NYS has started investigating senior centers for cases of abuse of government benefits. (Video image from Voices of NY / Graying in Color series)
In response to community outcry and reporting in the mainstream media, New York state finally started to investigate the suspected abuse of government benefits in adult day care centers. Some Chinese-operated adult day care centers in Brooklyn have even closed. Many in the adult care and health insurance fields approved of the government’s move, saying, “This day has finally arrived.”
However, as news spreads about particular Chinese adult day care centers violating rules, many in the community are worried that this will affect the image of Chinese Americans.
The director of one center in Queens called it a positive development that the state government is trying to regulate adult day care centers. She believes the government has good intentions in encouraging more adult day care centers to open, but that the industry lacks proper regulations and management. In addition, the threshold for entering this industry is low. People who have little relevant experience and qualifications could join the business.
According to the director, there is always something that needs improvement with every young industry. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call to set the field on the right track. She regrets that the recent news has drawn much attention to the Chinese adult day care centers and thinks it will tarnish the image of Chinese Americans, affecting the future development of the community. The director said that other adult day care centers also have problems, not just the Chinese ones, and hopes that the government will treat everyone fairly.
One Chinese person who works in the medical insurance industry exclaimed, “This day has finally arrived!” As an industry insider, she said that she had already noticed the problems within the industry.
“There are Chinese seniors who claim to have mobility problems and apply for benefits, but they are able to walk in and out of the adult day care center without a problem. They take food paid for by the government. Because of these people, the entire Chinese community is losing face,” she said.
According to the insider, long-term care and adult day care centers are responsible for these problems. They know that the adult day care centers are supposed to help those in need of home care, but instead, they attract healthy senior citizens to these centers. They should all be held accountable. She believes that due to budget cuts and the push for health care reform, the penalty for these violations will be severe. The fine will likely be used to finance health care reform.