but moving toward a “new normal” instead.

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.

-        S.D. Gordon

Happy Easter,

Dominick M. Manfredo

Executive Director / CEO