Elderly treated worse than prisoners
I have recently been looking for a placement for my 88-year-old mother. She was given 30 days to leave an assisted living facility. After spending all of her cash and doing a spend down to receive Medicaid, they wanted her out, stating "We are here for profit ... Medicaid is not reimbursing."
There is virtually nothing out there. Recently, there was a joke going around on the Internet about prisoners being better treated than the elderly.
The Plan: Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in a nursing home. This way the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks. They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheelchairs, etc. and they'd receive money instead of paying it out.
They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance. Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes and bring their meals and snacks to their cell. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling, pool and education.
Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJ's and legal aid would be free, on request. Private, secure rooms for all, with an outdoor exercise yard and gardens.
The criminals would get cold food, be left all alone and unsupervised, lights off at 8 p.m. and showers once a week. They would live in a tiny room, pay $5,000 per month, and have no hope of ever getting out.
Surely, Sherman Hospital could put its old building to good use.
Nancy Sunderman
Former Sherman employee
St. Charles