The Willows welcomes Sen. Ortt for tour, chance to meet residents, staff

Photos by Ginny Kropf: State Sen. Rob Ortt chats with residents of The Willows. In front are Arden Dick, left, Joan Roberts and Charlie Ralph. At rear, from left, are Laura Ianni, Dave Nixon and Residents’ Council president Beverly Schultz.

MEDINA – The Willows, an assisted living facility for seniors, welcomed a visit from Satte Sen. Robert Ortt last week.

The Willows administrator Jacquie Morgante and administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak greeted the senator and his district director Andrew Dugan. Ortt then met the residents, answered questions and toured the facility.

Banaszak said the visit was precipitated by the New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living, who encourage lawmakers to visit these organizations in their district to learn more about adult care facilities and the different levels of care available in the area.

“The Willows is on the lowest level of adult care, meaning we provide supervision and medication management, but no nursing,” Morgante said. “We have a nurse who checks medications, orders meds and communicates with doctors.”

(Left) State Sen. Rob Ortt shakes hands with Sue Luxon, who last year was named “New York State’s Noble Caregiver of the Year.” (Right) Ortt is joined at The Willows by administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak, left, and administrator Jacquie Morgante as he greets residents during a visit last week.

Morgante said The Willows was just recently licensed as a respite care facility, meaning they have four beds designated for respite care for up to 120 days.

“It is private pay only, but we work with families to make it happen,” Banaszak said.

Since purchasing The Willows in November 2023, Morgante said they are trying to do more events for residents. They have purchased a trishaw bike (with seating in the front for a passenger).

Cycling Without Age Through Orleans County comes and takes residents for rides. Other Events include having magic shows and visiting animals, ordering out from local restaurants, ordering Polish food from a Clarence restaurant on Dyngus Day, visiting McDonalds, ordering treats from Hans’s Bakery and on Veterans’ Day giving out menus for Zambistro’s. A local minister comes once a week to do Bible study, which is popular, Banaszak said.

Ortt said getting out to see what’s available in his district helps him to learn what’s going on and make the right decisions when he has to vote on issues that come up in Albany.

“I’d rather be here than in Albany any day of the week,” he said. “I enjoy outreach, and it helps me out.”

Staff of The Willows posed with State Sen. Rob Ortt in front of the facility during his visit last week. From left are administrative assistant Jordan Banaszak, caregivers Mary Schaal and Sue Luxon, administrator Jacquie Morgante and caregivers Tanya Adams and Caren Eckerd.

Ortt toured the rooms, met the staff and chatted with residents, who had a myriad of questions. He was introduced to Sue Luxon, who last year was named New York State’s “Noble Caregiver of the Year.” Luxon is an original employee, who has been with The Willows for 28 years.

Resident Charlie Ralph shared his desire to see a tour boat on the canal, prompting Ortt to stress the benefits the Erie Canal provides.

“Any community which is not utilizing the canal for growth is missing the boat,” Ortt said.

The Willows is a 24-bed facility, of which 16 are now filled, Morgante shared.