My Mother passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at home.
Here is a copy of her obituary.
After reading her obituary, please be kind and read the rest of this page.
Thank you,
David
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My Mother passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at home. Here is a copy of her obituary. After reading her obituary, please be kind and read the rest of this page. Thank you, David |
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Click here for the newspaper article On September 17, 2002, he signed the bill into law that is intended to provide people the choice of residing in the "most integrated setting" -- generally at home, rather than in institutions. It could boost the quality of life for as many as 100,000 people statewide with all sorts of disabilities, including the elderly and people with AIDS. In the coming years, several times that number could benefit as baby boomers move into their sunset years. The bill summary includes a paragraph about the bill and how members of the Assembly voted. For other related bills, click here . |
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My Mom had been at a "Rehabilitation Center" near Kingston NY since the end of October 1999. She was sent there after 75 days in Saratoga Hospital (Saratoga Springs, NY). Within 24 hours of being in the hospital, she was given a tracheostomy and placed on a ventilator. She's had COPD since about 1993. Mom finally returned home on Wednesday May 8th, 2002. Mom and I were featured on the front page of our local newspaper, the "Post Star", from Glens Falls, NY. Click here to view a copy of the article. A few days after the article appeared, we were contacted by two local television stations (FOX and CBS) and two local radio stations (WGY in Schenectady, NY and WWSC in Glens Falls, NY). Mom declined to be interviewed by all of them. We were also featured in the newspaper in December 2001. After one year at home, Mom was still going strong. There were more road blocks put in front of me than what was mentioned in the newspaper articles. In June of 2000, a Social Worker at the "Rehabilitation Center" told us that the Respiratory Therapists did a series of tests and determined that Mom was capable of returning home. So why wasn't Mom released shortly after June of 2000 ? That's a good question. Mom had EPIC when she entered the "Rehabilitation Center". I asked the Social Worker in July 2000 if Mom could use her EPIC benefits for her medication. The written responce was that EPIC is only available to senior citizens who live out in the community. A written responce from NYS-DOH said "That's not true". The reply continued by saying EPIC is available to senior citizens anywhere within New York State. Another Social Worker in November of 2001 called me and said that a Visiting Nurse organization in Albany had been contacted and that they would be sending Nurses into our home to care for Mom and that it would be covered under Medicaid. I sent a confirming letter by registered mail to the Social Worker with a question, "When will these services begin". I never received a responce. I also sent a copy of the letter to this Visiting Nurse organization. They sent a note back to me saying they never heard of Betty Cranston (my Mom). I had a conversation with yet another Social Worker who said, "The Social Workers in your County are not doing enough." I responded with, "The Social Workers HERE are not doing enough." He said, "This is a private facility. My job is to help the residents who live here. It's up to family members to arrange for medical care at home." That's odd. Social Worker, as defined by the Federal Government says , "...They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients' needs after discharge by arranging for at-home services from meals-on-wheels to oxygen equipment." Below are some US Government links to webpages explaining why Mom (and others) have the legal right to have care in the most integrated community setting possible. This is based on the recent Supreme Court decision of Olmstead v. L. C., 119 S.Ct. 2176 (1999). This Supreme Court decision is helpful to those who are currently institutionalized. The Olmstead Decision is also important for people who are about to be institutionalized. If you have a loved one, or significant other, who wants to be home for their last remaining months (or years), fight for what you think is right. Please do NOT believe everything "they" tell you. "They" meaning employees of hospitals, nursing homes, respite homes and the like, along with Social Workers, Doctors, and other Professionals. Also, there's a lot of information they don't want you to know about too. The problems I mentioned above were just a few of the problems I encountered. Remember, they want to stay in business, so they have to make their money some how. One final comment I have to add... The Respiratory Therapists where Mom was located were top notch. The best anyone could ask for. And I thank them for everything they did. |
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Dept of Health and Human Services | January 14, 2000 - Letter to State Medicaid Directors. The Olmstead Decision... What is it? |
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services | May 31, 2000 - Letter to State Medicaid Directors. Nursing Home Transition Grants. |
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White House | June 19, 2001 - Executive Order by President Bush
Community based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities |
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Office of the Press Secretary | June 19, 2001 - Fact Sheet
President Bush Highlights Commitment to Americans wih Disabilities |
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