Trust is Essential
“We understand it can be difficult for families to put their trust in others for their loved one’s medical needs, especially when they have been taking care of them throughout their lives. We build a relationship with individuals long before they arrive at New Hope, and we continue to focus on the whole person.”
Karen Kerendian, Director of Health Services
We Believe Health is the Cornerstone of Quality of Life
The health and well-being of the people we support are of paramount importance at New Hope Community. We’ve carefully designed our comprehensive Health Services to address the unique needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Our stellar nursing team includes Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, and a Health Services Coordinator. This team plays a vital role at New Hope Community and looks at the whole person, their specific needs and how to best support each person with an integrated approach to care. They are key players in each person’s core support team and are role models in providing quality healthcare. They provide support and teach individuals, and our own staff, how to make the best decisions when it comes to their health and medical needs.
Enhanced Medical Care with StationMD Telehealth Technology
Introduced to more than half of our residences in late 2019, StationMD telehealth services streamlined health services and helped our residents avoid exposure to COVID-19. One year later, StationMD was expanded to all 40 homes. The 240 people supported by New Hope Community now have easy remote access to urgent medical care 24/7 from board-certified physicians who specialize in treating people with I/DD, in the comfort and safety of their homes, without the disruption of leaving home and being in an unfamiliar or disturbing setting. A trip to the doctor’s office or to the emergency room can be traumatic for anyone but especially for people who may have sensory, communication or mobility issues, and require medical transport with support staff to accompany them. Streamlining care with new technology often creates a better patient experience.
Easy-to-use medical “stations” enable New Hope Community’s nurses and staff to electronically connect with StationMD’s board-certified physicians using tablets. High-tech stethoscopes operate on Bluetooth technology to transmit lung and bowel sounds in real-time for patient evaluations. Diagnosing illness and prescribing treatment using StationMD can take as little as 15 minutes and offers wrap-around care including same-day or next-day prescription fulfillment and appointments for follow-up visits.
The first agency in Sullivan County to offer telehealth through StationMD, New Hope Community ensures all the men and women receiving support services have quick access to highly qualified, experienced professionals who understand their needs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The use of StationMD telehealth services resulted in a 90% reduction in visits to the hospital and urgent care facilities for ailments such as rashes, pink eye, minor infections, or nausea.
Everyone is on the Same Page When It Comes to Health
The Health Services team not only embodies quality healthcare delivery at New Hope Community, but also works closely with our Medical Director, local hospitals, as well as collaborating with specialty hospitals and physicians. We have developed relationships with hospitals such as NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, located in New York City, ensuring access to specialty services and allowing all medical needs of those we support to be met.
Hudson Regional Long Term Care has been providing pharmacy services to New Hope Community for many years. An exciting service involving medication packaging, also known as compliance packaging, has been rolled out in several of our homes. The packing will provide all medications for a particular time frame in one envelope. This time-saving system allows people to manage multiple medications, reduce medication errors and foster greater independence for individuals working on self-administration of medications.
Nursing Students Gain Practical Insights
In a collaborative partnership with SUNY Sullivan, New Hope has become a clinical site for nursing students providing them with an invaluable clinical rotation involving the provision of healthcare supports to people with I/DD. This program brings together the expertise of educators and health professionals working within the I/DD community to prepare students for addressing the physical, social and emotional well-being of people with disabilities. The program complements nursing students’ coursework and opens their eyes to working with a population whose needs may not be addressed in the typical nursing school curriculum.
With the exemplary team and advanced medical initiatives, we are confident that you or your loved one will receive the highest quality of wellness support.
For more information, please contact Karen Kerendian, Director of Health Services at 845-241-2783 or via email at kkerendian@newhopecommunity.org.