RECOVERING LIKE A NEW YORKERRecovering like a New Yorker and other stories of The New Jewish Home fighting COVID-19. The New Jewish Home reflects the diversity and strength of New York City. During this challenging time, these inspiring stories of recovery and resilience are a source of hope.
COVID-19 is not Rosalie Gordon’s first epidemic. She was just 5 ½ years old when she got polio, six months before the vaccine arrived. Paralyzed from the chest down, she endured four surgeries between the ages of 10 and 12, happily regaining the use of her legs. These days, Rosalie uses a wheelchair to get around.
Her name is Elvira, but loved ones call her Vera. A talented woman who raised two daughters in the Bronx, New York with deep faith and willpower, her strength has helped her conquer many obstacles. Recently, her daughters and friends have been awed by her ability to overcome illness, including COVID-19.
At The New Jewish Home, keeping a steady supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock is always important. Long before most of us had given much thought to masks, gowns, and gloves, Michael Jurist — vice president of facilities and material management — and his team made sure we had enough PPE on hand to keep our staff, residents and patients safe.
Each morning, Zoila O’Keefe loads her car with enough PPE (personal protective equipment) — masks, gloves, gowns — to protect herself and her patients throughout the day. She’s a home care nurse who sees between five and six patients daily in Westchester County, the Bronx, and Manhattan. These days, two or three of those visits are to COVID-19 survivors recovering at home after hospital stays.
Throughout New York City, a network of small DIY manufacturers have been stepping up to help solve the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage. They are sewing masks, building protective gear, and fabricating medical equipment needed to fight the spread of Covid-19.
A chance encounter with a resident during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis gave Dr. Daniel Gaballa the confidence to navigate in a challenging environment.
Birthdays are a highlight of life at The New Jewish Home. Visits from family members who come to celebrate with residents infuse energy into the entire facility. Even during the […]
While she was ill with COVID-19, Elizabeth Carroll was too weak to call her beloved daughters on her own. And her daughter Louise was filled with concern about Elizabeth’s health. Thanks to thoughtful staff members who took the time to help them FaceTime, mother and daughter were able to connect, easing their anxiety at the most stressful time.
Ruth Robbins, a Holocaust survivor and Manhattan resident who survived a diagnosis of COVID-19, has found The New Jewish Home to be a safe and welcoming place to recover. “I’m lucky to be here,” she said.