Huntington Hospital Opens Reichert Family Caregiver Center

HUNTINGTON, NY — Huntington Hospital on Tuesday announced the Reichert Family Caregiver Center is complete.

The 550-square-foot space was designed to offer extra care outside of the hospital. It was funded by a $500,000 gift from the Charles and Helen Reichert Family Foundation, according to the hospital.

The center, in the main lobby of the hospital, offers room for caregivers to sit and talk with trained caregiver coaches who can offer resources to them as they manage the day-to-day demands and logistics of caring for a sick loved one.

"Huntington Hospital is extremely proud to open the Reichert Family Caregiver Center, which is available to staff, patients, visitors and our community members," said Nick Fitterman, MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital, via news release. "This center will be a destination for caregivers in our community to find resources and respite when they need assistance."

To start, the Reichert Family Caregiver Center will be staffed by a social worker, social work interns and volunteer coaches Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It has a quiet room with a recliner chair, a small meeting room, and a room with three chairs and a computer.

Trained volunteer coaches and a social worker will meet with family caregivers one-on-one to provide emotional support, discuss their concerns and needs, and guide them to resources in the community, said Kacey Farber, LMSW, program manager.

"For instance, if a loved one is in the hospital or recently discharged, we can maintain contact with the family caregiver to provide ongoing support," Farber said.

Other amenities include monthly webinars to introduce family caregivers to the need for and importance of self-care, caregiver resources, a Stay in Touch program and various support groups. These include a family caregiver support group, Dementia and Alzheimer’s support group, a COVID-19 Long Haulers support group, and a COVID-19 Bereavement support group.

“The home caregiver is the most important person to the patient and is often someone who sacrifices so much to care for their loved one,” Charles Reichert said. “Offering emotional and practical support to caregivers is critical, and we feel grateful to help make this support a reality for those in our community.”

The Reicherts have a long history of giving to Huntington Hospital, including the purchase of the hospital’s first 3D mammography machine and the naming of the Reichert Family Imaging Center, which allows the community to access diagnostic radiology services. The hospital’s emergency department was named the Reichert Emergency Department in honor of the family’s philanthropic investment.

“The Reicherts’ longstanding generosity has helped propel Huntington Hospital into a comprehensive medical center that offers patients the best care possible,” said Brian Lally, senior vice president and chief development officer at Northwell. “Philanthropy has the power to raise health in meaningful ways for individuals, their families and communities.”

The family’s support is an integral part of Northwell’s Outpacing the Impossible campaign, a $1 billion comprehensive fundraising effort to fuel innovation to advance health care and support Northwell’s promise to the people it serves. The campaign was launched in October 2018 and to date, has raised more than $900 million.