Clinical Services

At Pathfinder Village, our specialized community provides an atmosphere conducive to a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally. Our high-quality clinical services are essential to maintaining a supportive environment and providing additional support services to individual residents when needed.

At Pathfinder Village we recognize and prioritize the fact that on-site skilled nursing care offers peace of mind to the families of residents. Participants in our Village programs (Pathfinder School, Camp Pathfinder, and Otsego Academy) all receive appropriate levels of nursing support, and our nurses are integral to identifying the changing needs of residents across the lifespan.

Each resident has a nurse case manager who acts as a healthcare advocate, providing direct and consultation services, managing routine and acute healthcare needs, and training staff. Established relationships with local health care providers ensure continuity of care, clarity of information and comfort for each resident.

Bassett Healthcare Network, of Cooperstown, NY and affiliated with Columbia University, is a longstanding partner of Pathfinder Village. The Village nursing department is overseen by a Bassett physician who serves as our Medical Director. The Medical Director meets regularly with our on-site nurses to review the health needs of all program participants.

Bassett Healthcare’s Edmeston clinic is located on our property. Here, residents access a Family Nurse Practitioner to address routine medical needs as well as minor illnesses such as colds and sore throats. Additionally, through established partnerships with local healthcare providers, some specialty services such as dental, podiatry, and dietary are provided on campus.

As the healthcare needs of our residents change with aging, Pathfinder Village has forged relationships with local providers of rehabilitation and hospice services, and has focused on staff training related to dementia and other age-related conditions.

We believe in a functional and holistic approach to behavior change. With knowledgeable professional staff and over 40 years of experience supporting people with Down syndrome, we recognize the value of reciprocal relationships and a sense of belonging for every member of our community.

We also know that at times being part of a larger community requires specialized support. We employ clinical skills, create a supportive atmosphere, and offer engaging activities with natural opportunities for independence. Examples of strategies employed at Pathfinder Village include:

• Environmental modifications
• Pre-teaching
• Self-management and self-regulation
• Visual aids
• Social stories
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Video modeling and/or journaling 

Each person-centered plan is developed to minimize challenging behaviors, encourage replacement behaviors, increase access to and participation in campus and community activities, and improve a person's quality of life. Collectively, our efforts lead residents on a path to positive behavior change.