Welcome to Mercy Care for the Adirondacks

Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy was established in 2007 as a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  It is responding to the emergent need to address in a holistic manner the health education, spiritual, and friendship needs of elders living in their own homes.  Mercy Care provides on a non-denominational basis the benefits of friendship, companionship, assistance, and spiritual care which is not or cannot be adequately provided by family or friends. 

Based in Lake Placid, NY its focus is on the Tri-Lakes region – Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, NY.  Eventually Mercy Care hopes to bring its service to the wider Adirondack region.

The need is growing.  The older population, individuals ages 65 and older, is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. Population.  It is also the most rapidly growing segment of New York State’s population.  By 2015, it is expected that the population in Essex County, NY, although expected to grow less than 4% overall between 2000 and 2015, is clearly going to be aging--with over a 25% increase in those over age 60, and a 32 increase in those over age 85.  Similar trends exist for Franklin County and throughout New York State. Today’s care for elders relies first and foremost on individuals and their families, who it is estimated provide 80 percent of care with no compensation.

Public health policies increasingly encourage more adequate care for elders in their own homes so as to preclude or delay more expensive care in nursing homes.  This objective is consistent with the desire of most aging people to remain in their own homes as long as possible. 

Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is a continuation of the mission of long-term care which the Sisters of Mercy have pursued in the Adirondacks since 1895 when they founded the Gabriels Sanitorium for tubercular patients.  In 1929 the Sisters founded Mercy General Hospital in Tupper Lake.  The mission became focused on long-term nursing care as Gabriels was succeeded in 1967 by the Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid, and in 1983 Mercy General Hospital in Tupper Lake became the Mercy Healthcare Center. On December 31, 2006 both skilled nursing facilities were purchased by the Adirondack Medical Center.  The Sisters of Mercy continue their love and comfort to elders in the Tri-Lakes through their new organization, Mercy Care for the Adirondacks.

We are currently conducting an Aging in Place in the Tri-Lakes survey.

We value your feedback, and would appreciate if you took a few moments to respond to some questions.

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