Once again the Friends of McFadden were not disappointed.  The support for McFadden Manor was evident by the turnout at the recent Friends of McFadden meeting (March 23rd).  The meeting was attended by family members, staff, concerned Malden residents, a member of the Geriatric Authority, a City Councilor and two representatives of the Mass Senior Action Council. We are enthusiastic and hopeful the Geriatric Authority will be successful in getting the license tranferred to them to oversee  McFadden Memorial Manor. 

Attorney Nancy McPheeters, a board member of the recently enacted Geriatric Authority of Malden, gave the group an update on the authority.  The following are the highlights of Attorney McPheeter’s talk:

The Geriatric Authority of Malden was enacted and signed into law at the end of 2008.  In January 2009 the City Council invited Malden citizens to submit their names for serving on the board.  The City Council appointed the following members to serve on the board:  Margaret Clarke, Billy Coleman, Dana Brown, Nancy McPheeters and Maueen Teal.  In addition, by virtue of their positions in the city, Chris DiPietro, Director of Human Servicek, and Chris Webb, Director of Public Health, also serve on the board.  The board began meeting February 9, 2009 and meet almost weekly.

Attorney Levine has been hired to help the authority and the city accomplish the transfer. This includes planning for, documenting and submitting all paperwork necessary for DPH approval.  Once of the key requirements is that the city must make McFadden a Medicare facility before any license is issued.  To make this happen some improvements must be made to the building (e.g. an isolcation room must be added).  Ruth Neeman, of Levi & Wong, is preparing the architectural and engineering plan.  This is being paid by the city.

The next step for the Geriatric Authority is to put together a 12-18 month budget, with one of the outcomes to show that McFadden Manor can be financially viable.  Dick Carr is preparing these reports for the boards review, based on several different scenarios, including new income provided by Medicare reimbursement.

The next meeting of the Geriatric Authority is Monday, March 30 at 4:ooPM in the meeting room at the new Senior Center.   This should be a very informative session as the agenda includes presentations by Ruth Neeman on physical changes and costs necessary for Medicare certification, Attorney Andy Levine on the process to transfer McFadden to the Geriatric Authority, and Dick Carr on the financial viability of transfer to the authority.  The session is open to the public.  Try to attend to learn more and to show your support.

Val 

Money from the stimulus package has been earmarked for long term care.  We need to make sure our representatives focus on McFadden Manor as one of the recipients. Mass Senior Action spoke to Congressman Markey’s office and told them that Friends of McFadden would be calling about funding. We need each and every one of you to call the Congressman and our Senators to tell them McFadden Memorial Manor will soon be run by the Geriatric Authority of Malden and no longer supported by the city of Malden.  We need money to survive.   The stimulus package has earmarked funds for long term care.  Ask them to find funding for the geriatric authority to keep quality care and quality jobs in their district. 

Congressman Ed Markey, 5 High Street, Suite 101, Medford, MA  02155   781-396-2900

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, US Senate, 2400 JFK Building, Boston, MA  02203   617-565-4470

Senator John F. Kerry, One Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA  02114,    617-565-8252  

It’s also important to contact Senator Tisei and Representatives Fallon and Donato and ask them to contact Congressman Markey and Senators Kennedy and Kerry.  Calls from our State representatives to our Federal representatives will help in getting the attention placed on McFadden Manor.  It’s also important to remind our State reps that McFadden Manor needs their help and support. Any state funding earmarked for jobs and/or employee benefits or long term care  is needed to keep McFadden Manor open.  We must keep our seniors in their home!  

Call Senator Tisei at 617-722-1206 or write to him at State House, Room 313, Boston, MA  02133. 

Representative Fallon can be reached at 617-722-2430 or write to him at State House, Room 236, Boston, MA  02133. 

The next meeting of Friends of McFadden is Monday, March 23, 2009 at 6:30PM.  The focus of the meeting will be on fundraising.  So bring your ideas.  We need you!   If you can’t make the meeting and would like additional information, contact McFadden Manor or email me at www. friendsofmcfadden@verizon.net.    Many thanks for your continued support.

Val