members
TOGETHER
LI State Vets Home Expands Help to
Veterans at Home
By Rich Acritelli
Kindness, devotion, hard work, and determination; these are the words to describe
the loyalty that the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook has toward its
patients. While the COVID-19 pandemic has made their mission immensely difficult,
this facility is carrying out its responsibilities to support our local veterans at this nursing
home. This staff has adapted to the hardships of this virus, and they are finding different
ways of helping many elderly veterans who have served in practically every military
branch.
The vets home has created a multi-faceted program that helps people from Riverhead
to Massapequa. Leading the way is Jean Brand, the Program Director of the Adult Day
Health Care Program, with their efforts based in Stony Brook and in the homes of
these older populations who rely on the services. Even before the coronavirus changed
operations, staff members have provided assistance in cooking, bathing and nutritional
aid that allows for breakfast and lunch to be served along with taking home a meals for
dinner. They also provided rehabilitation for physical and speech therapy programs. As
the veterans ages range from the mid 60’s to over 100 years old, the staff’s devotion also
allows the older counterparts to take a brief break in handling the rigors of treating their
loved ones.
From the start of the day, the state nursing home provides transportation to bring citizens
that served from World War II, Korean and Vietnam to Stony Brook. Due to this current
pandemic, the programs are now more home based. Although these were necessary
changes, according to Brand, the organization is finding new ways to help these older
citizens. Through a home delivery program, several meals a week are organized and
distributed to the elderly. Brand and her staff are currently preparing food that is nonperishable
and easy to eat. Deliveries also include necessary items that have been difficult
to purchase such as toilet paper, masks, wipes, paper towels and soap. They have also sent
home word puzzles and and other games to help keep their minds sharp and to pass the
time, as many of these veterans that are spending numerous hours in their houses.
With many longterm relationships built up at Stony Brook, the staff misses these familiar
faces and their stories of service of defending our nation during many trying times. Many
of these men and women are considered family members to the staff. The entire staff,
through expertise and professionalism, has for many years attended to the many diverse
needs of these men and women. They have implemented telehealth to boost morale and
at the same time to safely utilize social distancing initiatives to keep a watchful eye on
the health of their patients. Although sending home food is a primary function of this
program, many of these telephone calls are keeping the lines of communication open, and
range from a simple hello to necessary inquiries about serious ailments.
Brand spoke about a unique program that was created to connect the patriotic stories
of national service to the students of today. The Long Island Museum has worked with
the vets home through a pen pal project which has younger men and women reach out
to veterans to learn about their lives. Even as this has been tough period, this idea has
(See LI State Vets Home on page 63)
62 Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Summer 2020