To move or not to move?

To move or not to move during a pandemic is a question on the minds of some Long Island seniors. Do senior living communities even allow people to move-in during a pandemic? Is moving to -- and living in -- a senior living community safe?

The answers are yes, yes, and yes, according to Elissa Gargone, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Jefferson’s Ferry, an active lifestyle community on Long Island.

Dottie and Tom Embler moved to Jefferson’s Ferry in the midst of the pandemic, on March 31, 2020. "There was a lot of anxiety,” recalled Tom. “We had sold our house and the new owners were very anxious to move in. We weren’t sure if we should postpone the move; we considered the possibility that we’d have to move in with one of Dottie’s children.”

The couple decided to stick with the original moving date. The movers were already scheduled and the staff at Jefferson’s Ferry was ready to lend a hand. “We felt very safe,” said Tom. “Everyone was wearing a mask. The staff was attentive; they hung our photos on the walls, hung curtains, anything we needed.”

More than 100 days into the coronavirus pandemic, communities like Jefferson’s Ferry have established and fine-tuned the stringent protocols and preventive measures to keep residents and employees safe while continuing to deliver on the promise of living your best retirement.

Resourcefulness & Creativity

Homemade meals prepared by the culinary team are delivered to residents' doors. The community’s Ferry Mart offers contactless delivery of essential items like milk, eggs, bread, paper goods and detergent. “We do everything we can to make the experience as pleasant and convenient as possible,” Gargone said.

A creative and resourceful Life Enrichment team helps maintain a sense of normalcy and keeps residents engaged. Group activities, programs and entertainment are, for now, replaced with virtual programming. The in-house broadcast channel offers residents access to art lectures, documentaries, exercise classes, chef demos, as well as movies, the ballet and the opera.
Jefferson’s Ferry residents are joining efforts as well. They created a “Zoom Room” so they could stay connected with family and friends. They share their talents, such as teaching and music, to entertain and enhance the lives of fellow residents.

Stony Brook Professor and resident Les Paldy, for example, streams his lectures on the community’s in-house broadcast channel for residents to view. Pianist and resident Doris Anne McMullen shares her pre-recorded piano concerts performed in her apartment the same way on the same channel, and also on the community’s Facebook page.

Doris explained that music has the power to create positive emotions and meaning in people’s lives. “I hope my music reaches whoever has a responsive spirit,” she said.

Moving in during the heightened social restrictions, the Emblers are eager to deepen their connections with their community even in this age of social distancing. “We are looking forward to meeting our neighbors, but now with the masks it’s hard,” said Dottie. Dottie and Tom have taken to walking in the gardens on Jefferson’s Ferry’s grounds. “It’s so pretty here,” she said.

“Now more than ever residents recognize the value of living in a senior living community,” said Gargone. “Anything we can do to keep residents engaged, healthy, active, and happy, we’re doing.”

“We appreciate the peace of mind and want for nothing,” Dottie and Tom said. “Everything is taken care of for us, and we definitely feel safe. We are glad to be here with the new (health and safety) guidelines in place.”

For more information about Jefferson’s Ferry or to learn from our local realtors about moving during a time social distancing, join one of several free virtual seminars hosted by Jefferson’s Ferry. To learn more, visit https://jeffersonsferry.org/events/

Jefferson’s Ferry is an award-winning, wellness-focused Life Plan community – the first on Long Island – inspiring those 62 years-old and better to live retirement their way through health programs and personal training, lifelong learning, social and cultural experiences, outdoor amenities and gardening areas, and access to hobbies and creative pursuits. Apartment and cottage homes are available, along with on-site medical services, assisted living, short- and long-term rehabilitation and memory care services. Visit www.jeffersonsferry.org or call 631-253-7950 for more information. Jefferson’s Ferry is located at One Jefferson Ferry Drive, South Setauket, NY.