Van Rensselaer Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing

12/29/2025

Santa's helpers were once again very generous to the VRM residents on our A1/B1 Memory Care Units. Ann Taylor and her friends ("Angels" as we like to call them) purchased over 85 pairs of pajamas for our residents living with Alzheimer's/ Dementia.

"Who doesn't enjoy a new pair of PJs to wear on Christmas morning, or any morning fir that matter," Ann says. This is the third year that Ann has taken it upon herself to organize the pajama drive for the residents, and the 1st year she expanded her efforts to include the B1 Memory Care Unit. It's Ann's way of saying, "Thank You" for the wonderful care that her parents received while living at the Manor during COVID.

We can't thank Ann and her many generous friends enough for their show of kindness during this season of giving!!

12/24/2025

In addition to our supportive community, the generosity of our residents' families has been keeping us busy this holiday season!

Mary Anne Farrell (daughter-in-law of resident Jack Farrell) and some of her fellow State Dept. of Health co-workers donated overflowing gift bags that were distributed throughout the facility by our Activities Aides, who were all decked-out in their festive onesies. Oh, what fun...

12/24/2025

'Ole St. Nick spotted again visiting residents and spreading holiday cheer.

12/24/2025

As a County-run facility, the Manor is grateful for assistance we often receive from other Rensselaer County Departments. This holiday season, we'd like to thank the Departments of Aging and Social Services for including our residents in their "Adopt a Senior" program, which provided 42 of our residents with gifts.

In addition, the Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency provided gifts, including nice warm winter coats, for our 37 residents who are Veterans. Thank you Director Chris Albert, along with Lonnie Warrington and Marc St. Germain, for the fabulous delivery yesterday.

12/24/2025

Residents enjoyed a recent visit from 'Ole St. Nick, who helped spread holiday cheer throughout the Manor.
Merry Christmas to all!

12/24/2025

The iconic poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" was first published in Troy, NY, by the Troy Sentinel over 200 years, ago!

12/22/2025

Congratulations to Shirley Potts who recently turned 100 years young! The milestone was celebrated with a family party and a Proclamation from County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

Longevity runs in Shirley's family: her sister who lives in Florida is 101 and her brother, Edward Palitsch, was a resident here at VRM until age 101!

12/22/2025

Ho, ho, ho!
VRM's Activities Team took residents to the see the lights and decorations at Schodack Island State Park, where they also had a visit from The Grinch and Santa!

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced today the $112 million renovation of Van Rensselaer Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility and was joined by two previous County Executives who were instrumental in the construction of the current facility in 1996: John Buono and Henry Zwack. Also on hand was the Director of Central Services, Jim Gordon, who provided more details about the scope of the project.

Please note that the photos here are the architects' renditions and are not exact specs. The project will begin in February of 2026 and is expected to take 24 months to complete.

12/11/2025

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced today a landmark project to renovate and improve the county's outstanding Van Rensselaer Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility.

The current 362-bed county-operated nursing home was opened in June of 1996 at a cost of $25 million. Beginning in February 2026, all 199,000 sq. ft. of the Manor will be will renovated at a cost of $112 million and take approximately 24 months to complete. The cost will be 85% reimbursed by NY State.

The two currently empty units (C1 and C2) will be refurbished first, and then serve as the temporary resident quarters while each of the other units are renovated two at a time. All residents will remain at VRM with as little disruption to their daily routines as possible. The new and improved VRM will also have a separate unit dedicated solely to rehabilitation.

Stay tuned - more info to come.

12/09/2025

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Groundskeeper Donny Ostrander has done a great job (as always!) decorating the outside of VRM. Our Activities Team recently took residents on a magical bus tour to see Christmas lights in Malta, and this past Saturday, residents rode the VRM bus in the Wynantskill Christmas Parade.