Caregiving

Continuing Trend: Private Investor Buys New York Public Nursing Home

Published on: October 10, 2013 | by Ettinger Law Firm

The face of long-term care in New York continues to change. In the past, when seniors were in need of close, around-the-clock care their main option was to move into a skilled nursing home in their community, usually owned by the county itself. These public facilities long acted as the main source of institutional support for ailing seniors.

But things are changing. For one thing, many more seniors are being proactive about their long-term care, creating elder law estate plans that ensure they have more options, including at-home care that allows them to age in place.

On top of that, more and more county owned and operated nursing homes are being sold off to private investors. Finances are at the center of the switch, as tight local budgets are making it very difficult for local policymakers to justify losing significant funds year over year on this care. Recent reports have underscored the situation, noting that virtually all of the county-run nursing homes in New York are operating in the red.

Two More NY Nursing Homes Fined for Poor Care

Published on: September 6, 2013 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Late last month we shared information on New York’s performance in a national Nursing Home Report Card. A non-profit organization compiled the list using a mountain of government data related to staffing ratios, inspection results, and more. Sadly, New York did not come out of the examination looking that great. In fact, the overall state nursing home care was given a grade of F and listed as one of the worst places for long-term care in the country.

Importantly, this condemnation of the state’s general care does not mean that every facility in New York is substandard. There are many very high quality facilities that work diligently to meet the needs of all New York seniors who need assistance on a daily basis.

However, the report is a reminder that there are vast differences in quality between homes. Simply picking any facility will not due. Those who want to guarantee quality support for elder loved ones need to take time to investigate options and make educated choices. Finances often play a role in available options, and so families are encouraged to explore long-term care insurance and similar strategies to ensure resources will be available for this care down the road.

NPR Story: Time to “Abolish” the Nursing Home

Published on: August 2, 2013 | by Ettinger Law Firm

It is no secret that the country is aging. More Americans are retiring and drifting into their golden years now then ever before. What’s more is that there is not a similarly-sized generation, meaning the percentage of elderly individuals is rising sharply.

All of this is leading many to evaluate the current state of elder care. As the population ages we will undoubtedly need more and more resources to provide the care that often comes with old age. For many, this is the first time that they have seriously considered the senior caregiving system in the United States–and many do not like what they see.

In fact, calls to create alternatives to the traditional nursing home system are louder now than they have ever been. For those who have sharp criticisms of the care provided to residents in these skilled nursing facilities, the idea of tens of millions more elderly loved ones being pushed into these facilities is frightening. As elder law attorneys often explain, the nursing home is usually the “last resort” for good reason.

Be Careful With “Pop Up” Senior Centers in New York

Published on: June 21, 2013 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Long-term care is big business. For many years now, companies that work in these fields have grown in size, scope, and influence, emerging as powerful entities making significant profits. There is nothing inherently good or bad about the changing nature of the industry so long quality, affordable options exist for seniors and their families.

Yet, in recent years observers have noticed that the increase in need for senior care services creates a natural business opportunity which are leading to some questionable practices. Take, for example, the growth of “pop up” senior centers in New York. The Brooklyn Eagle recently reported on these facilities and the scrutiny that is being directed their way.

City Council Questioning

Beefing Up New York Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs

Published on: June 17, 2013 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Over the last few years elder care advocates have issued a steady drumbeat of concern: mistreatment of seniors is on the rise. The rates of neglect and abuse are not necessarily rising, but the total number of seniors affected are–a product of the changing demographics. The problem is only expected to get worse in the coming years.

It is important to keep in mind that research consistently shows that even “minor” forms of neglect can prove deadly. The U.S. Department of Human Services’ Administration for Community Living points out the stark difference in morbidity rates for abused versus non-abused seniors. Even when split only between those who received adequate care and those who received “modest forms of abuse” there is a 300% increase in the death rate for the mistreated seniors.

In other words, even small difference between the quality of long-term care facilities–both nursing homes and less-intensive assisted living facilities–can have life or death consequences. All of this makes the process of choosing a proper facility a critical task for seniors and their families.