June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Elder abuse takes many forms and is not always easy to recognize, even when it’s taking place right under your nose.  Vulnerable elderly could be easily financially exploited and marginalized at our own Adult Care Center. Their insurance and the taxpayers pay the same as if they were at a five-star facility, but what are they getting?  

The overall Medicare Compare rating for the facility is still one star, making it an entire year that the facility has been rated the worst rating possible. The rating for inspections includes the numbers of citations, complaints and ongoing investigations, which continue to pile up at the facility thanks to Infinitecare, which has been acting as the operator since 2021, with the majority of the Sullivan County Legislature fully complicit in the actions that have resulted in the deterioration of the facility. 

We continue to hear stories like the one we heard during a legislative meeting in May from a patient’s daughter about her mother, who was already suffering from severe disability, sitting for days blinded by a severe double eye infection which was ignored, left untended and untreated.  I’ve heard an even worse story recently of a patient self-harming while left unprotected.  Her injury required hospitalizations and amputation.

Our legislators are legally responsible for whatever happens at the ACC.  Today, and on Elder Abuse Awareness Day, spare one moment to think about the disabled elders who are residents at the Adult Care Center and what their lives are like now at the facility. 

Elder abuse can happen anywhere, any time people turn away from someone vulnerable who needs their help.  What can you do to help prevent elder abuse?  

Please, ask your legislator to take the ACC back to county management.  Sign the petition at  https://sign.moveon.org/p/saveACC.

Lise Kennedy lives in Neversink, NY.