IRA Rollover extended to Dec. 31, 2011

by admin on February 24th, 2011

In December 2010 the U.S. Congress extended the IRA Rollover to December 31, 2011.  This act allows donors 70½ or older to make gifts up to $100,000 from their Traditional or Roth IRA directly to a charity without any federal tax implications this year. This law does not apply to a 401(k), 403(b) or other qualified pension accounts.

The donor does not have to pay income tax on the withdrawal, nor does the donor receive a charitable tax deduction.  Furthermore, the donation does not count against the maximum charitable gifts allowed in any year.  The withdrawal to make a charitable gift can be used to satisfy the IRA required minimum distribution required by law.

Please note:  IRA plan administrators must make the check in the name of the charity but can send the check to the donor for delivery.  For a sample letter or for more information about how to use your IRA or other assets to make charitable gifts, call the Niagara Lutheran Health  Foundation at 716-886-4377.

86 Employees Recognized in October 2010

by admin on November 24th, 2010

Eighty-six employees of the Niagara Lutheran Health System were recognized the end of October at the Niagara Lutheran Health System’s 22^nd annual Employee Recognition Dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.  They were honored for their years of dedication and commitment to caring for others.

Those with the most longevity are employed at the City of Buffalo campus, where the Health System’s motto of Caring ~ Heart & Soul for the elderly has been demonstrated for decades:

Many more employees, from both the Buffalo campus and The GreenFields Continuing Care Community in Lancaster, were honored for 20, 10, and 5 years with the organization.

In addition, four employees received the “Making a Difference” award in the form of a generous grant.  These awards are given to employees at each of the Health System’s affiliates who exemplify the Niagara Lutheran Health System’s dedication to serving others through its unique People First customer service initiative.

Lastly, $3,200 in grants and scholarships were awarded to ten exemplary employees from each of the affiliates through the Donald L. Broecker Memorial Trust. Awardees were nominated by staff members, residents, or resident family members.  Final selections were made by the trustees of the Donald L. Broecker Memorial Trust.

Tour of Homes at The GreenFields

by admin on September 8th, 2010

Residents of GreenField Manor (residential apartment homes) and GreenField Court (assisted living apartments) in Lancaster, NY, are opening their doors to share The GreenFields Life Style with others.  Join them on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Call 684-8400 for reservations.

Terry Buchwald – A Tribute to Elvis at The GreenFields July 14

by admin on July 12th, 2010

Join us at The GreenFields Gazebo this Wednesday — JULY 14 — for Terry Buchwald – A Tribute to Elvis .  The GreenFields Gazebo is located at 5949 Broadway in Lancaster — The music begins promptly at 6:30.   Bring your lawn chair and come enjoy a family friendly fun evening!  For more information, call 684-8400.  This concert is sponsored by Carpet Factory Outlet.

FREE Summer Concert Series

by admin on May 26th, 2010

The FREE GreenFields Summer Concert Series begins on June 30 at The GreenFields Gazebo.

Concerts are held every other Wednesday from June 30 through August 28 — and begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your lawn chair and come enjoy a family-friendly summer evening.

For more information, call 684-8400.

Recognizing our exceptional Employees & Volunteers

by admin on May 12th, 2010

Niagara Lutheran is fortunate to have many wonderful staff members and volunteers.  On Wednesday, May 12, the following individuals were recognized at the 33rd Annual Western New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (WNYAHSA) banquet.  They were honored for being selected as exemplary EMPLOYEES & VOLUNTEERS because of their dedication and devotion to the residents of the Niagara Lutheran Health System.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

Judith Hardie ~ Niagara Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center in Buffalo

Jackie Mikoley ~ Lutheran Church Home in Buffalo

Jim Kozlowski ~ GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lancaster

Marion Kosieracki ~ GreenField Manor and GreenField Court in Lancaster

EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Lynae Parker-Scott ~ Niagara Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center in Buffalo

Ethel Bobo ~ Lutheran Church Home in Buffalo

Isaac Wulf ~ GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lancaster

John Fiorella ~ GreenField Manor and GreenField Court in Lancaster

There is an online program that lets YOU tell lawmakers what our seniors need

by admin on April 7th, 2010

A Letter from Jurgen Arndt, President/CEO of the Niagara Lutheran Health System

As you are probably well aware, New York State is in a budget crisis and is proposing budget cuts that would be disastrous for health care providers like the Niagara Lutheran Health System.  Governor  Paterson’s most recent executive budget proposal calls for $1 Billion in health care provider taxes and cuts — on top of nearly $4 Billion in cuts ALREADY ENACTED over the last 2 years.  This latest round of cuts would be devastating to Niagara Lutheran and the communities we serve.

In January 2010, we finally received our Medicaid reimbursement rates that are effective back to April 2009.  The overall annual impact of these rates was a DECREASE in income of ($371,750) for 2009.

Unbelievably, the cuts just keep coming.  In his 2010-2011 executive budget the Governor has proposed cutting an additional $400 Million in long-term care funding, of which $140.2 Million would be from Nursing Homes like NLHRC.  These decreases would be in addition to the ones we received going back to April 2009.  The overall total 2010 impact of these changes is estimated to decrease our income by more than $687,750.

We, and other skilled nursing facilities like ours, need your help. We have to stand together and send our message out so that lawmakers simply cannot ignore it.

Here’s how you can help.

Our association with the not-for-profit group called the New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) and their grass-roots effort  called  “Partners in Quality – Families and Friends”  allows everyday people to be heard by lawmakers in Albany.  All you need is a compassionate heart and Internet access.

If you’d like to get involved, you can

• check out their new website devoted to this topic at www.respectnyseniors.org or www.NYAHSA.org
• send  your name and email address to my attention at NLHS, 64 Hager Street, Buffalo, New York  14208
• send an email to info@NiagaraLutheran.org indicating your interest in participating.  We will forward your information to them.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help and support.    ~ Jurgen A. Arndt, President/CEO, Niagara Lutheran Health System

NLHS is the lead article in April edition of “After 50″ magazine

by admin on April 2nd, 2010

We’ve been fortunate enough to have room in After 50 Magazine to explain all the services we provide and to tell people about our two locations and wonderful staff.  Be sure to grab your free copy and learn more about us.  We welcome your comments!

FREE Seminar- Identifying People at Risk for Falls

by admin on March 18th, 2010

Identifying Older Adults at Risk for FALLS  is the topic of a recently scheduled FREE seminar to be held at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center (5949 Broadway, Lancaster NY)  in March.

You will Learn how to predict and prevent disastrous falls for you or a loved one.  This is important because statistics show that one in three older adults will experience a life-changing fall this year.

Enjoy refreshments with us and have your questions answered by professionals.  The date is Wednesday, March 24, 2010, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Call 684-3000, ext. 320 to register.

This free seminar is part of the WNY Falls Prevention “Step up to Stop Falls” initiative. Presenters are from Learning Partners & the GreenFields Outpatient Clinic :

- Michele Karnes, MS, OTR

- Theresa Vallone, MS, OTR

- Dawn Rezak, PT, MBA, Dir Rehab Services

- Jackie Lipford-Kraus, PT, Assistant Dir. Rehab Services

Follow us on Facebook

by admin on February 12th, 2010

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN FIND US ON FACEBOOK:

• USE THE URL:  www.Facebook.com/niagaralutheran
• SEARCH ON FACEBOOK FOR:  Niagara Lutheran Health System (Official)

We hope you’ll check us out and become a Fan.  We’ll keep you up-to-date on happenings around the Health System, and we appreciate your comments.

If you’d like to be on our email list, just leave your email in a comment on this page or email an inquiry to:  foundation@niagaralutheran.org.

Thanks for your interest in Niagara Lutheran.