Marlene Konopolsky, who runs the Social Work Transitions program on our Westchester campus, provides expert care from the moment patients arrive for heart rehabilitation to three months after they are discharged home. “I’m essentially their care navigator for the next 12 weeks.”

Throughout the global pandemic, the skilled physical, occupational and speech therapists at The New Jewish Home’s Westchester campus, Sarah Neuman delivered excellent rehabilitation care.

Mrs. L., a resident at Sarah Neuman, The New Jewish Home’s Westchester campus, was visited regularly by her husband. “He came religiously every day to help walk with her and care for her,” according to Miriam Levi, Assistant Administrator. “So it ripped him apart when we closed our doors in March because of COVID-19.” But, thanks to a person-directed care model, adopted six years ago by The New Jewish Home, Mr. L. was able to maintain frequent contact with his wife during the pandemic even though he couldn’t visit like he used to.  “The staff worked out a way he could come to a fence in the garden and see her, and he could call every day and be comforted by the fact that he was talking to someone who really knows his wife — her habits, likes and dislikes. That’s a big plus for residents and families.”

Residents and patients at The New Jewish Home have always appreciated chaplaincy visits. During the pandemic, however, these visits evolved to provide deep emotional and spiritual care to meet the needs of our older adult clients. Each year, in conjunction with the Jewish Theological Seminary, The New Jewish Home helps train chaplains by hosting students in our Clinical Pastoral Education Program (CPE). We are one of the few nursing homes in the country to offer training to chaplain interns, and the only one accredited in New York State by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education as a training site for this crucial work.