News in brief
Meyer endorsed by Independence Party for county executive
TROY, N.Y. » Deputy County Executive Christopher Meyer has added the endorsement of the Rensselaer County Independence Party in his bid to succeed his boss, retiring County Executive Kathleen Jimino.
At a Thursday morning meeting, the party voted to endorsed the Grafton Republican over Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin, R-Schaghticoke, despite the fact that McLaughlin had the personal endorsement of Thomas S. Connolly Jr., chairman of the county Independence Party and vice chairman of the state party organization. Meyer adds the endorsement to that of the county’s Republican Committee in his bid to replace Jimino, who decided not to run for a fifth four-year term as the county’s chief executive officer,
”This certainly signals that our campaign gains momentum every day,” Meyer said in a news release announcing the endorsement. “Furthermore; the confidence the Independence Party has placed in me is much appreciated and shows that the local committee appreciates my experience as deputy county executive, as well as the commitment I have made to conduct a campaign that touches on every issue and every concern of Rensselaer County residents. They are the ones who really count.”
Eddy VNA renamed to incorporate rehab role
TROY, N.Y. » The Eddy Visiting Nurse Association, a member of The Eddy not-for-profit network of senior services, has been renamed the Eddy Visiting Nurse and Rehab Association to better reflect the expanded range of home-based rehabilitation services the agency now provides to meet the changing needs of home-care patients. The name change is effective immediately.
“Today’s medical advances make it possible for more patients to return directly home from the hospital, with the home-based rehab services they need delivered right to their doorsteps,” said Michelle Mazzacco, vice president and executive director of Eddy VNRA and the Eddy Community Services Division, affiliates of St. Peter’s Health Partners. With the needs of patients shifting, it is estimated that nearly 40 percent of Eddy VNRA patients are now using home-based therapies, compared to about 10 percent just a few years ago. Eddy VNRA currently employs nearly 100 physical, occupational and speech therapists — nearly one-third of the total staff. “Bringing rehab services into the home setting enables patients to recover where they prefer and where they are most comfortable,” said Lisa Lemery, Eddy VNRA’s rehab manager. “In their own homes, patients can learn how to safely adapt to their normal environments – with less incidents and safety issues – while they continue improving the skills needed to perform daily activities. As a result, patients can regain mobility and return to the highest level of function possible, as quickly as possible.”
For more information on Eddy VNRA, visit www.sphp.com/ home-care-cc or call 274-6200.