Teaser: Nursing homes, Dresser-Rand, and the Association for the Blind
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
In last week’s Wrambling’s I mentioned a couple of Wellsville facilities that housed people that required assistance whether it be “nursing” or just “living accommodations.” Blaming my lack of knowledge or failure to thoroughly research the topic, I was properly “schooled” by those with a better grip on the differences of the two facilities that I unknowingly alluded to. I had previously been chastised by a reader for using the term “Nursing Home” inappropriately. She had responded to my invite for comments or concerns and contacted me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com. She said: “I will say the term for The Wellsville Manor Care Center (WMCC) is then an SNF, skilled nursing facility. It is not an assisted living facility. Manor Hills is an assisted living facility. They are not at all alike. It just is amazing to me when most people around still don’t realize there are two different facilities out there which provide two different types of care.”
The two facilities I alluded to and clumsily mentioned last week are more appropriately named: Manor Hills and Wellsville Manor Care Center. I suppose, somewhat adding to the confusion between the two is their proximity in that they are both located on the north side of the old airport access road. As a potential future topic, the old airport was named Crowner Airport as noted by Willis Shutt in a presentation to the Thelma Rogers Genealogical And Historical Society in Wellsville a few years ago. The airport was the site of the first airmail pickup in Wellsville in 1938.
In researching the two above named facilities, I visited each of their online sites and tried to come up with the words that appropriately explained the differences between them, and to help myself and others learn which was which, and, where to reach out if in need of those services either for themselves, or others who may be in their own care. Pouring through the literature of each facility, initially the differences were quite clear. The Manor Hills was an “assisted living facility” and the Wellsville Manor Care Center more closely resembled what is typically referred to as a “nursing home.” Seeking to offer a little more insight as to the services offered by each facility, the lines of demarcation became a little fuzzy to me as each facility offers services very similar to the other.
Manor Hills, is a “Senior Living Community”, formally a part of the Willow Ridge Senior Living Community, serving New York and Connecticut and is based in Albany, NY. “Manor Hills” is a 137-bed assisted living community that offers a special neighborhood dedicated to assisted living and memory care services.
In their words: “Wellsville Manor Care Center, is a 120-bed short term rehab and long-term care facility offering an array of post-acute medical treatments and short term sub-acute rehabilitation. As per their literature: “Our mission is to provide each resident with the care and services they deserve. Whether you are here for short term rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing…Our nursing staff is trained to care for the individual, tailoring all services to meet your needs… the Wellsville Manor Care Center truly is your Bridge Between Hospital and Home.”
There is considerable overlap in services offered, but there is a difference in their overall mission. You should Reach out to each to see which most closely fit your needs should that need arise.
My Wrambling’s tend to follow a format somewhat akin to Op-Ed ramblings; oft-times with the emphasis more on “Opinion” rather than anything supported by extensive research. Guilty, I plead, in that my research often focuses on adding breadth to a story as opposed to adding depth to the story. My “mission statement” implies that I want to share what I see and feel, and, I love to learn, and so, therefore, to help others learn. I aim to open your eyes and hearts and further, to dig into the intricate details if so inclined. Thus, I seek to whet your appetite to learn as opposed to giving you “all” of the information available.
In the “pre-arising from bed moments,” and thinking about what or how I was going to write, I recalled a conversation I had with a former student from one of my many “Industrial Training” programs. The student was an employee of what was then known as Dresser – Rand (D-R) and was sent to me by D-R to learn more about the machinery they were, or would be, operating. One such student, who I knew vaguely, and came to know “more better” over the years, asked me rather haughtily; “What are you going to teach me?” When I replied “Nothing!” and just paused, looking at him awaiting his response, he replied: “Then what are we doing here?” My answer then, and which later became an introduction of myself in the dozens of following training programs, was; “I can’t teach you anything…pause…But I can help you learn many things.” When that message sank in, he, and the rest of the class, looked up to me with a newfound understanding and respect. I see those former students quite often as I frequently visit the local Wellsville businesses.
As much as I loved learning, I loved sharing what I had learned. Not to teach, but to help learn.
Pretty deep thoughts there so I guess I’d better return to form, and Wramble a little.
Puzzling thought the other day as I read an advertisement and invitation for people no longer in need of their, or having an extra, vehicle. The Association for the Blind in looking for vehicles for their clients. I presume they’re for use in transporting their clients and not directly for use by their clients. However, witnessing, and hearing scanner calls, regarding the local driving shenanigans I sometimes wonder. Traversing the “Round-abouts” on North Union Street in Olean is both frightening and entertaining. My wife hates the Round-abouts and she isn’t even the one driving around them. Other drivers’ actions do more than fuel the fires of her distaste. As soon as I turn off I86 at exit 26 to enter Olean on North Union, as we head eventually to Walmart, she exclaims; “Why are you going this way?” The answer is usually; “Because it’s the quickest way to Rite Aid.”
Olean not only has (near it) a Walmart and a Rite Aid drugstore. When Rite Aid pulled up roots in Wellsville and moved to Olean, we switched our prescription pick-up point to Walgreens. It didn’t take long for their apparent incompetence to drive us back to Rite Aid in Olean. They are not perfect, but their friendliness, customer service, and personal touch makes them easy and inviting to deal with.
Sneaking back to scanner related subjects I am amazed at the frequency and immediacy implied, when Allegany County Dispatch is requested to call a response team to what seemingly are minor medical incidences at the local schools. Mrs. Norton handled anything and everything as the school nurse at Friendship Central School in the era surrounding the 60’s.
December is blessed with many significant births. The greatest and most significant is that of our Savior for whom, or because of whom, we now have what is known to most as Christmas Day. Not all believe the same way and that is their right. But for most of us it is the greatest blessing.
There are many other significant December births including mine, albeit likely the least significant, but also by many friends and one special person, now our daughter-in-law Toni Ann.
I wrote the following poem shortly after she came into our family and have done so since then.
To Toni Ann, we wish you a very Happy Birthday 💕❣️
