Cona Elder Law Honors Richard Keidel, Malverne, Caregiver of the Year

​CONA ELDER LAW HONORS RICHARD KEIDEL, MALVERNE, CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR
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Cona Elder Law, a leading elder law firm based in Melville, recently honored Richard Keidel, 80, and a Malverne resident since 1938, as the Caregiver of the Year. During the firm’s annual Caregiver Conference held at Hofstra University Law School, Jennifer Cona, Esq., managing partner at Cona Elder Law, presented Richard with a $ 100 gift card, flowers and a certificate. He was chosen out of more than twenty entries.

In an essay submitted by Richard’s daughter Jane, she paid tribute to her father who is a dedicated and constant caregiver to his wife Charlotte, 80, following her stroke two years ago.

Childhood sweethearts since 4th grade and voted best couple in their high school yearbook, Richard selflessly attends to his wife’s every need 24/7.  He takes care of her feeding, bathing and dressing, does physical therapy with her as well as administers her medication and more. When Charlotte was in the hospital or rehab, he was by her side day and night sleeping in a folding chair.

Although this is a daunting situation, Richard understands certain aspects of caregiving, especially when it comes to handling his wife’s medications.  He started his career as a pharmacist and later owned an ad agency specializing in the pharmaceutical industry.  But more than that – Richard provides his wife with the love, care and compassion that can only come from a spouse.

According to Richard, he is just happy to take care of his wife at home – where she is comfortable and in familiar surroundings – and so they can continue to be together.  “I keep everything in perspective and always think positively,” says Richard.  “Humor is the best medicine.”    Richard tries to make Charlotte’s life as happy as possible by taking her to the park, parades and other excursions by car.  

According to their daughter, Jane, who nominated Richard for the award, “My father constantly reminds my mother of the wonderful life they forged and the three successful children they raised,” explains Jane.  “My mother is the fortunate recipient of the most loving care any senior has ever had.”

“Richard exemplifies the selfless dedication it takes to be a caregiver, “ says Jennifer Cona, managing partner of Cona Elder Law.  “Richard sets the gold standard in caregiving.”

Cona Elder Law works with many families and sees untold numbers of caregivers who put their own lives on hold to perform the difficult and often thankless job of caregiving for a loved one.  By offering the Caregiver of the Year award, Cona Elder Law recognizes, honors and thanks extraordinary caregivers who go above and beyond the call of duty and give so much of themselves and their lives to help someone in need.

Genser Dubow Genser Dubow & Cona is recognized as a leading elder law and estate planning firm on Long Island.  The firm provides a full range of services and has been featured in many publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, L.I. Business News, Kiplinger’s, Reader's Digest and many others.   Cona Elder Law attorneys are frequent contributors to Newsday’s Act II “Ask the Expert” column and have appeared as guests on WNBC-TV, CNN-fn, News 12, News 55, Channel 21 "Act II With Newsday" and many radio stations including WOR, WCBS AM and WFAN.