Established in 1951, the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, Inc., located in New Hartford, NY, provides a vast array of services for people of all ages, abilities, and circumstances. First known for providing long-term care, Sitrin has expanded its services, and its main campus to more than 280 acres. Sitrin is a not-for-profit corporation.
Sitrin has a history of many “firsts” in its region:
- The first to open an Adult Day Health Care Program (social model) in 1973. ... Read More
Established in 1951, the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, Inc., located in New Hartford, NY, provides a vast array of services for people of all ages, abilities, and circumstances. First known for providing long-term care, Sitrin has expanded its services, and its main campus to more than 280 acres. Sitrin is a not-for-profit corporation.
Sitrin has a history of many “firsts” in its region:
- The first to open an Adult Day Health Care Program (social model) in 1973. Sitrin now has a medical model as well.
- In 1991, Sitrin opened two individualized residential alternatives (IRA) certified by the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for 24 adults with intellectual disabilities and medically complex conditions. Each residence has its own distinct style, but all feature comfortable living environments with amenities such as fireplaces, aquariums, skylights, and themed sensory rooms. Sitrin has expanded its IRAs and now operates six, four of which are located throughout Oneida County.
- In 1997, Sitrin opened the most comprehensive medical rehabilitation center in the region with a post-acute inpatient medical rehabilitation unit. At that time, Sitrin also implemented the first licensed Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) and Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Oneida County. Through its CORF, Sitrin offers occupational, physical, aquatic, and pediatric therapy, joint replacement therapy, post-surgical rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, speech-language pathology, psychology, sports rehabilitation, a wellness and aquatic center, and the Equili-BRAIN-ium Concussion Management Program.
- In 2000, Sitrin established a dental clinic.
- In 2001 Sitrin created the STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation & Sports) program offering individuals with physical disabilities opportunities to participate in a wide variety of recreational and Paralympic-level sports, such as wheelchair basketball, archery, road racing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, paddling, and adaptive shooting. Sitrin’s wheelchair curling team has represented the United States in World Wheelchair Championships and Paralympic Games throughout Canada and Europe including the Czech Republic, Finland, Ruyssia, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Vancouver and Prague. Sitrin has a second Paralympic-level sport and that’s biathlon, which combines target shooting with cross-country skiing. Sitrin is one of 140 Chapters of Move United, a national organization that promotes Paralympic sports throughout the U.S.
- In 2006, Sitrin acquired the former Camp Pioneer in nearby Frankfort, NY (142 acres with a 10-acre lake, campgrounds, cabin-like buildings and walking trails).
- In 2009, Sitrin was the first in the region to deinstitutionalize long-term care. Sitrin implemented a new model not widely offered in New York State. Its traditional institutional setting was replaced with nine Cape Cod-style homes (capacity: 12 residents live in eight homes and 14 residents live in one). Each resident has his/her own private bedroom and bathroom. The homes have fireplaces, high ceilings with large windows, a spacious dining area and kitchen, heated floors, among other amenities. All services are brought to the residents.
- In 2009, Sitrin opened Cedarbrook Village, an enriched housing and assisted living complex with 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
- In 2010, Sitrin renovated its inpatient medical rehabilitation unit and expanded to 46 private patient rooms; each room has its own private bathroom.
- In 2011, Sitrin created a comprehensive military rehabilitation program for post-9/11 veterans and service members. Sitrin's Military Rehabilitation Program is designed to treat individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive issues by addressing the specific needs of veterans and service members. Therapy and treatment options are personalized for each veteran based on military, combat, and reintegration experiences. Healing, resiliency, and rehabilitation are paramount, with a concentration on one-on-one comprehensive care and peer social engagement. Typical challenges faced by veterans are anxiety/depression, anger, avoidance, mood swings, sleep disturbance, cognitive fog, suicidal ideations, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, amputations, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Sitrin's program is different from conventional care. With an emphasis on combining traditional and non-traditional therapy techniques, the program focuses on goal-setting and specialized treatment regimens. Trauma-based healing is used to soothe a hypervigilant nervous system, relieve pain, increase social interactions, and engage veterans and service members in activities they enjoy. Treatment options include individual psychology, family integration therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, Ecotherapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy, dance/movement therapy, speech-language pathology, planned helpfulness, adaptive sports, horticulture and polarity therapy. Sitrin also introduced the Military-Civilian Coalition (MCC), which offers a series of free activities designed to empower and educate participants by promoting camaraderie, advocacy, and support. The MCC enables veterans and civilians to join forces. Their interactions through social and athletic endeavors provide unique healing experiences. Community building activities are offered each month, including fly fishing, biking, hiking, archery, target shooting, yoga, TRX training, snowshoeing, sculling, therapeutic hand drumming, specialized seminars, and more. In addition, each summer Sitrin hosts a free Warrior Retreat at Camp Sitrin for veterans and their family members. Throughout the weekend, veterans participate in fun-filled, team building activities, such as fort building, water relay races, ultimate Frisbee, fishing, cooking, and more. The natural setting provides a peaceful, relaxed environment for veterans and service members to come together and offer support to one another. Sitrin's Military Rehabilitation Program is funded in great part by donations and grants. Sitrin's Stars & Stripes Run~Walk for our Nation's Heroes is the primary fundraiser for Sitrin's Military Rehabilitation Program.
- In 2016, Sitrin opened Upstate New York’s first and only long-term care program for persons with Huntington’s Disease (HD) and ALS. There are 32 beds on this unit. In 2019, the Sitrin Health Care Center was presented with the Inaugural Long-Term Care Award. This was the first time the Huntington’s Disease Society of America recognized a long-term care facility for providing outstanding care to persons with Huntington’s Disease.
- In 2018, Sitrin opened a NeuroCare Outpatient Clinic for persons with HD and ALS.
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