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Bob Caulfield

From left, Jefferson’s Ferry management: Bob Caulfield, President & Chief Executive Officer; Patti Gallagher, Director of Environmental Services; Dawn Flowers-Leib, Director of Admissions; Richelle Rugolo, RN, Director of Nursing; Kathy Koutouvidis, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing; Heidi Vargas, Culinary Manager; and Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services. Photo courtesy of Jefferson's Ferry

For the seventh year in a row, a survey of Jefferson’s Ferry residents and their families in South Setauket has affirmed the excellence of the care residents of the Life Plan Community’s skilled nursing care receive. Their feedback places Jefferson’s Ferry’s Vincent Bove Health Center among the top 15% in the nation, providing “Best in Class” service to its residents. In recognition of this distinction, Jefferson’s Ferry received the Activated Insights Customer Experience Award (formerly Pinnacle Quality Insight) for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in skilled nursing care. 

The Activated Insights Award process closely examined skilled nursing care at the Health Center over a 12-month period of study by surveying residents and their families about the quality of 14 target areas: Nursing care, activities, dining services/food quality, cleanliness, laundry services, therapy services, response to problems, dignity and respect, individual needs, would they recommend to others, the overall customer experience, and satisfaction by residents or family members. 

“Since Jefferson’s Ferry opened its doors nearly 25 years ago as Long Island’s first Life Plan Retirement Community, we have upheld the highest standards to deliver extraordinary care,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “The Activated Insights Award affirms the outstanding work that our staff performs on a daily basis and is a vote of confidence that all of us take very seriously. Our goal is always to provide residents with the peace of mind to live their best life here. We are deeply grateful to our residents and their families for their trust and support. It’s the people who live and work here that make Jefferson’s Ferry such a special and vibrant community.” 

The survey sampling of Vincent Bove Health Center residents and their families is conducted by monthly telephone interviews that ask the participants open-ended questions to rate their experiences in each specific category. Jefferson’s Ferry staff receive that feedback each month to gain a better understanding of emerging resident needs and make improvements when necessary. 

“With its basis in direct feedback from our residents and their loved ones, the Activated Insights Award is especially meaningful to our caregivers and other staff,” explained Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Service at Jefferson’s Ferry. “The staff and residents form close relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and quality care. It is both important and immensely satisfying to all of us to know that we are consistently hitting the mark, meeting or exceeding the best standards or practices within our industry.” 

Activated Insights is a customer satisfaction measurement firm with more than 26 years of experience in post‐acute healthcare. Pinnacle conducts over 112,000 phone surveys each year working with 1,800 care providers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.   

For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

For the fourth year running, Jefferson’s Ferry in South Setauket has earned a Choice Community Award from Holleran Consulting, based on the outstanding results of a  yearly survey of its residents. Holleran has the largest benchmark of senior living engagement scores by which Life Plan Communities can compare performance relative to their peers. 

The Choice Community Award is widely recognized as the gold standard in the senior living industry. Recipients of the award have exceeded the national benchmarks for resident engagement and satisfaction. 

“The Choice Community Award is based entirely on feedback from our residents, making this vote of extremely high satisfaction particularly meaningful to our entire team,” explained Vice President of Resident Life Linda Kolakowski. “Participating in Holleran’s Resident Engagement survey is strictly voluntary, so we’re doubly appreciative that our residents have taken the time to express their views and share their insights. Their feedback and the dedication of our team members make Jefferson’s Ferry one of a kind.”

“Our mission is to provide our residents with the exceptional, engaged, and active lifestyle that they expect and deserve,” added Jefferson’s Ferry President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Caulfield. “Our lifestyle promotes independence, individuality, dignity, privacy, security, and peace of mind for each resident through a focus on resident programs, service and outstanding health care.

“People choose to live at Life Plan Communities with an expectation of a continuation of care as their needs change,” continued Caulfield, “but what makes Jefferson’s Ferry stand above other Life Plan choices is the culture of community specific to Jefferson’s Ferry. In our almost 25 years of operation, Jefferson’s Ferry has developed a distinct vibe and tradition of caring for each other as neighbors and friends. The feeling of home and the security it provides is a key component of life at Jefferson’s Ferry. Cultivating that special bond and engagement our residents and staff experience is a cornerstone of our community.”  

Kathy Koutouvidis with Jefferson's Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. Photo courtesy of Jefferson's Ferry

When Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community in South Setauket brought its management and staff together to celebrate another year of teamwork and camaraderie, it also recognized the outstanding contributions of individual employees throughout the year.

Two outstanding employees were recognized for their stellar work in service of Jefferson’s Ferry residents. Agustin “Augie” Carrasco was named 2024 Employee of the Year and Kathy Koutouvidis took home 2024 Manager of the Year honors. 

Agustin “Augie” Carrasco with Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. Photo courtesy of Jefferson’s Ferry

Augie has a passion for helping people and making their quality of the life the best it can be. During his close to 12 years of service, Augie has served in roles of increasing responsibility and touched the lives of residents and coworkers with a pleasant demeanor matched only by the highest standard of performance. From his first job in the kitchen through his steady rise to housekeeping to his current position as Maintenance Tech II, his responsiveness, knowledge and overall helpful nature have always put Augie in high demand. “Everyone wants to work with him,” wrote his nominating supervisor, Director of Maintenance Patty Tuscano. “Several other departments have expressed their appreciation for Augie’s hard work and dedication to me. He shows great concern for the welfare of others and is actively involved in finding solutions to difficult challenges.”

Kathy Koutouvidis, Assistant Director of Nursing, was recognized as Manager of the Year for her many contributions to both the Jefferson’s Ferry residents who live in the Vincent Bove Health Center and the dedicated team who cares for them. In 2025 Kathy will celebrate her 20th year of service to Jefferson’s Ferry. Over that time, Kathy has never faltered in exceeding expectations and practicing her profession with expertise, compassion and caring attention to residents, their families and staff.

She shone during the challenges of COVID-19 and in the post-pandemic environment, playing a significant role in the award-winning care at the Health Center. For the sixth year running, the Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community has received the Pinnacle Quality Insight Customer Experience Award for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in skilled nursing care, placing the health center in the top 15% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide.

“Kathy’s dedication has been instrumental in her training and recertification of our Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA),” noted Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services in writing his nomination. “She has cultivated meaningful relationships among our staff and residents and worked to make sure our residents and staff are educated about the importance of vaccination to protect against illness. Our outstanding results with the Department of Health, ongoing 5-star rating from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and “Best Of” nursing home rating by U.S. News & World Report are reflective of Kathy’s work.”

The last 12 months saw the opening of The Grove, a state-of-the-art 20-bed memory support neighborhood, part of Jefferson’s Ferry Journey Toward Renewal, which in the past few years has added 60 new one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments to the campus, as well as six distinct dining venues, new dining options in Assisted Living; an expansion of its Healthy Living Center and Fitness Center, and its state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Therapy Center. 

“It was an exhilarating year in which we’ve seen many or our efforts come to fruition,” enthused Jefferson’s Ferry President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Caulfield. “We can all feel pride in the jobs we’ve performed that have contributed to making Jefferson’s Ferry a singular Life Plan Community that can offer both the latest amenities and modern living within an established, caring community of neighbors and friends.”

About Jefferson’s Ferry   www.jeffersonsferry.org

 

Jefferson’s Ferry resident and gardener Mark Saidens shared the bounty of his garden during a Garden Showcase on Aug. 16. Photo courtesy of Jefferson's Ferry

‘The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.’ — Alfred Austin

By Elissa Gargone

Elissa Gargone

Since it was founded in 2001, Jefferson’s Ferry residents have enthusiastically gardened, whether in their apartments, their patios, in the yards of their cottages or in a number of garden beds provided by Jefferson’s Ferry for resident use. Over the years, the demand for growing space has increased. Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield has worked with the resident Garden Committee to help bring their wishes to fruition. Today, 36 elevated beds tended by Independent Living residents overflow with a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs. Elevated beds are easier on the gardeners’ backs and knees, and are accessible to residents who use wheelchairs. 

Additional gardens can be found within the interior gardens and greenspaces of Jefferson’s Ferry Health Center residences. Of the dozen boxes within the interior garden, roughly half are used by residents as part of the recreational therapy program.  

Each year, the raised-bed gardeners have an opportunity to display the fruits of their labor at a community gathering, and this year was no exception. A special Garden Showcase and Happy Hour celebration was held during the height of the harvest on August 16. Display tables were loaded with bumper crops of summer flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, basil, lavender and other herbs, as well as samples of Essie Freilach’s homemade pickles and a Chinese-inspired eggplant dish prepared by Mark Saidens. House plants also got their moment in the sun. Blooming orchids and violets in a variety of colors were in abundance. Resident Laura Lesch displayed a 100-year-old Snake Plant that has been passed down through several generations of her family.  

Anthropologist Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 

A cadre of Jefferson’s Ferry residents has taken that sentiment to heart, with a mission to give back to the environment what development has taken away. Since 2018, the Grounds Committee has spearheaded a project to protect the endangered Monarch Butterfly. When the project was proposed to the community, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Management has since expanded the Monarch project to restore native plants and trees to the 50 acre campus with pollinator, bird and aquifer-friendly native plants and trees, particularly in a meadow around its Melo Pond wetland. 

Hoping to obtain outside funding for the expanded project, Grounds Committee member Dorothy Gilbert initiated a grant application to Suffolk County. She was able to involve a diverse group of resident educators, scientists, engineers, construction experts and grant writers to help shape the application. These included a geologist who provided valuable information about soil and the effects of fertilizing, an expert photographer who took pictures during the early work, a resident who was able to get an endorsement for the application from a local government official, and the support of the resident chairs of the Jefferson’s Ferry’s Grounds, Conservation, and Public Affairs committees and the Residents Council.

Jefferson’s Ferry Melo Pond

“We may be the old guard but we are setting an example by doing something that other Long Islanders can do as well — protecting the environment for future generations. We are not wasting our talents after retirement; we want to continue to make a contribution to our community and to society. The new meadowlands include plants vital to important pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly and other insects and birds. We have planted a variety of native milkweed, which the Monarchs need to reproduce, creating a way station for the them as they migrate south. The meadow provides food and shelter to other native creatures and thrives without the fertilizers and heavy irrigation required for lawns, which is very environmentally friendly to Long Island’s water supply,” said Dorothy Gilbert.

“The Jefferson’s Ferry community, from our management team to our fellow residents, have been immensely supportive of our endeavors, encouraging us every step of the way. There are costs associated with our undertaking, so we have been building the garden beds and the meadows in steps as the budget allows,” added Mark Saidens.

“One of the many things that has always made Jefferson’s Ferry stand out as an extraordinary community is the people who live here,” said Bob Caulfield. “They continue to be active and involved in important social activism. They are environmentally conscious and generous in their charitable donations and volunteerism. They embrace lifelong learning and new ideas and gladly share their talents and wisdom.”

Elissa Gargone is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community in South Setauket.

As the ribbon was cut on the “soft opening” of the new Memory Support Neighborhood and Assisted Living upgrades at Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community in South Setauket on May 29, the packed house of spectators burst into spontaneous applause. Representative of the latest innovations in memory support living, “The Grove,” was welcomed by community residents, family members, supporters, and Jefferson’s Ferry board trustees. 

“This is a very special day for us as we open the doors to this beautiful, welcoming, and secure space,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “The Grove will help us accommodate the increased demand for memory support services within Jefferson’s Ferry and in the larger Long Island community in a state-of-the-art and homelike environment. The number of people experiencing memory loss has increased and is expected to continue to rise as more people live into their 90s and even 100s. Jefferson’s Ferry strives to provide a community where every resident is able to live their best life, no matter what challenges they may be facing.” 

The Grove will be home to 20 residents inhabiting private studio apartments. A variety of community spaces include an activities room, den, dining room and outdoor porch and garden, creating an inviting living space where residents, family members, and friends can spend time together socializing and pursuing meaningful and purposeful activities. Its circular layout is specially designed to allow for residents to wander within the safety of their environment with more choice and control of their daily activities. 

“There are abundant opportunities for socializing and activities for every resident to enjoy, ranging from soothing aromatherapy treatments to awe-inspiring virtual reality programming,” explained Dawn Flowers-Leib, director of admissions for The Grove. “Through virtual reality tools, our residents can travel to any place on Earth, from Paris to their old neighborhoods (using Google Maps and Street View). They can also ‘meet’ with family and friends to look at photos, play games, watch movies or simply enjoy each others’ company.” 

Grove activities will be specifically tailored to the interests and abilities of the residents, including smaller, more intimate activities that encourage greater opportunities for meaningful and engaged participation. Pet therapy, music and art therapy and other programs will also be available to residents.

Caulfield thanked the residents and staff for their enthusiasm and support throughout the entire multi-year Journey Toward Renewal initiative that includes the opening of The Grove and renovations to the dining options in Assisted Living. Journey Toward Renewal also added 60 new studio and one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, some with a den, six distinct dining venues, expanded the Healthy Living Center, the Fitness Center, and its state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Therapy Center.

“Since Jefferson’s Ferry opened in 2001 as the first not for profit Life Plan community on Long Island, we have endeavored to set the standard for continuing care for older adults, providing a vibrant, caring, community and peace of mind to our residents,” concluded Caulfield. “Over our more than 20 years in operation, Jefferson’s Ferry has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of the people who call Jefferson’s Ferry home. The opening of The Grove and our overall Journey Toward Renewal is evidence of this unswerving and ongoing commitment to excellence.”

There was a party going on recently at Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation’s 19th Annual Gala in support of its Resident Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to Jefferson’s Ferry residents who outlive their assets or experience a shortfall through no fault of their own. Reflective of this year’s “New York State of Mind” theme, partygoers posed with “NYC taxi cabs” to kick off the event. Pictured here: (L to R:) Jefferson’s Ferry residents Ruth Weinreb, Rose Modica, Josephine Pheffer, Jean Grunwald and Dolores Dellova. (Photo by resident Martin Cohen)

Popular Fundraiser Benefits the Foundation’s Resident Assistance Fund 

Every spring for nearly 20 years, Jefferson’s Ferry residents, donors, and vendors have joined Jefferson’s Ferry management, staff and board members to support the Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation at its annual gala fundraiser on April 18. This year was no exception. The party, held at Flowerfield in St. James, celebrated the vibrant community, active lifestyle, and peace of mind that can be found in abundance at Jefferson’s Ferry. 

All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s Resident Assistance Fund, which was established in 2006 to provide financial assistance to Jefferson’s Ferry residents who outlive their assets or experience a shortfall through no fault of their own. Over the years, the Resident Assistance Fund has played a role in upholding the Life Plan Community Promise of peace of mind and health care for Jefferson’s Ferry residents by subsidizing the monthly fees of residents in need.

This year, the gala gave a nod to New York City nightlife with “A New York State of Mind” theme. Party-goers enjoyed live music by the Jazz Loft, dancing, New York-style hor d’oeuvres, casino-style gaming and hand-rolled cigars. 

With Jefferson’s Ferry’s “Journey Towards Renewal” renovation and expansion project a hair shy of completion–the new Memory Support Neighborhood is due to open in the coming weeks — the gala honored the two architectural and design firms critical to the project, KDA Architects and Merlino Design Partnership (MDP). Principal architect and KDA Partner David Fowles and principal designer and MDP President Bruce Hurowitz were on hand to accept their honors. 

“The outpouring of generosity in support of the Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation and the Resident Assistance Fund is deeply gratifying and demonstrative of the strong community bond we enjoy here at Jefferson’s Ferry,” said President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “We have neighbors helping neighbors through the Resident Assistant Fund and in so many other less tangible but no less important ways. It’s one of the many reasons Jefferson’s Ferry is such a singular community.”  

Photo Caption:  There was a party going on recently at Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation’s 19th Annual Gala in support of its Resident Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to Jefferson’s Ferry residents who outlive their assets or experience a shortfall through no fault of their own. Reflective of this year’s “New York State of Mind” theme, partygoers posed with “NYC taxi cabs” to kick off the event.  Pictured here: (L to R:) Jefferson’s Ferry residents Ruth Weinreb, Rose Modica, Josephine Pheffer, Jean Grunwald and Dolores Dellova.  (Photo by resident Martin Cohen)

About Jefferson’s Ferry   www.jeffersonsferry.org

Jefferson’s Ferry is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community for active adults aged 62 and above, with Independent Living cottages and apartments, assisted living apartments, and a quality health care center all on one site.  A multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation project, “The Journey Toward Renewal,” is part of a larger strategic initiative launched in 2018 to create a life-enriching environment for all new and current residents at every stage of their life. Journey to Renewal has added 60 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, provided six distinct dining venues, an expanded Healthy Living Center, Fitness Center, and its state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Therapy Center. A new Memory Support Neighborhood will provide a high quality of life and care for people diagnosed and living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Common areas in Assisted Living and the Health Care Center will be renovated.

Jefferson’s Ferry offers exceptional living and amenities, including indoor pool, computer center, library, recreational areas, gardens, and gazebos.  A mix of cultural excursions, civic activities, and a community of residents who help shape Jefferson’s Ferry’s future ensures a spirited and engaged lifestyle.  

The Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry enjoys a 5-star rating from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and was named a “Best Of” nursing home by U.S. News & World Report.  Jefferson’s Ferry has repeatedly earned the industrywide Community Choice Award for resident satisfaction and engagement and has been recognized with the Pinnacle Quality Insight’s Customer Experience Award for five years running. FitchRatings has assigned Jefferson’s Ferry a BBB bond rating.  Jefferson’s Ferry has consistently been voted Best Retirement Community, Best Nursing Home and Best Assisted Living on Long Island by The Long Island Press and has been recognized for Excellence by the Hauppauge Industrial Association’s Business Achievement Awards program.  

For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

Jefferson's Ferry

Jefferson’s Ferry, a Life Plan community located in South Setauket, was recently named among the top nursing homes in New York State by U.S. News and World report. Jefferson’s Ferry received a 5 out of 5 rating overall, also achieving the top (3 out of 3) high performance rating in multiple categories including short term rehabilitation and long term care.

The rigorous U.S. News & World Report standards for Best Nursing Homes in New York is determined by state-conducted health inspections, nursing staffing and medical quality measures. They evaluate more than 15,000 nursing homes on care, safety, infection rates, staffing and health inspections. Of the more than 600 nursing homes in New York, Jefferson’s Ferry stood out as one of the best in the state and one of only 10 recognized for excellence on Long Island.

“Being named among the Best Nursing Homes in New York is a great honor and a testament to the outstanding care our exceptional staff provides each day to every resident,” said Bob Caulfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson’s Ferry. “We take great pride in cultivating and recognizing the exceptional talent and compassion demonstrated by our staff, which has a direct impact on the superior care we provide to our residents. This is what is at the heart of Jefferson’s Ferry.”

Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services at Jefferson’s Ferry concurred and added, “This prestigious acknowledgement not only showcases Jefferson’s Ferry commitment to providing outstanding care and service to its residents, it is especially gratifying to our staff and management to have their commitment and professionalism documented by such a well recognized outside authority.” For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

The lobby of Jefferson’s Ferry community center was abuzz on June 5 as residents, employees and guests packed in to witness the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the Life Plan community’s new commons building. The mood was buoyant as residents and friends prepared to embark on tours of the spaces.

The audience joined in on the countdown as scissors wielded by Jefferson’s Ferry’s President and CEO Bob Caulfield; Board of Directors Chair Gloria Snyder; Vice Chair James Danowski and Treasurer John Sini; Resident Council Chair Pat Boone and Construction Project Manager Matthew Moroney cut the ribbon to enthusiastic applause. 

Addressing the crowd, Bob Caulfield thanked the residents and staff for their patience and support during the renovation process, dubbed Journey Toward Renewal, which has taken place in stages over the past several years. Additional renovations and expansions are currently underway in Jefferson’s Ferry’s Vincent Bove Health Center, including a new Memory Care Unit which is expected to open in the fall.  

“This is a landmark day for us, as our new commons building adds beautiful new spaces to our community center, the heart of Jefferson’s Ferry,” said Caulfield. “We’ve all been patiently awaiting this day, and I thank every one of you who has been as eager as I have been to celebrate this major milestone. This includes the Board of Trustees, who had the strategic foresight and financial oversight of the ambitious project, our construction team, who labored to complete this phase of the project, and of course, our residents and staff.”

Among the latest updates and additions to the social and recreational aspects of the community center are a variety of new gathering spaces, including a larger and redesigned creative arts center, expanded card rooms for the popular bridge and gin rummy tournaments, and a game room with billiards, ping pong, shuffle boards and large screen television.  Another bright open space is dedicated to puzzling, newspaper reading and socializing.  The fitness center, which can be accessed 24-7 through a separate keypad operated entrance includes a full complement of exercise machines, a dance/yoga studio and separate locker rooms with showers for men and women.  Right down the hall, a salon offers hair cuts and styling, manicure and pedicures by appointment.  

Earlier this year, six new dining venues opened, each one offering a distinct menu to suit a variety of tastes and preferences. Options range from grab and go to casual, and from pub dining to a more formal dining room.

Adjacent to the workout rooms is a new physical therapy and rehabilitation suite that includes a replica of a Jefferson’s Ferry apartment that enables residents to easily transfer what they’ve learned during rehabilitation to their own home.  The rehabilitation suite also features an outdoor therapy courtyard with different surface areas and slopes to help residents fare better in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments post rehab.   

The addition of the commons building has made room for an expansion of the Health and Wellness Program.  Residents can now schedule in-house physician visits with doctors and a nurse practitioner who offer office hours at Jefferson’s Ferry.

“Since its opening in 2001 as the first not for profit Life Plan community on Long Island, Jefferson’s Ferry has set the standard for continuing care for older adults, providing a vibrant, caring community and peace of mind to its residents,” concluded Caulfield. “Over our more than 20 years in operation, Jefferson’s Ferry has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of the people who have made Jefferson’s Ferry their home. Journey Toward Renewal is evidence of our commitment to excellence.”

Jefferson’s Ferry, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community for active adults aged 62 and above, is located at One Jefferson’s Ferry Drive in South Setauket. For more information, call 631-650-2600 or visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

Pictured from left, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Dr. Nikhil Palekar; Brad Straub, Executive Vice President at Greystone; Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield; and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. Photo from Jefferson's Ferry

The Jefferson’s Ferry’s Foundation’s annual gala this spring marked 18 years of generous support for the Foundation. Jefferson’s Ferry residents and their families, supporters and vendors joined Jefferson’s Ferry management, staff and board members for “Springtime in Paris” to salute the singular lifestyle, vibrant community and peace of mind that are the hallmarks of Jefferson’s Ferry. 

The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s “Making Memories Fund,” which will provide supplemental programming for residents of Jefferson’s Ferry’s new Memory Care Wing to include exercise classes, massage therapy, day trips, entertainment and more. The programs will be geared to participants’ interests and capabilities rather than their limitations. The Fund will also support continuing education for staff of the Memory Care Wing, which is set to open later this year.

This year Jefferson’s Ferry honored Greystone, which has served as the chief consultant for Jefferson’s Ferry’s ambitious expansion project. To accept the award on behalf of Greystone, Brad Straub, Executive Vice President at Greystone, joined the party from Texas.

“Brad has been an invaluable resource and played a leading role in defining how Jefferson’s Ferry can best develop its physical plant, programs and resources to fulfill the current and future needs and desires of our residents,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. 

“Brad’s expertise and oversight has enabled us to conceptualize and execute a significant expansion and renovation within a reasonable time frame and with the least disruption to our community.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Nikhil Palekar, Director of the Stony Brook University Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Palekar, an expert in the treatment and research of cognitive and mood disorders in older adults, spoke of promising medical advances in the study of cognitive impairment and mood disorders. For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org.

From left, Anthony Comerford, VP Health Services; Kathy Koutouvidis, RN, Assistant Director, Nursing; Patti Gallagher, Director, Environmental Services; Dawn Flowers-Leib, Director, Admissions; Richelle Rugolo, RN, Director, Nursing; and Bob Caulfield, President and CEO, Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community.

For the fifth year in a row, Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community of South Setauket has earned Pinnacle Quality Insight’s Customer Experience Award for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in the health care industry.  

This award recognizes the dedication of the staff of The Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry in providing “Best in Class” service in Skilled Nursing.  Jefferson’s Ferry’s health center scored in the top 15% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide over a 12-month period of study, excelling in  Nursing Care, Cleanliness, Individual Needs, Recommendation to Others, Activities, Admission Process, Safety & Security, and Overall Customer Experience.

“Since our founding more than 20 years ago as Long Island’s first Continuing Care Retirement Community, Jefferson’s Ferry has been committed to providing the highest quality experience in a community setting that promotes dignity, privacy, individuality and independence for every resident,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “The Pinnacle Award is a direct reflection of the outstanding work that our employees perform every day. It’s always gratifying to know that our residents recognize our dedication with this vote of confidence.” 

Over the course of 2022, a sampling of residents of the Vincent Bove Health Center and their families participated in monthly telephone interviews that asked open-ended questions to rate their experiences in specific categories.    

Every month, Jefferson’s Ferry staff evaluated the results from the interviews to gain a better understanding of resident needs and make improvements when necessary. 

“In addition to the high marks our residents and their families give us in the Pinnacle survey, they also recommend Jefferson’s Ferry to their friends and family,” added Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Service. “Our staff and residents form close relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and quality care.” 

“While we don’t come to work looking to win awards, we always do our very best for our residents and families,” concluded Caulfield. “Our goal is always to provide the people who call Jefferson’s Ferry  home with the means and peace of mind to live their best life here.  It is especially meaningful to know that we are consistently hitting the mark, meeting or exceeding the best standards or practices within our industry.  It’s the people who live and work here that make Jefferson’s Ferry the truly special and vibrant community we know so well.”  

For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org