TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT It is never an easy decision to make decisions for another person when it is the other person who has to live with the consequences of those decisions. That is doubly true when there is not any family relation or close ties that bind you. When you…
Elder care advocates are understandably up in arms following reports about questionable evictions from a Brooklyn facility catering to seniors. The sad situation is a reminder of the continuing struggles faced by so many local families in their quest for quality, reliable long-term care and support. It is also a…
The face of New York nursing home care has been changing in recent years. The traditional model of individual counties throughout the state owning and operating facilities to provide care to ailing seniors is being phased out in may places. Instead, the counties are selling the homes to private companies…
Elder care is not one-size-fits-all. There are a wide range of different needs for seniors, from simple help with travel to extensive, around-the-clock medical support. Fortunately, more and more experts are working to accommodate many different needs, providing the ideal fit for residents that preserves individuality and freedom as much…
Nursing home horror stories abound, and everyone has likely heard some tale of seniors suffering neglect at a New York long-term care facility. It is for that reason that elder care advocates always suggest doing your homework before making a final decision about where to receive skilled nursing care. One…
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop for many reasons and are a sign of nursing home abuse. A bedsore forms in an area of the body where there is too little fat between the skin and the bone to cushion against forces of pressure. The common causes of bedsores…
We often emphasize the need for prudent elder care planning to ensure that your senior loved ones will have access to the best care possible, if necessary. Unfortunately, not all long-term care facilities are of the same quality. The poorest performing homes often make the same caregiving mistakes again and…
News regarding New York nursing home care in recent months has centered on one development–the privatization of formerly public-owned facilities. In the past, most New York counties owned and managed their own facilities to provide long-term care for seniors in their community. However, due to a range of factors, those…
The aging process is never easy–for the senior or their family. Thoughts of mortality aside, the challenge of dealing with the day to day vulnerabilities of elderly friends and family is something that is impossible to fully appreciate until you experience it first-hand. From figuring out how to get groceries,…
Checking Facebook, updating Twitter, adding a quick blog. These tasks are becoming ubiquitous among all New Yorkers, including older residents. Social media is a critical part of many lives, and it is the primary way that some stay in touch with family, friends, and acquaintances. However, the medium has risen…