The past year’s news has often included the failure of the Broward County Sheriff’s Department to prevent the bloodletting on Valentine’s Day 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. And it should be — these teens have started a movement in the United States. They’ve become activists and made us all ask — why can’t we keep our schools safe?
On Sept. 13, 2017, 15 people died at the Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center. Why? The generator didn’t work after Irma and there was no power. Twelve of the deaths were ultimately ruled homicides — a nice word for murder. Recently, an 87-year-old man had a $10,000 lien placed on his home because the electrical contractor who had installed his generator failed to obtain the required permit. (The total fine was $510.)
This, faithful readers, is why I am passionate about the rights of seniors. Twelve murders — all in the care of a state-licensed nursing home. All these people died a slow and painful death. Then Gov. Rick Scott revoked the home’s license, but that’s closing the barn door after the horses are gone. There’s no trial date or media inquiry.
An 87-year-old man, who buys a generator for hurricane protection (and the generator did just that) is punished by Miami-Dade County for the electrical contractor’s $510 mistake. The county cannot send someone to the home of a known senior who has never had a lapse in payment of taxes? It was Channel 10 News’ Leave it to Layron, who fixed the problem for him. Thank you, Layron!
Seniors aren’t sexy! The weatherbeaten, wrinkled faces don’t have the panache of the fresh-faced high schoolers whose future lies ahead. When was the last time we had an in-depth look at how seniors are treated in the United States? Well, fellow baby boomers — look in the mirror. Yes, we have botox and facelifts but the lines are still coming and so is Medicare and ignominy, unless we stay relevant. I say, let’s use the botox and facelifts to remind ourselves that we still have more money, more buying power and want to grow old having fun. Anyone can be sexy; the Kardashians have proven that. We need to be smart, then we can be sexy!
Exercise, stretch, read the news, learn to use the internet, plan your financial future and be sure there’s money for a party to celebrate your life.
Frances Reaves, Esq., a graduate of the University of Miami Law School, spent 10 years as a litigator/lobbyist. Today, she Is an accomplished business woman who, when her parents could no longer take care of themselves, learned the ins and outs of senior care (or the lack thereof). She founded Parent Your Parents to assist seniors and their children through the myriad pitfalls and options of “senior care” in the 21st Century. If you have any questions or comments contact Frances at hfrancesr@parentyourparents.com.
