Before the first month is up, we have lost a beloved family member of McFadden. She lived at the facility and was one of the first few to be transferred to a different facility. Though we feel no harm towards the new facility, we know the stress of transfer causes harm to the elderly. We offer condolences to the family.
It’s with great sadness that we report the City Council voted 7-4 not to fund McFadden Manor, thus closing the doors to this historic institution. Though we are saddened, the residents and employees are devastated. After all this time, how did it happen?
Sorry to say, but we believe it’s politics as usual. How could the City Council deny funding when last summer they voted 11-0 in favor of the Geriatric Authority enactment, knowing the Mayor committed $600,000 to fund McFadden? Where were the questions then about the old plant, the need for repairs and updates to the building? Why weren’t they concerned then that the administration was not proactively trying to keep the beds filled? Did they think the bill would fail before it was enacted?
No one could express enough good words or thank you’s to the local, state and federal officials who worked so hard to make this a reality. Congressman Markey and his staff have investigated the use of the million dollar grant, provided support and earmarked stimulus money to make this happen. Senator Tisei and Congressmen Fallon, Donato and Smith worked hard to get the Geriatric Authority enacted (against some interesting obstacles) and focused efforts on getting federal monies for McFadden. Councilmen Gary Christianson and Greg Lucey have worked hard to find a solution for McFadden to continue in the city of Malden. They worked behind the scenes to try to make the success happen.
Also, special thanks to Attorney McPheeters, who has worked 3+ years, pro bono, to find a workable solution to sustain McFadden. She developed a vision for a Senior Community that would have served all aspects of the senior population of Malden. Other members of the business community who worked with us pro bono to try to make this happen include: Bill Rucci and Ron Baptista of Rucci, Badarro and Barrett. Ron was instrumental in providing various financial projections for McFadden and also took the time to answer my many questions! Thank you! And thanks to Attorney Rob DeMarco. He helped with the paperwork for making Friends of McFadden a not-for-profit and assisted with our initial presentation to the City Council.
Also, special thanks to the the Mass Senior Action Council. Community Organizer, Pam Edwards, worked tirelessly to keep the doors open. She was able to mobilize the Friends of McFadden to garner community support as well as state and federal support. Howard McGowan also has supported our efforts in a tireless fashion. He continuously identified opportunities for solutions to obstacles and kept local business contacts, politicians and friends abreast of the situation and rallied for their support.
Thank you Sharon Tosto Esker from the Malden Observer. She covered our weekly meetings, followed up with city and state officials, and always presented our story in an unbiased fashion. Also thank you to the Editor of the Observer, Amanda Linehan for allowing Sharon to cover our story and now to the new Editor, Natalie Miller for continuing the coverage for us.
The biggest thank you’s go to the residents and employees of McFadden. Your faith in us making this happen helped fuel our spirits and kept us going. We are sorry to disappoint you.
And yet, here we are, watching the doors close. The litany by the councilors who couldn’t support McFadden was painful. The parking of the Fire Department vehicles in front of city hall was atrocious. The attendance at the meeting by the uniformed Fire Department personnel was shameful. They left immediately after the vote……so why were they there? The money the Mayor earmarked was from the leftover capital money from the Senior Center. It did not come from any operating budget nor did it impact headcount or monies from any department. It was money earmarked for seniors to be used for seniors. So WHY were the members of the fire department there? New fire trucks vs McFadden? Election year?
In closing, let’s make the next month as memorable and happy as we can for the residents. We will plan a huge bash to celebrate them and the employees. Let’s also do our best to assist in trying to find suitable housing.
With great sadness,
Val
Attend the City Council meeting, Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 7:00PM at Malden City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor. We must show the councilors the residents want to keep quality care in Malden.
Also, please contact the Councilors to express your support. Tell them we must continue to provide quality care in Malden. Please call and/or email them today. They vote next Tuesday!
Council President: Craig Spadafora 781-397-8988 cspadafora@cityofmalden.org
Councilor at Large: Paul Anderson 781-397-7130 panderson@cityofmalden.org
Councilor at Large: Greg Lucey 781-605-3290 gregluceyformalden@comcast.net
Ward 1: Gary Christenson 781-324-4820 gchristenson@cityofmalden.org
Ward 2: Paul Condon 781-322-9216 pcondon@cityofmalden.org
Ward 3: Paul DiPietro 781-322-5140 pdipietro@cityofmalden.org
Ward 4: James Nestor 781-324-2672 jnestor@cityofmalden.org
Ward 5: John Furlong 781-322-4718 jfurlong@cityofmalden.org
Ward 6: Neil Kinnon 781-321-1857 nkinnon@cityofmalden.org
Ward 7: Neil Anderson 781-321-3167 neilanderson7@comcast.net
Ward 8: Judith Bucci 781-480-4069 ward8info@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance. Please pass this information on to all family and friends. We can’t let them close the doors to McFadden…..we must keep our loved ones in their home.
We urgently need your help. Next Tuesday, May 19, 2009 the City Council will be voting on the fate of McFadden Manor. As you know, the Geriatric Authority of Malden is in the process of transferring the license from the City to the Authority. To do so and adhere to the requirments of the Department of Health, McFadden Manor must be Medicare approved. To make this happen, an isolation room and private bath must be added. To do this, the Authority needs $130,000. No Medicare room, no license transfer. Another requirement is the Authority must show they have money to keep the facility open. Last June, Mayor Howard committed $600,000 to fund McFadden. THis was money from the much talked about million dollar Federal Grant. After living under the threat of closure for the past 3+ years, and a period of time where no new residents were allowed in (a freeze), the headcount is down. The Geriatric AUthority has worked with an accountant for the past several months, and it looks like it will take 12-18 months to get back to full headcount. When this happens, the facility will break even. But, they need money to support the facility until that time.
Mayor Howard addressed the City Council last evening (Tuesday, May 12). He explained to them where the money would come from (capital money left from the Senior Center). It would not mean any cuts in any department. Attorney Levine, who is working on the license transfer, also addressed the Council, showing them the projections and plans to make the transfer happen.
KEEPING MCFADDEN OPEN SAVES THE HOME FOR 61 SENIORS AND DISABLED. IT ALSO KEEPS 66+ JOBS IN MALDEN. McFadden is the only nursing home geared to low income people…… IT HAS PROVIDED PHENOMENAL CARE TO those in need for over 200 years. It is one of the few facilities IN THE STATE that is not on the Medicare watch list (causing harm to patients). How can we let this facility be closed? How do we tell the most vulnerable they must leave their homes?
Please contact the Councilors at Large, your Ward Councilor, and all other Councilors. Tell them we must continue to provide quality care in Malden. Please call and/or email them today. They vote next Tuesday!
Council President: Craig Spadafora 781-397-8988 cspadafora@cityofmalden.org
Councilor at Large: Paul Anderson 781-397-7130 panderson@cityofmalden.org
Councilor at Large: Greg Lucey 781-605-3290 gregluceyformalden@comcast.net
Ward 1: Gary Christenson 781-324-4820 gchristenson@cityofmalden.org
Ward 2: Paul Condon 781-322-9216 pcondon@cityofmalden.org
Ward 3: Paul DiPietro 781-322-5140 pdipietro@cityofmalden.org
Ward 4: James Nestor 781-324-2672 jnestor@cityofmalden.org
Ward 5: John Furlong 781-322-4718 jfurlong@cityofmalden.org
Ward 6: Neil Kinnon 781-321-1857 nkinnon@cityofmalden.org
Ward 7: Neil Anderson 781-321-3167 neilanderson7@comcast.net
Ward 8: Judith Bucci 781-480-4069 ward8info@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance. Please pass this information on to all family and friends. We can’t let them close the doors to McFadden…..we must keep our loved ones in their home.
Valerie
CONTACT INFO: friendsofmcfadden@verizon.net or call me at 978-640-0169 THANKS!!!!!
The Geriatric Authority MAY be going before the City Council on Tuesday, May12. Mayor Howard has told the group they must get the start up money needed for McFadden through the approval of the City Council. We know money is tight. We also know the Mayor made a commitment of at least $600,000 in start up money for the facility.
The Geriatric Authority will not be able to get the license transferred unless they can show the state they can sustain operations while trying to fill the empty beds at McFadden. For over 2 years the situation has been precarious….will it close? stay open? New prospects have been put on “hold” pending the change in status…..that the Geriatric Authority will have the license transferred and the doors will stay open. They need time, namely 12-18 months to get the beds filled….. This will take about 1 million to sustain operations……..
We need to support this endeavor. Our loved ones’ home must remain. Let’s keep quality care in Malden. Circle your calendar for the tentative meeting on Tuesday evening. we should know this Friday whether they made the City Council agenda. We will let you know as soon as we know. Call your Councilors and the Mayor. Let them know Malden residents want and need to keep quality care in this city.