We can't relax as everyone reopens

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 06/19/2020 - 17:12

Preventing hospitalization, death from COVID-19

Those of us who are elderly and/or disabled are at increased risk for COVID-19, especially those who live in public and subsidized multifamily housing, do now seek effective public health measures.

We must speak out at this time of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic out of concern for the well-being of tenants of public and subsidized housing for elderly and disabled residents.

Tags

COVID-19
elderly
disabled
public health

Vulnerable But Vigilant

Jerry Halberstadt Sat, 05/30/2020 - 15:42
Swans and cygnets
We elderly and disabled persons are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 because we have preexisting conditions which can make it harder to survive an infection. Our public and subsidized housing can become dangerous if COVID-19 enters. And medical protocols for dealing with scarce resources may doom us by withholding potentially life-saving treatments. As governments loosen restrictions on interactions in public spaces and allowing some services to begin serving the public, many people are relaxing their guard. But for those of us who are vulnerable, this is a time of increased danger and if we are to survive, we need to be more vigilant. So for us, we need to make every effort to avoid infection. Here's how.

Tags

bullying
disabled
COVID-19
public health
housing

Do Commonwealth Triage Protocols Apply Fair and Just Social Values to Elderly & Disabled?

Jerry Halberstadt Tue, 04/14/2020 - 01:00
The social norms that devalue people of age and disability are choices. The choices made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Crisis Standards of Care: Planning Guidance for the COVID-19 Pandemic attempt to avoid bias, but nevertheless are affected by bias. Other choices can and should be made.

Tags

elderly
disabled
COVID-19

Essential services for elderly & disabled

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 04/10/2020 - 17:25
White flowers, black tree, blue sky

We seek your advice and your assistance for our people, the 92,000 residents of the Commonwealth who live in public and subsidized housing for elderly and disabled persons.

We are looking for people with experience who can share their ideas and skills in order to develop solutions to the problems arising from social distancing, specially for elderly and disabled in public or subsidized housing communities.

Tags

elderly
disabled
housing
COVID-19

How We, Elderly & Disabled, Will Survive & Thrive Despite COVID-19

Jerry Halberstadt Wed, 03/18/2020 - 15:47
Image of COVID-19 virus showing spikes that seem like a 'crown'
We provide updated information about the risks of COVID-19 to the elderly and disabled living in public and subsidized housing; steps that each person can take; and best practices & protocols that should be followed by landlords and local housing authorities. Updated: June 9, 2020

Tags

housing
elderly
disabled
COVID-19

Commission on Bullying Invites Testimony

Jerry Halberstadt Wed, 06/21/2017 - 13:41
Grass, lit from behind

The Commission on Bullying of elderly and disabled persons in multifamily public and subsidized housing will hold "listening sessions" in the framework of hearings for the Olmstead plan in Boston on Monday, June 26 and in Springfield on Wednesday, June 28.

  • Testimony and comments wanted on Olmstead plan, bullying
  • Advise study of bullying
  • New elder abuse phone reporting system

Tags

bullying
elderly
disabled

Confronting Bullying with Caring and Empathy

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 11/20/2016 - 03:09
Robin Bonifas, PhD, the author of Bullying Among Older Adults
I strongly recommend Bullying Among Older Adults: How to Recognize and Address an Unseen Epidemic, a timely and important resource. There is much of value which could be adapted to settings with diverse clients including independent-living elderly and younger people living with disability, so it could be very helpful for managers, staff, and resident service coordinators working in multifamily subsidized housing. The primary audience consisting of administrators and professional staff in residential environments providing assistive, supportive, or nursing services will find this an essential guide to enhancing the quality of life and work in their residential communities.
Robin P. Bonifas et. al., Bullying Among Older Adults: How to Recognize and Address an Unseen Epidemic, (Baltimore:Health Professions Press, 2016).

Tags

bullying
elderly
disabled