Paz Management, Inc. Pilots First-of-its-Kind Care Center for Adults With Traumatic Brain Injuries

 

True to its mission of providing pioneering care, PAZ Management, Inc. announced the launch of a unique PILOT program at its affiliate, Dutchess Care Assisted Living in Poughkeepsie, NY. The program, called an Assisted Living Program for a Specialty Population (ALP SP), is the first assisted living option in New York State that is specifically designed to meet the needs of low-income, Medicaid-funded adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).  Supported in part by a $400,000 Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) grant from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Hudson Valley-based PILOT provides enhanced staffing levels and targeted programming for adults with TBI and other neurobehavioral disorders.
 
“TBI is a complex disability that is growing in prevalence,” said Jacob Reckess, vice president of PAZ Management, Inc. “While New York State has many innovative programs, a lack of assisted living options for adults living with TBI has forced many to seek long-term care in more restrictive out-of-state nursing home locations, far from their families and local communities, and at a high cost to the taxpayers. We are proud to be the first to offer a local solution to this problem.”
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States and, from 2006 to 2014, the number of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths increased by 53 percent. Caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain, TBI can range from mild to severe with symptoms including memory loss, headaches, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, sensitivity to light and more.
 
The ALP SP marks the second time that Dutchess Care Assisted Living is the first in New York State to operate a new program aimed at improving access to high quality, affordable and local healthcare options. According to Reckess, this program will improve access to care, create jobs in the local market and save New Yorkers hundreds of thousands of dollars in spending each year, at a time when there is a $2.5 billion Medicaid deficit in New York State.
 
"As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am pleased to welcome this program to the region,” said New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett, of District 106. “TBI is a far too common condition amongst veterans and others. It requires high-quality treatment. This program will improve access to care in our area and serve as a model for other facilities around New York. Thank you to PAZ Management and all those who contributed to making this project a reality.”
 
The program is currently approved to serve six people in a newly renovated wing of Dutchess Care Assisted Living in Poughkeepsie. The building underwent a $332,000 renovation to customize the space for its intended population, including thoughtful features such as a new elevator, energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), soft toned finishes, heavy furniture and new windows to provide more natural light. Psychosocial supports are available on site for residents, including mental health counseling and group support. Each resident completes an intensive screening process to ensure that the program is appropriate for them.
 
“TBI can affect anyone in a moment’s notice,” said Monica Houshower, director of clinical services at PAZ Management, Inc. “Our goal is to provide a community-integrated setting that allows those who have experienced TBI the opportunity to live a life with dignity and be engaged in society. This therapeutic program will help them reintegrate into the community. We are so grateful to the NYS DOH for their support of this lifechanging project.”
 
To celebrate the launch of the PILOT program, the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 20 at 4 p.m. at Dutchess Care Assisted Living, located at 186 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie. The event is free and open to the public, and reservations can be made here: https://www.dcrcoc.org/events/details/ribbon-cutting-paz-management-10482646.
 
Built in 1974, Dutchess Care Assisted Living is a 92-bed assisted living facility servicing low income seniors and adults who need assistance with activities of daily living. Dedicated to person-centered care, PAZ Management founders Azzy and Paula Reckess, acquired the property in 1981 and increased staffing levels to provide quality, individualized support for residents. In 1994, Dutchess Care Assisted Living became the first Medicaid funded Assisted Living Program (ALP) to become operational in New York State. PAZ, through its affiliates, currently owns and operates three assisted living facilities in New York, each serviced by the Golden Care Licensed Home Care Services Agency (LHCSA) to ensure continuity of care and communication throughout the service provider network. To learn more about PAZ Management Inc., and its facilities, visit www.pazmgmt.com.
 
About PAZ Management:
 
Since 1981, PAZ Management, Inc. has been a leading developer, providing quality housing and personalized care for individuals and communities in need. The family-owned and operated business is based in Dutchess County, in New York’s Hudson Valley region. With highly trained providers and staff members, PAZ affiliates currently own and operate three assisted living facilities, a licensed home care agency, as well as housing and commercial spaces, all dedicated to enhancing the communities they serve. Through its affiliates, PAZ has developed and managed a wide range of projects, including historic renovations and residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.