Elderly at The Harborside need state help

The residents of The Harborside retirement community in Port Washington invested hundreds of thousands of dollars each into a home where they were promised the resources, peace and continuum of care they needed for the rest of their lives. Those 181 Long Island seniors, whose average age is 90, were counting on The Harborside.

Now they're in limbo, without any certainty as to what comes next. 

That's the tragedy of the mounting troubles at Harborside, which is in bankruptcy and in need of a new operator. As the state, the facility's leadership, and any potential future operator determine next steps, their top priority must be those residents, their current needs and their future well-being.

Gov. Kathy Hochul indicated Tuesday that she understood that, telling the editorial board: "Nothing will happen to the residents" and pledging the situation will be "resolved."

But it's unclear when resolution would come — and what it might look like.

The problems at Harborside aren't new. A year ago, the facility filed for bankruptcy protection for the third time. A would-be buyer — Life Care Services Communities, LLC — emerged last December, approved by federal bankruptcy court. But the situation grew more tenuous in recent months, first as LCS said it could wait no longer for necessary approvals and then as the state Department of Health rejected the application altogether, saying it contained outstanding "deficiencies" and  that it wasn't in compliance with state law.

Now, both Assemb. Gina Sillitti, a Democrat, and State Sen. Jack Martins, a Republican, are urging the state to reopen the application and try again to negotiate a solution with LCS. That seems like a reasonable ask but only if LCS, which wants to turn the initial nonprofit model into a for-profit one, can meet the requirements of state law.

If that's not possible, Harborside and the state must find alternate solutions, most likely by seeking another operator, while also taking a hard look at what types of economic models are feasible for the site. However, with Harborside suffering from ongoing liquidity issues, the state may have to step in with emergency funds to help cover short-term gaps.

In the center of a storm of blame and finger-pointing are vulnerable, elderly residents who just want to keep their residences and receive needed care. These residents shouldn't have to worry whether they'll have a home tomorrow. State officials should start by meeting with Harborside's residents and their families, explaining what happened, outlining next steps, providing clear reassurances, and establishing a specific game plan. Communication is key; its absence has left a vacuum filled by rampant rumors and legitimate worries. A clear resolution is needed as quickly as reasonably possible.

State officials are right to make sure Harborside's ultimate buyer can fulfill its obligations, meet Health Department requirements, and abide by state law. But as they struggle to come up with a solution, they must make sure Harborside's residents are secure.