Here’s where you’ll find recent press releases and other important news from our senior living communities. If you have any questions about what you’ve read, please feel free to give us a call or email us. Get in touch.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2025
CONTACT: Sarah Morrow, PR/Communications Manager, 585.546.8439 x3716, sgmorrow@EpiscopalSeniorLife.org
Rochester, NY – September 3, 2025 – Episcopal SeniorLife Communities has been awarded a grant of $15,000 from the Golisano Foundation, one of the nation’s largest foundations dedicated to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
In partnership with the Golisano Foundation, The Arc of Monroe and Lifetime Assistance, Episcopal SeniorLife Communities (ESLC) will develop Talking About Dementia, a program that provides critical services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are living with dementia and their families to remain in their communities.
“We look forward to working with Episcopal SeniorLife Communities as they help our community’s older adults with IDD and dementia gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate the challenges that come with this diagnosis,” said Erica Dayton, Golisano Foundation’s Executive Director.
Talking About Dementia will pair ESLC’s newest initiative, Medicare’s Guiding an Improved Experience with a care consultant mentorship program to support people with IDD and dementia as well as their families and caregivers.
“We are incredibly grateful for an award from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation to support our Specialized Program for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities & Dementia.” Teresa Galbier, ESLC’s VP of Dementia Program Development.
“We are truly honored to be part of the grant for Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, which empowers people with IDD by providing essential dementia knowledge. This aligns seamlessly with our commitment to support our aging population who are living long, full lives. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important work and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.” Tracy Petrichick, President & CEO, The Arc of Monroe.
“As the number of adults with developmental disabilities living into their older years increases, more will face age-related health challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We commend the Golisano Foundation and we look forward to working with Episcopal SeniorLife Communities on this important initiative.” Bryan O’Donovan, President & CEO, Lifetime Assistance.
The project will highlight the importance of collaboration to broaden the range of choices and options for people with IDD and dementia by offering our entire array of community based specialized dementia programs, health and wellness services, and support and training programs. We will include people with IDD and dementia in the design and implementation, ensuring that the program is tailored to preferences and needs of the individuals served.
###
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities has been helping older adults live life to the fullest since 1868.
About Episcopal SeniorLife Communities:
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities (ESLC) is a faith-based, nonprofit operating a network of care and service programs for older adults consisting of three (3) lines of service (clinical support, housing, and community programs) across nine (9) campuses. ESLC’s mission is to support older adults and their families through life’s transitions and honor each individual’s unique desires, beliefs and values, thus fulfilling our pledge of “Life. Inspired every day.”
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities offers community wellness and dementia programs, supportive housing, Medicaid Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver Program, affordable and market rate housing, enriched housing, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, hospice and skilled nursing.
Visit us on the Web: EpiscopalSeniorLife.org
Check us out on: Facebook (@EpiscopalSeniorLife), X (Formerly Twitter) (@ESLC_Rochester), Instagram (@EpiscoaplSeniorLife) LinkedIn (@EpiscopalSeniorLifeCommunities)
The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence, and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of Paychex, Inc. —the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity, and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $100 million in gross assets, it awards about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
Episcopal SeniorLife resident, Bob Closs, or ‘Pastor Bob’, celebrated his 105th birthday on Wednesday. Born in 1920, Bob served in both World War II and the Korean War before entering the ministry at the age of 40 and becoming a pastor. See the full article and Pastor Bob’s interview here: WWII and Korean War veteran who became pastor at age 40 celebrates his 105th birthday – WHEC.com
A Rochester native who recently won tens of thousands of dollars on Jeopardy! shared his experience with residents at River Edge Manor last Friday.
Dave Bond of Henrietta appeared on the iconic quiz show earlier this month, with his winnings totaling $51,400.
The two-time winner visited ESLC sharing his unique experience, insights and some advice on trying out for the show.
“They have an online test, and it’s a pretty good simulation,” said Bond. “There are 50 questions and you have a few seconds to answer each question. If you do well with that, it’s a reasonable approximation for the show.”
Read the entire story from 13WHAM here.
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities (ESLC) continued its commitment to supporting the Rochester community by donating 1,500 pounds of groceries and personal items to The People’s Pantry. The donations, collected and packed by volunteers from ESLC’s various communities, were delivered on Thursday, December 12.
Michael Durfee, Executive Director and Keith Lewis of The People’s Pantry facilitated the pickup of these much-needed supplies. The People’s Pantry, guided by its mission to address food insecurity with dignity and compassion, will distribute the items to individuals and families in need across the Rochester area.
The event organizer, Diane Cotton, emphasized the importance of community collaboration in the fight against food insecurity. “Each year, we see an incredible outpouring of generosity from our residents, families and staff,” said Cotton. “It’s an honor to partner with The People’s Pantry to extend this kindness to those who need it most.”
In the latest edition of the Rochester Business Journal’s Senior Living and Long-term Care Supplement, experts from ESLC, Michelle Scipioni and Teresa Galbier speak to the ever-changing needs of baby boomers and how ESLC adapts and will adapt to those needs. Michelle Scipioni, Vice President of Independent Living talks about Ellen’s Place, ESLC’s 9th campus in Irondequoit that opened this past September, catering to health and wellness programming, community spaces and even a pickleball court – a popular favorite among baby boomers.
Teresa spoke to how dementia affects this generation and how ESLC approaches the ever-growing rise in dementia. “It’s really difficult to talk about Baby Boomers without talking about the impact that Alzheimer’s and other dementias are going to have on them,” said Teresa Galbier, Vice President of Dementia Program Development, Episcopal SeniorLife Communities.
“The No. 1 risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. So we’re looking at this population as they turn 65 and they’re now entering the age of the greatest risk for the disease.”
Episcopal SeniorLife Communities has been selected as one of 390 approved providers nationwide by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service to serve as a pilot site for the innovative Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) initiative in 2025. To read the full article click here.
Ellen’s Place, ESLC’s ninth campus in the Irondequoit neighborhood, welcomed its first residents earlier in September, yesterday we gathered to officially mark the ribbon-cutting on our new independent housing community. Residents, staff members, local legislation, the family of Ellen, board members and esteemed guests gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Barb Petro, a current resident at Ellen’s Place had some wonderful words to share about her experience, “Everything I admire about Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, their reputation, excellent staffing, and involvement in the community has proven to be true. Their reputation is excellent, the staff is outstanding and Ellen’s Place is actively becoming involved in the Irondequoit community.”
Ellen’s Place is a 55+ community that offers three apartment styles with both one-and-two-bedroom options. Located on the St. Cecilia Church Campus, there are 74 moderately priced apartments with on-site health and wellness programming through ESLC’s signature Neighborhood Program. See the full story from WHAM here.
ESLC’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament was a success – raising over $150,000 for the Workforce Development Fund. This fund is vital for ongoing professional development, emergency assistance and technology integration. Thank you to the 140+ golfers in attendance, the volunteers who made the day go off without a hitch, the vendors and generous donors – and also the employees who volunteered their time at different stations around the tournament. We are already excited for next year’s tournament!
See the coverage from WHEC on the golf tournament raising over $150,000 here.
Lisa Marcello, President/CEO was named to the Rochester Business Journal’s Power 30 Health Care List for 2024. See below for a snippet of Lisa’s interview with the RBJ – read the full RBJ article here.
Lisa Marcello, President/CEO and Jeff Sweeney, Vice President of Community Programs at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities recently commented in an article in the RBJ on helping families navigate the health care system. To learn more, see below.
The organization developed its neighborhood program, an effort to create community with programs for people in its own housing and independent older residents who live nearby. ESLC has nine programs in Monroe and Livingston counties where older adults can gather for health and wellness events, attend presentations on senior programs and services, and get peer support.
ESLC is part of the Monroe County Aging Alliance and sees itself as a convener rather than an agency that wants to do all things for all people.
“We want to be able to help people find the services and the care that they need that might already exist that maybe they don’t know about,” said Jeff Sweeney, vice president of community services for ESLC.
Lisa Marcello, president and CEO of ESLC, said the organization sees itself as educating seniors and their families about how to make care decisions before there’s a need to take action.
“If that discussion starts with the family earlier,” Marcello said, everyone involved is better equipped when loved ones have to step in. “They’ve already been introduced to an organization that will support them through those transitions.”
To read the full article, from RBJ click here.
This article ran Sunday, Feb. 4, in the Democrat & Chronicle and was submitted by Michael S. King, President & CEO at Jewish Senior Life on behalf of the Alliance for Senior Care members:
Lisa Marcello, President & CEO at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities
Glen Cooper, President & CEO at Friendly Senior Living
Michael McRae, President & CEO at St. Ann’s Community
Charlie Runyon, President & CEO at St. John’s
You can see the news article here. Governor Hochul doesn’t care about older adults in New York State. It’s the only plausible reason she would propose cuts to nursing home reimbursement in her budget delivered Jan. 16. With inadequate rates that already translate to a Medicaid funding gap of $810 million, cutting the long-term care sector by an additional $600 million or more indicates an alarming level of confusion in Albany.
New York nursing homes serve a critical role within the health care system. Approximately 97,000 New Yorkers and their families depend on them when care at home is no longer possible. Over 70% of residents in nursing homes rely on Medicaid to pay for their care, but the State is not honoring its end of that arrangement. The reality is that New York is ignoring its responsibility to properly fund the Medicaid rate; and in effect, is defaulting on this promise to care for our most vulnerable.
The impact extends to our local health care systems and paints a grim picture—
resulting in the hospitals’ inability to discharge patients in need of lower levels of care, extremely long emergency visit wait times, and EMTs waiting hours to move patients out of ambulances. Likewise, families reach out to us daily seeking care for their loved ones. Sadly, we are often forced to turn them away due to inadequate Medicaid funding. This trend is unsustainable. Why isn’t the care of the oldest members of our community—and the fastest growing population—a priority?
Since 2008, the rate has remained largely stagnant while costs have risen by more than 40%. Last year’s increase of 6.5% was the largest in decades, but that adjustment didn’t even cover last year’s cost increase due to the 8% inflation rate. After decades of underfunding, an $810 million funding gap persists—this is the dire reality.
Nursing home closures are happening at an accelerating pace, especially not-for-profit or county homes that have been in the community for generations. Over 90% of nursing homes in upstate New York are unable to cover operating costs; and 75% struggle to find sufficient staff to meet minimum staffing levels, making beds unavailable to those in need.
So, what is the Governor’s plan? There is no plan. It’s now up to our State Assembly and Senate representatives to clear up the Governor’s confusion and misplaced priorities. It’s time to face the risk of inaction, the damage of underfunding, and seeing our nursing homes have to close their doors. This, too, is reality.
© Episcopal SeniorLife Communities 2025
Content by Sally Dixon Concepts & Copy
Photography by WalterColleyImages.com
