About NursingHomeFamilyCouncil.com
NursingHomeFamilyCouncil.com was created out of deep love, frustration, and a relentless desire for change.
For John Saverino, this isn’t just a website—it’s personal. It’s a response to the helplessness, loneliness, and heartbreak he felt as he fought for his mother, Irene, and his brother, Edward, in a system that often seemed unmoved by their suffering. It’s a place that should have existed back then—a community of people who understand, who listen, and who stand together.
A Journey No One Should Face Alone
In 1995, John’s mother, Irene, entered a Florida nursing home, where she was overmedicated into a near coma. After stabilizing, she was moved to assisted living, but the damage had been done. The combination of high doses of multiple psychotropic drugs caused what was essentially drug-induced dementia.
Over the next ten years, she lived in various facilities, each presenting new battles—some against neglect, some against unresponsive administrators, and others against a system that treated residents like numbers, not people.
Through it all, John was her only advocate. He was always watching, always questioning, always pushing for better care. But it felt isolating. At times, it seemed like no one else saw what he saw—or cared as much as he did. The system wasn’t built for families to have a voice.
Then, in 2008, tragedy struck again. John’s brother, Edward, suffered a severe anoxic brain injury in Alabama. He was given no chance of survival. But John refused to accept that. With persistence, advocacy, and the right medical interventions, Edward began to show signs of recovery.
Getting him back to New York was another battle—one that took fundraising, logistics, and sheer determination. When Edward finally arrived at a facility in Queens, John thought the hardest part was over. But doctors refused to follow the treatments that had helped Edward improve. Instead, they dismissed Alabama’s protocols, refused to consult with those who had helped him, and pushed their own approach—one that led to his rapid decline.
John fought. Hard. But the system was unyielding. Edward passed away a few agonizing months later.
A Family’s Fight for Change
Through all of this, John wasn’t entirely alone. His daughter, Kathleen, was there. As a child, she visited her grandmother, watching firsthand as her father fought battles no family should have to fight. She later visited her uncle Edward, though that experience was especially painful.
Today, Kathleen is more than a supporter—she is a partner in this mission. She brings compassion, understanding, and a deep personal connection to everything we do. While John handles the technical side of NursingHomeFamilyCouncil.com, Kathleen focuses on content, logistics, and member relationships. She’ll also be a familiar face in livestreams, podcasts, and videos, helping to make sure every member of our community feels heard and supported.
A Place That Should Have Existed Years Ago
For years, John thought about creating a place where families of nursing home residents could connect, support each other, and push for change. He knew no one person could change the system alone—but together, we could make a difference.
Today, NursingHomeFamilyCouncil.com is that place.
You Are Not Alone
We are not just a website—we are a community! A place where those who love and care for nursing home residents can:
✅ Share experiences and get support from those who truly understand
✅ Find resources to navigate the long-term care system with confidence
✅ Push for better care and advocate for our loved ones—together
If you’re here, you probably know the frustration, the helplessness, and the desire to do more.
We get it. We’ve been there.
And now, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Welcome to NursingHomeFamilyCouncil.com—where advocacy, information, and community come together.