WBFO Older Adults News Desk

Senior care is a significant concern for many, and Western New York is no exception. A local expert offers her perspective after more than 20 years in the field.

State AG Letitia James says hidden owners have taken millions of dollars out of The Villages of Orleans since 2015 and provided bad care, including 23 COVID deaths. The nursing home had no comment.

Following a coordinated series of one-day strikes earlier this summer, workers at seven Western New York nursing homes have secured new contracts, but workers at two others are now set to go on even longer strikes.

Finding home care aides for New Yorkers living with dementia may only get more difficult in the years to come. New York has the largest home care aide shortage in the nation, while the number of New Yorkers living with dementia will increase 12% over the next three years.

At nursing homes across Western New York this week, workers clad in purple shirts and equipped with yellow flags can be found marching and chanting. Their biggest ask? A $15 starting rate for those who repair, cook and clean for the facilities.

Over 1,000 Western New York nursing home workers across 10 facilities are set to go on one-day strikes this week for higher wages.

Most prospective and active care workers are low-income women of color balancing family commitments and multiple jobs. So unpaid training can be a barrier for them to join the field, while tuition costs can be a barrier to eventually advancing to higher-paid care positions.

Reaction to the 2023 New York State budget continues, and older adult advocates are pleased that the $220 billion plan passed by lawmakers earlier this month expands Medicaid eligibility.

After a failed sale to a for-profit provider, Weinberg Campus officials say they have no plans to find another buyer and are committed to continuing to operate the over-century-old campus as an independent nonprofit.

New York nursing homes will see a Medicaid reimbursement rate increase under the new state budget passed over the weekend, but they argue it's still not enough.