Latest news with #PaulLanzikos
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
What to look for when choosing an assisted living facility or nursing home
The process of finding safe, supportive, and dignified care for a loved one when they become a senior can be quite challenging. "It can be both emotionally draining as well as exhausting," said Paul Lanzikos, the co-founder of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts. "You're not looking for long term care just because you want to... There's a demand for it, there's a pressing need," he explained. Whether you're considering a nursing home, assisted living, or at-home care, AARP Massachusetts state director Jennifer Benson recommends using the company's services to help you make an informed decision. "We have a checklist of what to ask: Is the home safe? Do they need someone 24 hours a day or just a few hours a day to help with those activities of daily living," she said. While most families start looking for care in the midst of a crisis, Benson and Lanzikos agree the process shouldn't be rushed. "Start as early as possible to have these conversations to get a sense of what choices are on the table," Benson said. "It's always good to check with management about what their staffing ratios are," Lanzikos added. It's especially important after nine people died in Fall River Sunday night after a fire broke out at the assisted living Gabriel House. According to the mayor and an employee at the facility, there were 70 residents and just two staff members working. While Lanzikos says he was sad to hear the news, he wasn't surprised to learn about the staffing. "I wish I could tell you it's unheard of, but it's not," he said. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elder Affairs, the state does not require a minimum staffing level. "What the state says is that there should be a reasonable number, but it doesn't give a number or a ratio or anything like that," Benson explained. When choosing a location, she emphasized the importance of doing research and asking detailed questions. "Is it clean? Are there enough safety precautions as far as handrails? do they have a disaster or emergency plan?" Benson said. Lanzikos recommends utilizing state and local resources for support. If you have concerns about dangerously low staffing, "I would report it to the long-term care ombudsman," he said.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dignity Alliance calls for legislative action for elderly and disabled population
BOSTON (WWLP) – Advocates visited the State House in Boston on Tuesday to push for more long-term care reforms. Dignity Alliance Massachusetts held a 'Dignity Dozen + One' legislative briefing, showcasing 13 new bills that look to expand care options for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Dignity Alliance pursues change by advocating for legislative reform, policy changes, and stricter regulation in the long-term care sphere. Over $165,000 raised through 'Trees of Hope' for those in need of medical care The alliance was formed after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing homes–like the 75 deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers Home–with the intention of preventing similar tragedies in the future. Through these hardships, the group found a significant need for law reform surrounding long-term care facilities. 'The clinical practices, the business practices, the public policy, had not essentially changed in 50 years, in fact in some ways, more than 75 years,' said Paul Lanzikos, co-founder of the Dignity Alliance. In this fleet of bills are policies dealing with air conditioning in nursing homes, increasing personal needs allowances, and improved disease prevention and control, all with the underlying goal of restoring dignity to the commonwealth's elders and disabled population. Advocates had a clear message for the lawmakers who attended their briefing. 'Life and death are in your hands this year,' said Margaret Morganroth Gullette, author of 'American Eldercide.' The Dignity Alliance encouraged supporters to reach out to their local lawmakers to request they cosign on dignity-based legislation. These bills will be eligible to pass in the legislature until the end of this session in late 2026. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
