FAIRPORT, N.Y. – July 25 is the day that the remaining residents have to be out of the Northfield, a senior living facility operated by Family Service of Rochester. The non-profit announced it’s broke and closed all of its senior living programs, telling residents at The Northfield to find another place to live within 30 days. But for those who remain, that’s easier said than done.
Windsor Wade says his sister Sharon has loved her time at The Northfield. Now he’s desperate to find another place for her to live.
“She’s got very limited income. She’s got Social Security and two very small pensions,” Wade said.
Deanna Dewberry, News10NBC: “And she is one of these folks who is making too much for Medicaid but too little for most private pay places.”
Windsor Wade: “That’s right.”
Sharon suffers from dementia with schizophrenia-like symptoms, but Wade says on medication, she’s stable. Nevertheless, he can’t find a facility that will take her.
Northfield employees say she’s one of about 15 residents who have not yet found another place to live. In a recent meeting with residents, when pressed about what will happen to residents who can’t find a home by July 25, Family Service Board Chair Jean Lowe said the Department of Health had approved an emergency plan that included “closing the building and putting people into other housing that they haven’t picked. It might be shelters.”
Colleen Dooley, a Northfield resident who hasn’t yet found a home, was there.
“Isn’t that awful to give you that kind of an option, shelters. Oh my God,” Dooley said.
Did DOH really approve putting these seniors in homeless shelters? News10NBC emailed the Department of Health and a spokesman answered, “Family Services of Rochester must remain open until the last resident is safely discharged, consistent with state regulation, their approved voluntary closure plan and licensure requirements. Pursuant to Family Services of Rochester’s approved voluntary closure plan, Family Services of Rochester must work with residents to identify appropriate housing solutions that align with each residents’ preferences and individual needs, ensuring residents have sufficient time and support to make informed decisions about their next home and the services they choose.”
That didn’t answer the question of whether DOH considers putting these folks in a homeless shelter a safe discharge. The spokesman responded by emailing the same statement.
It’s a disheartening response for these family members.
Deanna Dewberry: “Because you all were so close as children it must be really difficult.”
Windsor Wade: “Yeah. Because she’s a really sweet woman. Life has not given her a good deck of cards.”
But what life has given her is a brother willing to fight for her.
“I will not allow her to be destitute. It will not happen,” Wade said.
News10NBC has had a number of questions for the Department of Health about the way these closures were handled. For example, the department’s guidelines mandate that DOH be given 120 days’ notice of the closure plan. But Family Service gave Northfield residents 30 days and residents at Danforth and Hudson Ridge Towers were given 10 days. Of course, all the residents interviewed have said that a shelter is out of the question. News10NBC will keep following this situation.
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Consumer Investigation: Facility Leader says Seniors may be Sent to Shelters if They can’t Find Another Home WHEC.com.
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