Beacon, N.Y. – Nov. 12, 2009 - Joyce Lanier used to spend her days alone.

Sure, there would be the occasional outing to the store, but otherwise she was on her own.

That all changed a little over a year ago when she came to Elant. Now Joyce has friends, activities, and people who care about her health and well being.

“I came here for rehabilitation therapy and I found a home,” she said. “This isn’t the end for any of us. It’s a new beginning. I can’t be happier with Elant.”

Joyce told her tale to a packed house of over roughly 250 community members at Dutchess Manor during Elant’s Third Annual Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 12. The event was arranged to give attendees an expansive view of Elant’s new programs and diverse service options, including sub-acute and rehabilitation services, nursing home care, assisted living, a continuing care retirement community, adult day care, and community health services.

Town of Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones, a special guest of the event, said: “It is no secret that our aging population is growing. We are living longer, which is a blessing, but at what cost? Nationally, the U.S. population over age 65 is expected to double to more than 71 million in the next 20 years. Elant, you are not only a Godsend to seniors’ well-being, you also are a boon to our economy – the 1,200 or so jobs you provide at your locations throughout the Hudson Valley cannot be underestimated, especially in these difficult economic times.”

Guests of the breakfast were also treated to a 5-minute video created by Professor Dean Goldberg of Mount Saint Mary’s College Communication Arts program and several of his students. The presentation highlighted Elant’s rehabilitation programs – including interviews with several of Elant’s physical and occupational therapists.

“Often times seniors are the people society forgets, but not at Elant,” Donna Cornell, the chair of the Elant, Inc. Board of Directors, told the crowd. “Elant is here with an open heart to serve those in need. As a volunteer, that was certainly a mission I could sink my teeth into.”

A longtime Elant volunteer, Carmine Civitello, also shared with the group his 18-year history with Elant, that most recently included him becoming an Elant rehabilitation patient after he broke his leg.

When he arrived at Elant from Westchester Medical Center, Carmine was in a wheelchair. Then he moved on to a walker, and then to crutches, then to the day when he walked out of Elant on his own two feet.

“Just walking out the door was such a great thing, even though it was so simple,” Carmine recalled.

But his journey toward recovery didn’t stop there. Instead, the same therapists who worked with Carmine at Elant’s in-patient rehabilitation center also came to his house to continue his therapy regiment, and then provided similar services through a specialized out-patient program.

“I made it full circle with Elant,” Carmine said. “Now I’m back at Elant, but this time as a volunteer.”

The complimentary event was sponsored by Don Holzhammer of Northwestern Mutual and included support from the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, is a leading provider of services for older adults and chronically ill people of all ages. Elant is a comprehensive network of organizations that provides a full range of health and housing services to the Hudson Valley and beyond. On any given day, Elant serves more than 3,500 people through its network of communities, home care agencies, and services. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, and needs.