It was difficult not to be emotional when writing this “Volunteer of the Month” column about Chris Falso. His mother had debilitating health issues, as my mother did, so I was acutely aware of what Chris was feeling while telling his story.
Chris Falso was born in Syracuse, attended the Fayetteville-Manlius High School, and then went to work for his father and brother who own a heating and air-conditioning company.
Through the years, at his home in Erie Village, it was second nature for Chris to help his neighbors, some who were elderly. As he took walks through the neighborhood he brought in newspapers and the mail, and he shoveled sidewalks too. And, when he saw someone return from the grocery store, he helped them in with the packages.
When Chris’s mother began to fail, the family pitched in to help. Eventually, she weakened and needed help 24/7 and they realized she had to be in a nursing facility. Chris’s sister took the lead in searching for the right place. After weeks of visiting places in the Central New York area, one stood out, The Health Care Center at The Nottingham in Dewitt. She found that The Nottingham has an experienced healthcare staff that provides individualized care with Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists assisting residents to improve body strength, range of motion, ambulation, balancing, coordination, communication, swallowing and an overall improvement in activities of daily living.
After visiting his mother at The Nottingham Chris saw for himself what a wonderful place it was. He found the nursing staff, the kitchen staff, the maintenance people and even other volunteers and residents, were all very caring. It wasn’t long before he became one of those volunteers at The Nottingham, three days-a-week, eight hours-a-day.
Once, when Mrs. Falso became seriously ill, she was taken to the hospital. But, after a couple of days she asked to “go home,” and home to her meant The Nottingham. Chris said; “That’s how all of the residents feel.”
After Mrs. Falso passed away Chris stayed on as a volunteer. Through the past few years he became well acquainted with the other residents. He found out which ones liked to have dinner in their room, and which ones were cognizant enough to want to talk politics, and what activities they liked.
“It’s amazing how many planned activities there are at The Nottingham Health Care Center. And, at the residents’ request, some activities are available 24/7. The things most of them like are the trips to the Gannon’s Ice Cream Store, and going to restaurants for dinner,” Chris said.
Chris has learned to adapt to each resident’s needs. Some want to talk about current events, others can just talk about things from the past. Chris tries to pay a little more attention to residents who have no family, and no visitors. He spends a couple of hours each day wheeling them around. Most like to stop and look at the fish aquarium, and for rides outside on the patio. Chris said; “One time I was wheeling a resident when she asked to stop by the piano and she began playing like she never missed a beat. (Excuse the pun.)”
During the course of the interview for this column Chris Falso was very upbeat about his experiences volunteering at The Nottingham, and kept adding to his stories. “There is even a clambake outside that everyone likes, and they love going to the zoo. Its such a great atmosphere here because ‘nobody says no.’ Even the administrators and the aids take time to interact with the residents.”
Becky Bernys, recreational therapist at The Nottingham, keeps the residents mentally and physically busy with games like Jeopardy and bean bag toss. This is one reason why people come from places like New York City and Boston to stay at The Nottingham. Another reason may be there are times, due to special circumstances, that family members can stay in the resident’s room overnight, and they provide them with a cot and snacks.
To lighten up the atmosphere for everyone, Happy Hour is available for residents and family members. A little drink now and then doesn’t hurt.
When Chris wheels people in for Mass he comes away with the feeling, “Life is one big memory. There are the sad times for me too. After all, the residents are here for a reason. After one passes away, it leaves a hole in me, and a void at The Nottingham. But, the void is soon filled by people who need the care provided.”
John McKean, who’s mother was a resident at The Nottingham has this to add, “The staff is top notch almost without exception. I deem one individual/volunteer as being ‘off the charts’ in terms of an innate ability and competency to deliver consistent humanness and kindness to my mother, and others. He is inspiring. I am not one to give flowery praise, but if I were to construct the perfect volunteer for the Nottingham, or anywhere, I would create this person — Chris Falso. He played a critically important role to me and my family and had a significant impact on my mother’s happiness at the Nottingham. I know he had similar impact on all those he touched.”
Jay Wright recommended that Chris Falso be featured in this column as the Volunteer of the Month. “Chris is one of those people who managed to do volunteer work even when he was working. He gives part of his weekends to help out at The Nottingham Health Care Center and has a special rapport with the residents. His example might make others realize that even if you can’t give 30 or 40 hours a week to do volunteering, you can still do something meaningful and rewarding, as Chris is doing,” said Wright.
Chris Falso lives in East Syracuse. He is a sports enthusiast and coached basketball at the Holy Cross School and CBA. He also runs and works out, activities that get him ready for another day at The Nottingham Health Care Center.
For volunteer information at The Nottingham contact Becky Bernys at [email protected].
To recommend someone with a stellar record of volunteering to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein at [email protected] or 682-7162.
