News
Check up on news, special events and more!
independent senior living utica ny
December is the BEST time to take a tour of our community because you get to see what Santa’s Elves put together for this year’s decorations .
Check out pictures of our 12-foot Christmas tree, the REAL garland & wreaths, as well as our elegant Great Room which gives you the magic feeling of the holidays.
We hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed decorating!
NEW HARTFORD, NY – LeadingAge NY, the premier association representing not-for-profit and public senior independent living, continuing care retirement communities, adult care facilities, and affordable housing providers for older adults, has appointed Dominick Manfredo to its esteemed Board of Directors. With Dominick's extensive experience and passion for senior care, his addition to the board promises to enhance the organization's commitment to advancing the quality of life for older adults across the state.
Dominick M. Manfredo, Executive Director / CEO, The Community at Sunset Wood
Dominick is widely recognized as a seasoned leader in the senior care industry, with a remarkable track record of fostering innovation, implementing cutting edge wellness programs, and driving positive change within the sector. As a member of the LeadingAge NY Board of Directors, Dominick will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to guide the organization's strategic initiatives, advocacy efforts, and policy development.
As a member of the LeadingAge NY Board of Directors, Dominick will actively contribute to the organization's initiatives aimed at advancing senior care, expanding access to housing, and improving the overall quality of life for older adults in the state. His commitment to fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders and promoting best practices will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping the future of senior care in New York.
"I am honored and humbled to join the LeadingAge NY Board of Directors," said Manfredo. "I have long admired the organization's dedication to empowering older adults and supporting the professionals who care for them. I am excited to work alongside esteemed colleagues on the board and contribute to the collective effort of enhancing the lives of older adults throughout the state. Together, we will strive to make a positive impact and drive innovation in senior care."
About The Community at Sunset Wood
The Community at Sunset Wood’s mission is to enable seniors to live independently in a secure community that enhances the quality of life. We do this by providing below market rate and market rate senior housing that is, on average, much cheaper than our nearest competitor. In addition, we pride ourselves in promoting our “Aging-In-Place” model, which encourages our tenants to utilize and/or bring in services that can keep them independent in their own homes rather than moving to nursing care. For more information on our community, please visit www.sunsetwood.org or call 315-733-1389.
About LeadingAge NY
LeadingAge NY is the only statewide association representing the entire continuum of not-for-profit, mission-driven, and public continuing care, including retirement communities, adult care facilities, assisted living, and home care services. LeadingAge NY advocates for quality services, promotes innovative practices, and fosters collaboration among its members to ensure that older New Yorkers enjoy a full range of services and options as they age.
December is the BEST time to take a tour of our community because you get to see what Santa’s Elves put together for this year’s decorations .
Check out pictures of our 12-foot Christmas tree, the REAL garland & wreaths, as well as our elegant PUB which gives you the magic feeling of the holidays.
We hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed decorating!
UTICA, NY – The Community at Sunset Wood and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York have partnered to continue supplying seniors with Google Smart Home technology as demand rises to keep them engaged throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The $10,000 investment from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York will build upon Sunset Wood’s momentum for their Google Nest Hub Max Smart Display program, by funding Phase 2. Sign-ups for Phase 1 of the program filled within 24 hours with seniors eager to learn how to utilize this smart display technology to play YouTube videos, watch old television program favorites, and video chat with family and friends.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected senior citizens the most as they have been isolating to remain safe for over one year. The goal of implementing these devices is to provide seniors with social benefits like video chatting with loved ones or listening to music, and also for aging-in-place initiatives like setting reminders for medication administration or controlling utilities within their homes.
“The demand for these devices was surprisingly overwhelming,” said Dominick Manfredo, CEO of The Community at Sunset Wood. “We are so grateful to the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York for recognizing the importance of this technology when it comes to seniors aging-in-place, and helping with social isolation during the pandemic. Their grant will go directly toward getting devices into the hands of seniors who have been on our Google Smart Display waiting list for a few months now, so they will be able to enjoy the many benefits that these devices have to offer.”
“Social isolation and loneliness are serious risks for many older adults, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it more challenging for us to address these issues,” said Nora Obrien-Suric, Ph.D., President of the Health Foundation. “We applaud The Community at Sunset Wood team for taking an innovative approach to improving the lives of their tenants. This technology will help older adults feel connected with their loved ones and friends while staying safe at home.”
To study how seniors interact with these smart devices, as well as their perception of how these devices can keep them independent, The Community at Sunset Wood has partnered with the Ph.D. program in Business Administration and Department of Marketing and Professional Sales at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. A longitudinal research study will collect data from seniors before they have even touched their Google smart devices, three months after receiving them, and six months after utilizing the devices. The aggregate data will be used to study how seniors perceive smart devices like these, and how their attitudes change over time after using the devices.
“We’re very excited to have partnered with Sunset Wood on this research study and to have the opportunity to understand how seniors engage with smart technology over time,” said Kate Nicewicz, Ph.D. candidate in marketing at Kennesaw State University. “This will give us valuable insight on what influences, or deters from, device utilization among seniors.”
Dr. Mona Sinha, associate professor of marketing at Kennesaw State University and chair of Kate Nicewicz’s dissertation committee, said, “I am so proud that Kate is using her doctoral training and her research interest on smart devices to make a positive impact on society especially for this segment of the population that is especially vulnerable. The opportunity that Dominick Manfredo and The Community at Sunset Wood has provided, not just for their tenants but also for us as a business school to give back to society, is greatly appreciated.”
To learn more about this project, visit sunsetwood.org/google-smart-display-program.
The Community at Sunset Wood’s mission is to enable seniors to live independently in a secure community that enhances the quality of life. We do this by providing below market rate and market rate senior housing that is on average, much cheaper than our nearest competitor. In addition, we pride ourselves in promoting our “Aging-In-Place” model which encourages our tenants to utilize and/or bring in services that can keep them independent in their own home rather than moving to nursing care— in this case, smart home technology. For more information on our community please visit www.sunsetwood.org or call 315-733-1389.
###
“This is not just another finish line. It is a movement for the health and well-being of us all” - American Heart Association. We would like to say thank you to all the tenants and family members at The Community at Sunset Wood who donated $870 and counting to the American Heart Association. #americanheartassociation #heartrunandwalk2021 #olderadultfitness
The Community at Sunset Wood has partnered with Divine Development & Leadership Group LLC President and Founder, Rev. Carol D. Jubenville to start a new exercise program called "Pound Your Way to Fitness," a senior-friendly version of the popular POUND classes. Pound-style classes are a form of group fitness that adds drumming to traditional cardio and strength moves. This type of drumming class is widely known for helping the mind and body work together to improve cognitive function while participating in a music-driven social atmosphere.
Divine Development & Leadership Group has generously sponsored the start-up of this program by purchasing the equipment necessary for the class to take place. As a company who feels it is important to advocate for senior independence both physically and spiritually, Rev. Jubenville is excited to be a part of this new start up program in conjunction with The Community at Sunset Wood and their mission to encourage and enhance independence throughout one’s lifetime. Drumming inspired classes have been proven to lower stress levels, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and combat chronic pain, anxiety, and fatigue. In addition, it is a way that senior citizens can improve motor skills through rhythm, timing and coordination.
To learn more about this project, visit https://www.sunsetwood.org/news/2021/2/16/drumming-fitness-class
The Community at Sunset Wood’s mission is to enable seniors to live independently in a secure community that enhances the quality of life. We do this by providing below market rate and market rate senior housing that is on average, much cheaper than our nearest competitor. In addition, we pride ourselves in promoting our “Aging-In-Place” model which encourages our tenants to utilize and/or bring in services that can keep them independent in their own home rather than moving to nursing care— in this case, smart home technology. For more information on our community please visit www.sunsetwood.org or call 315-733-1389.
###
For Immediate Release
1/12/2020
Community Foundation Contact: The Community at Sunset Wood Contact:
Kayla Ellis, Public Relations Manager Dominick M. Manfredo, Executive Director/CEO
kellis@foundationhoc.org dmanfredo@sunsetwood.org
315-542-4796 315-733-1389
Local Senior Living Community Implementing Google Technology to Help Tenants Age in Place and Avoid Social Isolation
UTICA, NY – The Community at Sunset Wood and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties have recently partnered to make an impact in the community to provide Google devices to seniors that will help them to “age in place” and enjoy social programs during a time when in-person and face-to-face gatherings are limited.
The $4,000 investment from the Faxton Street Home Fund of The Community Foundation will assist with the purchase of Google Nest Hub Max Smart Displays. Especially during COVID-19 lockdowns, senior citizens feel more isolated than ever now that family and friends are unable to visit. By providing these devices, tenants will be able to video chat with loved ones, set reminders for medication administration and appointments, or even listen to their favorite music to help ease the stress during this time of uncertainty.
“We are so grateful to The Community Foundation for supporting our vision for this state-of-the-art technology program,” said Dominick Manfredo, CEO of The Community at Sunset Wood. “This is the type of high-end technology that is being implemented in bigger markets like New York City and Los Angeles, so to start something like this in Upstate New York takes a lot of innovation and intuition which both of our organizations have. We look forward to bringing our tenants into a new era of senior living.”
“It’s projects like this one that are not only getting creative in response to changing needs that the pandemic has presented but are simultaneously moving our community forward in ways we never even thought of,” said Jan Squadrito, senior community investment manager at The Community Foundation. “We are proud to be a part of this project and excited for the tenants that will get to make use of this new technology.”
To learn more about this project, visit sunsetwood.org/google-smart-display-program.
The Community at Sunset Wood’s mission is to enable seniors to live independently in a secure community that enhances the quality of life. We do this by providing below market rate and market rate senior housing that is on average, much cheaper than our nearest competitor. In addition, we pride ourselves in promoting our “Aging-In-Place” model which encourages our tenants to utilize and/or bring in services that can keep them independent in their own home rather than moving to nursing care— in this case, smart home technology. For more information on our community please visit www.sunsetwood.org or call 315-733-1389.
Founded in 1952, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties envisions a vibrant region with opportunity for all. In fulfillment of its “Engage. Invest. Lead” mission, The Community Foundation has transformed decades of donor generosity into $90 million invested in social impact initiatives, collaborative leadership and grantmaking. Find out more at foundationhoc.org or call 315-735-8212.
###
SUNSET WOOD TENANTS DONATE 149 LBS OF FOOD TO VETERANS OUTREACH CENTER
This holiday season, as a way to give thanks for our blessings and provide food to those in-need, The Community at Sunset Wood tenants ran a food drive that benefited the Veteran's Outreach Center in Utica.
The food drive collected 149 lbs. of non-perishable goods that can be used during the holiday season. In addition, the Sunset Wood Chaplain blessed the food at our socially distanced Thanksgiving communion service on November 24th.
On behalf of all the tenants and staff at Sunset Wood, we urge you to give a little more this holiday season and be safe!
How much water should our seniors be drinking each and every day? It sounds like a simple question, but in reality it’s not so easy to fulfill!
Let’s start off with some facts surrounding the health benefits of drinking enough water. Well, water makes up a majority of your body weight. It is involved in many different functions like flushing waste from your body, regulating your temperature, and even helping your brain function! Water helps form saliva and mucus - saliva will help you digest your food and keep your nose, mouth, and eyes moist, which is very much needed because everyone has experienced dry sinuses and it’s a horrible feeling. Water will also improve your skin health. When you are dehydrated, your skin becomes more vulnerable to damage than if your skin was hydrated. I believe your skin is like a plant - you will always need to water a plant to look beautiful and healthy; well, it is the same way for your skin. Studies have also shown that "just losing 2% of your body weight in fluid can decrease performance by up to 25%. Whether you are an athlete, someone that works out regularly, or a weekend warrior." www.webmd.com Drinking water will genuinely save your body in many aspects.
Now we know all the benefits of drinking water, but the question still is, how much should I drink daily? Well, according to the (mayoclinic.org), "Drinking eight 8- ounce glasses of water a day" is the best way to remember and reach your water-drinking goal. So how do you drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day? Try sipping on some water before every meal; you can add some flavor to your water by squeezing fresh fruits and herbs in. The longer you infuse your water, the better it will taste. When you are in one of those modes when you need something fizzy to drink, try drinking some flavored seltzer water to help get rid of that feeling of needing soda. Also, maybe reward yourself for drinking water and make it a goal every day to get yourself a sweet drink or something from Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. There are many ways to make it competitive or fun to drink water.
As in saying that, drinking water helps you prevent dehydration. The definition of dehydration is "when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions." (MayoClinic.org) Studies have also shown that some dehydration symptoms are "feeling very thirsty, dry mouth, dark-colored pee, dry skin, feeling tired, and dizziness." So if you feel any of the symptoms, It is the best time to start drinking water and make sure your body has everything you need to function and feel better about yourself. Make water an option to drink and making it a goal for yourself every day is a great way to better yourself.
Article Written by Kendall X. Hicks II, Wellness Coordinator with The Community at Sunset Wood
Citations
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/water-for-exercise-fitness#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
