Lantern Hill’s Medical Center Provides a Personalized Approach

Catherine Mendrzycki enjoyed a fulfilling career in education in New York, first as a teacher and then as a principal and assistant superintendent. “I loved every single day that I worked,” she recalls. After she retired, she decided it was time to move closer to her children.

Luckily, a few years prior, her son had placed a $1,000 refundable deposit so Catherine could join the Priority List at Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living community in New Providence, N.J.–not far from her children.

“My son is less than four miles away in Chatham, N.J., and my daughter is right here in New Providence, N.J.,” she says.

As a Priority List member, she learned more about the community’s array of activities and amenities, including the medical center staffed with full-time health care professionals. Knowing that she would have so many resources right outside her door, Catherine made the move to Lantern Hill in 2016.

“It was the best move I ever made!” says Catherine, who appreciates having access to convenient, senior-focused health care just steps from her residence.

Building relationships

Catherine and her neighbors benefit from a medical team that focuses on senior health care and builds relationships with patients.

“When you are my patient, it is my responsibility to take care of you, and since we don’t see patients outside of Lantern Hill, our sole focus is on the residents here,” says Dr. Sushmita Srivastav, the community’s medical director.

“When I moved away from New York and my doctors there, Dr. Srivastav became my primary care physician,” Catherine says. “I appreciate Dr. Srivastav and her team so much.”

Unlike the 15-minute turnaround time found in most medical practices, each staff member at the medical center forms relationships with patients and their families through meaningful appointments that are not rushed.

“I cannot say enough about them,” notes Catherine, who expressed special gratitude for Brianna Muro, medical assistant team leader. Other members of the team include Practice Administrator Jillian Tatis, Social Worker Kathi Hirsch, and Dr. Susan Frankel, all of whom are invaluable contributors to the medical center’s success.

An array of services

In addition to annual wellness visits, residents can schedule in-person appointments, telehealth check-ins, and home visits.

“I can usually get an appointment the same day or the next day, which is amazing,” says Catherine.

And residents who wish to continue seeing their existing primary care provider can still use the medical center for flu shots, and tests and screenings as needed.

Srivastav notes that residents can utilize the medical center for outpatient rehabilitation, physical therapy, podiatry (led by Christine Quinn), dermatology, psychiatry services, bloodwork, and occupational and speech therapy as well.

When Catherine experienced some health issues this past year, she was grateful to have the best of both worlds.

“No matter what I need in terms of specialists, [the medical center staff] help coordinate everything to make my life so much easier,” she says.

Continuum of care

Srivastav explains that by focusing on preventative medicine, residents are able to continue the activities and hobbies they enjoy in the community.

“We want to ensure our residents can live a lifestyle that’s as active as they want,” says Srivastav.

For residents who would benefit from some additional support, medical center staff can refer residents to the fitness center for activities such as tai chi or water aerobics for joint pain and increased flexibility.

And, should a resident’s health care needs ever change, higher levels of care are offered on campus at the continuing care neighborhood: skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care services.

All health care teams–from the medical center to the continuing care neighborhood–are integrated to offer residents the highest quality of care.

‘Taken care of’

In addition to taking excellent care of residents, the medical team at Lantern Hill prioritizes communication.

“I feel 100% safe here, which provides such peace of mind for my children,” says Catherine.

“I ask Dr. Srivastav to meet with my kids to keep them up to date, which they appreciate. I am so lucky to live here. Every day, the people here just want to make sure that I am being taken care of.”

To learn more about the benefits of moving to a maintenance-free community, visit LanternHill.com.

Written by Gregory J. Alexander