St. Camillus - Continuing Care

Dining
Meals are served in the dining rooms located in Buildings I, II and III; in the unit dining lounges; and in residents' rooms. The dining rooms feature special areas for family and friends to join residents for meals. The nurse manager can make the necessary arrangements. Dietitians and diet technicians work with residents on an individual basis to maintain good nutritional status. All residents see a nutrition professional upon admission so that individual food preferences and needs are met. If the physician orders a special diet, a registered dietitian will provide the resident and their family with this information. The dietitian will answer any questions regarding nutrition or meals.

Leaves/Therapeutic leaves
Visits, outings and other absences from the facility require the physician's approval. The resident's social worker can make the arrangements. You and your family members/significant other may require training in preparation for a leave (e.g., car transfers, etc.). Insurance coverage may affect the availability of leaves. The social worker can provide further details.

Recreation activities and social events
A variety of leisure activities are planned for residents, including:

Bingo
Crafts and woodworking
Community outings
Continuous learning classes
Cooking
Entertainment
Gardening
Games
Inter-generational activities
Men's club
Monthly pet visits
Movies
Physical activities
Sensory stimulation

Individual and group activities are encouraged. Residents may participate in the activities of their choice as treatment schedules and personal obligations permit.

Each resident receives a copy of the monthly calendar of events which is also posted in large print at each unit. Activity sites include facility lounges, dining rooms, the courtyards, the Adult Day Health patio and the leisure recreation room located in Building 1. Lounge areas are equipped with game tables, easy chairs, a color television, magazines, periodicals and activity supplies. The Recreation Services staff also distributes large print or talking books on tape that are obtained from the Onondaga County Public Library System. The staff are on duty seven days a week and also offer evening activities.

Laundry
St. Camillus provides laundry service for washable clothing. However, family members may prefer to maintain resident clothing themselves. All clothing and personal items are to be labeled with the resident's name.

Newspaper service and mail delivery
Newspapers, packages, mail and floral arrangements are delivered directly to resident rooms. The social worker can provide information regarding a daily or Sunday Syracuse Newspapers subscription. Other newspaper subscriptions, such as weeklies, are delivered by mail.

Privacy room
The privacy room available on B Unit is equipped with a telephone and comfortable furniture. It can be used by any resident. Use should be limited to thirty minutes should others be waiting.

Telephones and cable TV
The three pay telephones available are located on B Unit, C Unit, and the KB Unit. Residents may arrange for private telephone service at their own expense by contacting their social worker. Televisions are available in each unit lounge for general viewing. Residents may also bring in their own TV. Cable television service may be ordered in residents' rooms at their own expense by contacting the social worker.

Visiting hours
Visiting hours are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week. There is no minimum age restriction for visitors. Animal visits are welcome if properly controlled by leash. There may be visiting restrictions in the event of a health emergency or other extraordinary circumstances.

Other Services Provided

Beauty shop/Barber services
The beauty shop's licensed beauticians serve residents and rehabilitation inpatients by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Barber service is scheduled on a regular basis. The unit clerk can arrange for beauty shop/barber services. Payment may be made in cash or charged to the resident's personal account.

Dental services
A staff of licensed dentists and registered dental hygienists are available to residents and rehabilitation inpatients by appointment. An initial dental assessment may be provided depending upon the individual's length of stay. If dental treatment is required after undergoing an initial assessment, individuals may arrange for treatment at St. Camillus or be treated by their own dentist. Emergency dental treatment is also available. The resident care coordinator will arrange dental appointments.

Gift shop
The gift shop carries greeting cards, magazines, beauty supplies, snacks, gifts, postage stamps, mass cards, St. Camillus Foundation donor envelopes and other items. Gift shop purchases may be paid for in cash or charged to the resident's personal account. Operated by the St. Camillus Auxiliary, the gift shop is staffed by volunteers and its proceeds directly benefit residents and inpatients through the Auxiliary's ongoing projects.

Neuropsychology services
St. Camillus provides psychological assessment, consultations and counseling to residents with a physician's order, as well as to rehabilitation inpatients as needed.

Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is provided to residents as needed. Occupational therapy evaluations and treatments are prescribed by the physician and performed by licensed occupational therapists and certified occupational therapist assistants. Occupational therapy helps residents build muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, and cognitive and visual/perceptual skills for better functioning and independence. It also helps develop skills involving activities of daily living such as cooking, feeding and personal care.

Pastoral care/religious services
St. Camillus is dedicated to meeting the spiritual needs of its residents through its ongoing provision of holistic healthcare. The primary focus of Pastoral Care is to support and strengthen resident spiritual resources to help the body heal, promote peace of mind and establish emotional stability. The director of pastoral care arranges religious services for Protestant and Catholic residents held in the Michael N. DeCirce Memorial Chapel located in Building 1. Days and times of these services are listed on the monthly activities calendar given to each resident and displayed on all nursing unit bulletin boards. Additional services with local clergy from most denominations may be arranged by contacting the Pastoral Care department. The chapel is also open to residents, their families and friends for private meditation throughout the day, except during mealtimes and scheduled services.

If residents would like a church, parish or temple notified that they are at St. Camillus, the individual should ask their social worker to inform the Pastoral Care department.

Personal accounts
You may open a personal account (for in-house expenses such as Gift Shop purchases, Beauty shop/barber services, and for safekeeping cash) with the receptionist located in Building 2. Account deposits may be made with the receptionist anytime she is on duty, seven days a week. Account withdrawals may be made with the receptionist weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Notary public service is also available to residents and rehabilitation inpatients by contacting their social worker.

Physical therapy
Physical therapy evaluations and treatments are prescribed by the physician and supervised/provided by licensed physical therapists and certified physical therapist assistants. Physical therapy may include gait or walking training, exercise and other treatments such as hot packs. Residents also receive instruction from therapists on the proper use of assistive devices such as a walker, cane, crutches, wheelchair or the use of a brace or prosthesis (artificial limb).

Radiology/Pharmacy/Podiatry
Radiology, pharmacy and podiatry services are available on site. A podiatrist will come to St. Camillus for scheduled visits. The resident care coordinator/case coordinator/social worker can arrange these services.

Respiratory therapy
Physician-ordered respiratory evaluations and treatments are provided by a staff of registered respiratory care practitioners and/or professional nurses. These treatments help relieve symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other lung disorders. Oxygen is available with a physician's written order.

Speech/Language pathology
Speech and language pathology services are provided to residents as needed. Consultations and treatments are prescribed by the physician and provided by licensed and certified speech and language pathologists. A full-range of services are provided, including evaluation and treatment of communication skills, cognitive-linguistic skills and feeding and swallowing skills. Individual and/or group treatments may be used to help each person achieve their highest level of functioning.

E-mail: info@st-camillus.org