by Sharon Udasin
Staff Writer

Each day, Joyce Traina works with seniors who are straining to make ends meet while staying healthy — struggling with impossible life choices, like whether to fill this month’s prescription or stock up on nutritious foods.

Seniors all across the country are suffering the blows of the economic recession, and some are facing such detrimental decisions regarding their personal health and welfare.

Out of work and often physically unable to return, the elderly American population must survive on personal savings, meager pensions, government aid and family assistance when available. But Medicaid is only available to New Yorkers whose annual incomes fall below $13,800, often leaving those just above the poverty line scraping for alternative solutions, according to experts at local Jewish agencies.  Continue reading…