There was a need. A serious need for ‘round-the-clock care for the elderly and infirm. 

Hymen Sitrin, his wife Clara and sister-in-law Florence answered that need. They purchased a stone house on a quiet, wooded hillside, and established a home for the elderly and infirm, naming it after Hymen’s brother and Florence’s late husband, Charles Theodore Sitrin, the president and general manager of National Accessories (later known as National Auto). Charles passed away unexpectedly at the age of 45, following surgery. 

It was, in fact, the very best kind of memorial – one that brought comfort and healing to others. Hymen, Clara and Florence would be shocked to see what their project, their gift of love and giving back, has grown into today. 

The “home” that started in 1951 with six residents soon grew to 30, providing personalized, compassionate care. Again, the need increased exponentially, and so did Sitrin. By 1992, Sitrin’s campus was home to more than 170 residents of all faiths and backgrounds. And, as we served an increasingly wide-ranging community, Sitrin led the way in offering services and capabilities never before available in the area, including the community’s first medically-affiliated Adult Day Health Care program, followed by residential housing for medically complex individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

Again, to answer the need, Sitrin opened a child care center in 1995, serving 24 children ages six weeks to 5 years. Among our most significant achievements, Sitrin established the first Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) in the tri-county area of Central New York in 1997. Soon after came the Dental Clinic, serving hundreds of patients each month. In 2001, the Sitrin STARS made their debut, offering a variety of adaptive sports for persons with physical disabilities. In 2003, Sitrin opened its new child care center, now able to accommodate 64 children. 

In 2009, Sitrin restructured its long-term care program, rightsizing a portion of beds to Assisted Living Services at Cedarbrook Enriched Housing and Assisted Living complex, offering 44 one-and two-bedroom apartments. Also that year, Sitrin debuted a new model of long-term care not widely offered in New York State; residents were moved to spacious, homelike quarters in one of nine Cape Cod-style houses with large, individual rooms. 

Shortly thereafter, we renovated the inpatient medical rehabilitation unit to 46 private rooms for short-term care. 

In the years following, Sitrin launched a military program, treating veterans and injured service members at no cost to the patient, established additional homes for medically-complex adults with developmental disabilities, and opened one of the few Neuro Care Units in the state treating ALS and Huntingtons’ patients. 

Lois Sitrin Grayck, the 92-year-old daughter of Hymen Sitrin, is in awe of what has been accomplished. Speaking to us from her Denver home, Lois said, “My father would be amazed at the buildings, the growth and the services that you provide! He felt very strongly that one should give back, and he worked very hard to establish the Home in 1951, in keeping with our ‘from generation to generation’ tradition.”  

In providing comfort for one generation, Sitrin grew to comfort the generations that followed. We’re pleased to know that Hymen would be proud, and we’re thankful to him for giving us our start nearly 75 years ago.