Regency Assisted Living in Glen Cove celebrates 30 years of service

For many senior citizens, moving into an assisted living facility is a big change, and most associate senior living communities as drab nursing homes. But at the Regency at Glen Cove, which celebrated their 30th anniversary in June, that narrative couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Mary Davidson moved to the Regency a year ago, and although at first she was hesitant about living there, she said she got used to her new lifestyle quickly.

“We keep pretty busy,” Davidson said. “There’s entertainment and Bingo, there’s a lot to do and I like it. The people are very friendly, and the food is excellent.”

The Regency Assisted Living, located in the city’s downtown, opened its doors in 1993. It is licensed as an assisted living residence with an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence license, as well as a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence license, which allows residents to comfortably “age in place.”

The Regency’s location in the city’s downtown affords residents with a vibrant lifestyle within walking distance of some of the city’s finest restaurants, movie theatre, nearby shopping and is a short car ride to the city’s parks waterfront. The facility offers discussion groups, outings to local zoos and gardens, and brings in actors who embody the spirits of Elvis Presley and the cast of the Honeymooners for entertainment. Its best feature, however, is the strong connections formed with staff and residents.

Care giving isn’t just about giving residents the support they need to take care of chores, medication, and daily needs. It’s about building a connection and relationship between residents and staff.

“The one thing that you can’t buy with money is the compassion and the love that comes from the people that work here,” Silvana Laferlita Gullo, the Regency’s human resources director, said. “When I walked in the door, there was so much warmth. The warmth that I felt and the way the residents responded, told me that they were very much loved and knew that this was a home, not a hotel.”

Gullo was tasked with helping her mother find an assisted living facility before she worked at the Regency. She had visited other assisted living facilities in the county and was surprised by the level of care and dedication demonstrated by the staff. She said she wouldn’t hire anyone who seems like they don’t truly care about the wellbeing of residents.

“I saw the difference between my mother when she was with aids that loved her versus aids that were there for the money,” Gullo said. “It makes a tremendous difference in somebody’s life.”

Mercy Merlos is a home health aide at the Regency. Although she worked as an aid in other assisted living centers on Long Island, she decided to start her career at the regency as a receptionist because she wanted to take a break as a residential aid. But when she began to form close friendships with residents she had a change of heart and resumed her duties as an aide.

“Other jobs that I’ve had as an aide, I’ve always felt stressed or sad,” Merlos said. “Here, it doesn’t feel like work to me. Sometimes I feel like they’re my family.”

Stella Shank rose to the position of executive director after working for 28 years at the Regency doing other jobs. She said that because the Regency isn’t part of a larger corporation, the atmosphere feels more like a “mom and pop” atmosphere. Four years ago, the Regency underwent a $15 million project to expand its living areas, rather than placing prospective residents on a waiting list.

“Our residents are happy, and this is just an extension of their life that we look to enhance and take away the worries about cooking and cleaning and getting dressed,” Shank said. “That way they could truly concentrate on making connections, making friends and going to activities and enjoying their golden years.”