Personal care homes in Kentucky serve as little more than warehouses for their mentally disabled residents, violating their right to live in communities that afford them more freedom and meaningful activities, a watchdog group contends in a new report.
“We’ve got to find a better way to serve folks with mental health issues,” said Marsha Hockensmith, executive director of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy, which produced the report released Monday.
It details a survey of 218 residents at 20 personal care homes throughout Kentucky. Hockensmith said she believes the findings represent overall conditions for the 4,400 people who live in 81 “free-standing” state-licensed facilities — meaning they are not part of a larger institution, such as a nursing home.
The report found that some personal care homes are dirty, in poor repair, restrict access — one kept residents behind a locked chain-link fence — and regiment meals, bedtimes and activities such as smoking breaks or telephone calls. Residents reported feeling isolated and having little involvement with the community.
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Report Critices Kentucky Care Homes
The problem is apparently the same in every state.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see any publicity that should bring about better conditions for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant article. It will help a lot of people. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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