Families demand answers after two men with autism died in Arlington homes run by the same company

Tarastie , 8 months ago

As someone with family in a care home this is depressing but not for the reason this article is pushing for.

Family member with mental issues becomes so violent/disruptive/unmanageable they need police called on a regular basis.

Let’s put them in a care home with 20+ others the same way.

One/two months later

Why is this family member we never once visited having issues and how long has it been this way

Care is an issue but how are you not taking 5 minutes to see your own family. Ouch.

Salamendacious OP , 8 months ago

That aspect of the story was very sad. There are people though who don’t have families who are able to check in on them (dead, incarcerated, addicted, etc.) These facilities need to be staffed, compensated, trained, & run in such a way that’s safe for those living there. Regardless of whether or not someone is checking in on you.

girlfreddy , 8 months ago

Imo the real problem here is America’s privatizatiion of medical care, esp LTC homes. Why would a company do what is medically necessary to care for people when that costs more than doing the bare minimum … with staff having to follow cost-cutting protocols BEFORE calling an ambulance!

It’s no different than how for-profit jails let people die instead of paying for treatment.

America needs a complete overhaul of how capitalism works in medical care.

Salamendacious OP , 8 months ago

While I don’t disagree with you I think less systemic improvements could be made now. The kind of change you’re describing is incredibly important and long overdue, I just think that’s less likely given today’s political climate.

girlfreddy , 8 months ago

Unfortunately you’re probably right. But the fact remains that if gov’ts don’t clamp down on unfettered capitalism it will end up killing us all … probably through a combination of poisoned food and water, and a medical system that will save the rich but let the rest of America die.