THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 7, 2023 Page 19 REQUEST | FROM PAGE 17 eastbuildingproject.com/ 5. Claim: “Northeast Metro Tech is a responsible steward of our environment” Reality: It is very clear that environmental impact was never considered when choosing the site. Although we have minimal and dwindling natural resources left, avoiding clear-cutting a mature, virgin forest was NEVER prioritized by the committee. The special election took place in January 2022 to vote for the new school, but as of April 14, 2022 the New School Building Committee had not even walked the hilltop site. The “Questions and Answers” section on NortheastBuildingProject.com contained the following response to the question “How/why was the new school construction option chosen?”: “Options were evaluated by the SBC for their ability to satisfy the following key criteria: • Ability to accommodate educational delivery plan • Cost versus MBSA reimbursement and long-term value • Disruption to existing school’s operations • Flexibility of design to allow for change in the future / expansion potential • Final site layout: site access, vehicular circulation, safety & ~ Legal Notice ~ THE MALDEN HOUSING AUTHORITY 630 Salem Street Malden, MA 02148 PH: 781-322-3150 FAX: 781-322-3543 TDD: (800) 545-1833 x 103 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) will conduct Public Hearings to discuss and obtain input relative to the submission of the MHA’s Proposed FFY2024 Annual Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA Plan) as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). MHA will also concurrently conduct a Hearing to discuss its proposed DHDC FY2024 Annual Plan submission. During these hearings, proposed revisions to the MHA’s Section 8 Administrative Plan, Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy, Public Housing Lease and/ or House Rules, and planned HUD 5 Year and 2024 Annual Capital Fund Grant Program construction projects will be presented for discussion. State program policies and Capital Improvement Plan project work will also be discussed. MHA Resident Advisory Board Members, federal and state Public Housing Residents and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and state program voucher Participants, elected and other local government officials, representatives of social service agencies and advocacy groups, community leaders, concerned citizens and all other parties having interest in these hearings are invited to attend to express their priorities and concerns and/or offer comments and suggestions. These Hearings will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, beginning at 8:30 A.M. in the 630 Salem Street Community Room, which is accessible. Compliance with all public health guidance in effect at the time of these Hearings, if any, will be required. MHA will provide transportation to and from these Hearings for Forestdale and Springdale residents who wish to attend. Please call Executive Assistant, Debbie Lungo, at (781) 322-3164 prior to June 1, 2023 if you are a Forestdale or Springdale resident who wants MHA to provide transportation to and from these Hearings. For questions, please contact Executive Director, Stephen G. Finn, at (781) 322-3150. By: William P. Hurley, Chairperson MHA Board of Commissioners The MHA is an Equal Opportunity Housing Provider and a Drug and Smoke-Free Workplace security • Operating costs/maintenance The selected option was found to be most advantageous in all key criteria established above.” One key item NOT listed above is something along the lines of: • Minimal environmental impact Choosing the option that sacrifi ces 13.5 acres of Core forest habitat and over 2,000 trees, wetlands and vernal pools and all the benefi ts of all that natural beauty – simply to not disrupt the current athletic fi elds during construction, and to allow for a REQUEST| SEE PAGE 20 aavvyvy S avy avvy S oiorenniioor nior by Jim Miller How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to go about choosing an assisted living facility for my 86-year-old father? Since mom died last year, his health has declined to the point that he can’t live at home anymore but isn’t ready for a nursing home either. Searching Susan Dear Susan, If your dad needs help with things like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, managing his medications or just getting around, an assisted living facility is defi nitely a good option to consider. Assisted living facilities are residential communities that offer diff erent levels of health or personal care services for seniors who want or need help with daily living. There are nearly 29,000 assisted living communities (also called board and care, supportive-care or residential-care facilities) in the U.S. today, some of which are part of a retirement community or nursing home. Most facilities have anywhere between 10 and 100 suites, varying in size from a single room to a full apartment. And some even off er special memory care units for residents with dementia. To help you choose a good assisted living facility for your dad, here are some steps to follow. Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top assisted living communities in your area including your dad’s doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who’ve had a loved one in assisted living; or you can do an online search at Caring.com. Do some research: To research the communities on your list, put a call into your long-term care ombudsman. This is a government offi cial who investigates long-term care facility complaints and advocates for residents and their families. This person can help you fi nd the latest health inspection reports on specific assisted living facilities and can tell you which ones have had complaints or other problems in the past. To fi nd your local ombudsman visit LTCombudsman.org. Call the facilities: Once you’ve identifi ed a few good assisted living facilities, call them to see if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services your father needs. Tour your top choices: During your visit, notice the cleanliness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Also be sure to taste the food, and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It’s also a good idea to visit several times at different times of the day and diff erent days of the week to get a broader perspective. On your facility visit, get a copy of the admissions contract and the residence rules that outline the fees (and any extra charges), services and residents’ rights, and explanations for when a resident might be asked to leave because their condition has worsened, and they require more care than the facility can provide. Also, fi nd out their staff turnover rate, COVID infection-control procedures and if and when medical professionals are on site. To help you rate your visit, Caring.com off ers a checklist of questions that you can download and print at Caring.com/static/checklist-AL-tour.pdf. How to pay: Monthly costs for assisted living ranges anywhere from $2,500 to $6,000 or more, depending on where you live, the facility you choose, and the services provided. Since Medicare does not cover assisted living, most residents pay out-ofpocket from their own personal funds, and some have longterm care insurance policies. If your dad has limited fi nancial resources and can’t aff ord this, most states now have Medicaid waiver programs that help pay for assisted living. Or, if he’s a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefi t. To fi nd out about these programs, ask the assisted living facility director, or contact his local Medicaid offi ce (see Medicaid.gov) or the regional VA benefi t offi ce (800–827–1000). Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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