Musings: Harborside residents must keep stability
A deal to keep the Harborside in Port Washington open has fallen apart. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
I want to express frustration over the stalled sale of The Harborside retirement community in Port Washington. I have extensive experience working with individuals 65 and older across various care settings, particularly the home health setting, and I am the daughter of a resident.
I am deeply concerned about the treatment of our elderly during this process and how the system has failed them. While Gov. Kathy Hochul reassures us that families will be given options, the only acceptable solution is for residents to remain in their current homes, supported by the dedicated staff they trust.
These residents have already undergone the difficult transition from their homes to The Harborside, believing they were securing stability for their future care. Many, like my parents, spent their life savings to ensure they could age in dignity. This drawn-out process, which began in March 2023, has caused residents tremendous stress and fear about losing their homes and their hard-earned savings.
The blame game between the New York Department of Health and Life Care Service Communities, with LCS now considering pulling out of the sale, has only deepened the uncertainty for these vulnerable residents. The inaction of all parties involved is unacceptable.
Before moving to The Harborside, my parents lived in Queens, where they faced growing isolation and declining health. The move to The Harborside significantly improved their well-being, restoring their social connections and my mother’s independence. After my father’s passing, my mother found comfort and community there, and it has been her lifeline ever since.
The positive impact The Harborside has had on my mother’s life is undeniable. This sale must move forward immediately, with respect and urgency for the residents, their families, and the staff, who also face uncertainty. These residents deserve the stability they were promised, not additional stress in their final years.
The Department of Health, LCS, and elected officials need to act now. This is about more than property — it is about protecting people’s lives.
— Patti Heid, Lakeland, Florida
The writer is senior director of Best Practices & Compliance for Home Care Association of Florida.
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