Families and guardians of the 136 people still at the Monson Developmental Center, as well as three other state institutions, are preparing for a new battle. They are happy with conditions at the state-run facilities, but Gov. Deval L. Patrick has proposed closing Monson and three other facilities, including the Fernald Development Center in Waltham (in 2010), the Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury and the Templeton Developmental Center in Baldwinville.
In announcing the plan, the governor and the state Department of Health and Human Services touted "more community-living options for people with developmental disabilities." Residents of the institutions that are closing will transition to community settings or to one of two remaining facilities.
Dustie Gauthier, vice president of the Monson parents' and friends' group, and, with her husband, has served as a guardian to more than 150 residents: "The people here, it's like they are hand-picked. They are so dedicated. They take their jobs home with them."
Leaders of the Parents and Friends of Residents of the Monson center object to the idea, saying that the state has invested millions of dollars in the facility, which they now say is top notch.
The Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded also denounced the closure, with its president, David J. Hart, saying, "Moving a loved one into the community system might be a death sentence."
While the Patrick administration says the closures will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, family members say that life in privately run homes requires constant monitoring and oversight to ensure proper care.
Full Article and Source:
Kin of disabled start new fight
More information:
Spitz: A sister weighs the cost of change
Friends defend Glavin Center - DMR plan is scrutinized
Monson Developmental Center plans for future
In announcing the plan, the governor and the state Department of Health and Human Services touted "more community-living options for people with developmental disabilities." Residents of the institutions that are closing will transition to community settings or to one of two remaining facilities.
Dustie Gauthier, vice president of the Monson parents' and friends' group, and, with her husband, has served as a guardian to more than 150 residents: "The people here, it's like they are hand-picked. They are so dedicated. They take their jobs home with them."
Leaders of the Parents and Friends of Residents of the Monson center object to the idea, saying that the state has invested millions of dollars in the facility, which they now say is top notch.
The Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded also denounced the closure, with its president, David J. Hart, saying, "Moving a loved one into the community system might be a death sentence."
While the Patrick administration says the closures will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, family members say that life in privately run homes requires constant monitoring and oversight to ensure proper care.
Full Article and Source:
Kin of disabled start new fight
More information:
Spitz: A sister weighs the cost of change
Friends defend Glavin Center - DMR plan is scrutinized
Monson Developmental Center plans for future
2 comments:
I don't know how anyone can be happy with conditions at state run nursing homes or nursing homes in general. There are a few that "do it right", but only a few.
QUOTE:"While the Patrick administration says the closures will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, family members say that life in privately run homes requires constant monitoring and oversight to ensure proper care."
This article is BOGUS. Institutional Living is NOT for human beings. Dogs and cats aren't even happy living in a kennel, do you think people are? Duh! And what's this about 'family members say....privately run homes requires constant monitoring and oversight........! WHAT? Ya mean they don't in the WAREHOUSE/KENNEL?
Oh yea, they can lock the gate, I mean door. Put'em all in pods/pens and you only need one person as the 'warden'. I get it.
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