Chenango Valley Home & Apartments in Norwich. (Submitted photo)

by Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

NORWICH – Commerce Chenango would like to highlight the Chenango Valley Home Inc. The home is a 501(c)(3) organization led by a 9-member volunteer board of directors. Founded in 1896, the home has 32 beds and has 12 independent senior apartments.

In 2018, the organization decided to extend their services and offer a social adult day program for the community members who have functional impairments and would benefit from this much-needed service.

The Adult Enrichment Center program assists individuals with a variety of issues to enhance their quality of life and remain a part of the community while living at home.

The Chenango Valley Home is a department of health certified Adult Home. This means the facility meets the following requirements, as provided by Director Jennifer Randall, “An Adult Home is operated for the purpose of providing long-term residential care, room, board, housekeeping, personal care, and supervision. We are required to provide Supervision, which is knowledge of general whereabouts of each resident, monitoring to identify changes in behavior, assistance in performing basic activities of daily living, including attendance and meals, participation in facility and community programs, and performance of basic money management.

We offer personal care as necessary to enable the resident to maintain good hygiene including assistance with grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting, self-administration of medications, and eating. Finally, we offer case management through the initial and periodic evaluation of the needs of the resident including establishing linkages with and arranging for services from public and private sources for income, health, mental health, and social services.”

The home currently employs 32 people and is operating around the clock. If you are interested in applying for a job, employment openings are listed on Indeed. Randall stated, “Volunteers from the community are always welcome to provide programs, visits, or share personal interests with residents.”

Chenango Valley Home is in a quiet neighborhood, close to the downtown churches and shops in Norwich. Randall claims, “Residents enjoy outings in the community, on site social and recreational activities, entertainment, and wellness focused programs. The meals are prepared from scratch utilizing our own garden vegetables when in season. Our expansive garden includes vegetables, blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry patches, assorted apple trees, perennials, a walking path and each year residents enjoy watching our giant pumpkins grow.”

The home serves private pay individuals who either pay out of pocket or have long-term care insurance or a veteran’s benefit. The home maintains Investment Management Funds to offset their expenses, allowing them to provide care at an affordable cost.

In the Adult Enrichment Center, seniors enjoy socialization, nutrition, and personal care. The Enrichment center also offers  services for caregivers though caregiver respite. Respite offers a much-needed break to those who care for a loved one at home. Should caregivers need a short break for appointments, vacation, or self-care, the Enrichment Center will take care of the member during that time. Support groups are offered for caregivers, as well as assistance with care planning, and caregiving education.

The Adult Enrichment Center offers different program options, including a full day program (5-8 hours), a half day program (3-4 hours), and an extended day program (5-8 hours). Additional services include an hourly program, shower assistance, additional meals, and accompaniment to doctor appointments. Funding options include private pay, managed long-term care, and MLTCs such as Fidelis care, Veterans Affairs, Nacentia Health Options, and iCircle Care.

If you would like some more information about the home apartments or enrichment center, you can visit their website at www.chenangovalleyhome.org and follow them on Facebook at Chenango Valley Home & Apartments.