Severely Developmentally Disabled: Are Large Care Facilities A Problem? (WSJ, KHN)

**_DH: [Kaiser Health News ][1]brings in a[ Wall Street Journal ][2]article about a Federal lawsuit against the State of Arkansas.  _**

_Quoting the WSJ:  "…The suit claims residents aren't being given enough of a chance to move to less-restrictive community settings—such as group homes or family dwellings with professional assistance—and alleges dangerous practices…"_

_ _

_**DH:** The Feds want Arkansas to disperse these severely disabled into smaller facilities or even back to their family home, if any._

**_Quoting the WSJ , here is the substance of the charges: _**

**_"…._**At Conway, the Justice Department has alleged that staff excessively used physical restraints that immobilized residents when the devices weren't justified. Justice-hired experts argued that medical care at Conway is dangerously subpar. Staff sometimes failed to recognize or treat drug side effects, resulting in the 2007 death of a man and two more recent near-fatal incidents, including one involving an 8-year-old, the filings said…."

_Sounds pretty serious._

_But why would the families put up a fight to keep the Conway facility open?_

_At the surface, not a political issue: A first lawsuit was brought down under the G.W. Bush administratio. This one under Obama's._

_As an illustrative point here is a group photo of adults with developmental disabilities. Obviously for such people to become them to become fulfiled and productive members of society will take some special surroundings._

![][3]

Severely Disabled Teens and Adults (happyhornets13)

**_ _**

_**DH:** **So one has to find a balance to wishful thinking and harsh reality. The key here the ability is to find the lowest threshold above which something can be done to have some degree of integration of the severly developmentally handicapped in society. Which mean that like it or not, for people below that threshold, institutions like Conway will be sorely needed**_

_What do you think? **[CONTACT US][4]**_

[1]: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2011/January/24/residential-treatment-lawsuit.aspx
[2]: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704307404576079750072401830.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth
[3]: http://happyhornets13.wikispaces.com/file/view/WHYY.jpg/34405321/WHYY.jpg
[4]: http://www.disahealth.com/?page_id=154

URL: http://www.disahealth.com/2011/01/24/best-setting-issues-for-the-severely-developmentally-disabled-wsjkhn/