DisElderly Conduct

Judy Karofsky provides a portrait of the elder care system in the United States that is both intricate and intimate. By sharing the story of her mother’s end of life, Karofsky helps readers navigate the complexities faced by children trying to help parents in their final years of assisted living and hospice. Karofsky’s search for comfort and dignity for her mother is often hampered by an industry that is frequently unresponsive and poorly regulated. This is a book that asks the question: ‘Why can’t we do better?” -- Norman Stockwell Publisher, The Progressive The author’s elderly mother’s journey from independent living and six assisted living facilities and hospice exposes the scam of long-term care in America. Assisted living facilities are 98 percent for-profit—earning 10 to 20 percent profit—have very few regulations, high staff turnover, and no onsite professional staff. Hospices are 70 percent for-profit with a 15 percent profit margin—a Medicare benefit, they are poorly monitored and their bright promise of a ‘good death’ is greatly dimmed by fraud and incompetence. -- Melanie G. Ramey, JD, MSW, Former Executive Director, Hospice Organization and Palliative Experts of Wisconsin (HOPE) A compelling narrative that passionately cries out for a better way to safeguard our most vulnerable. We learn the “better way” is significantly hindered when the profit motive is the driving force. DisElderly Conduct shows in a most powerful way the need for national reform of care for the elderly. -- Martin Schreiber Former Governor, State of Wisconsin, and author, My Two Elaines