Something Terrible Happened
Less than two weeks ago a 75 year old woman plunged 17 storeys to her death in a flowerbed. This happened at the retirement centre where my father now lives. To crown it, a 90 year old man fell to his death from the same floor on Thursday.Being a fairly regular visitor at the centre at round about morning tea, I have met both these people. What puzzles me most is that these two persons still enjoyed a good quality of life, were financially independent and were well visited by their children.
The man and his wife – they were married 10 years ago in the retirement centre – were sorting mail as part of their usual daily routine when he said that he does not feel well and that he is going to their apartment. His wife told him to go and lie down and said she would join him as soon as she had finished the sorting
When she went up some 20 minutes later she found the chair in front of the open window. I think you can imagine the quality of health if he could still get onto a chair unaided.
Earlier this year another woman was found hanging half way out of a passage window; also on the 17th floor. When she was dragged back she explained that she was trying to see if her son’s car was parked below; they found a suicide note in her apartment.
And now I wonder how many more people will have to die before the management will do something about the situation. Why can’t they can fit burglar bars or some device to prevent the windows from opening wide enough!
Surely they could be held liable for failing to create a save environment for the residents.
Comments (49)
From what I see around here, the cuts in personnel and the difficulty to hire dedicated caregivers creates many problems.
Many are not watched over and when they ring for help, the caregivers are slow to show up. For many it is a job, not a career.
Yes, bars on windows could be seen as a solution, but unfortunately a trap in case of fire.
A sad state of affairs the world over.
So sorry to hear about this situation! Hopefully it will be resolved sooner than later.
My Monday just turned grey. I find this very disturbing and agree management should do something to prevent situations like that
Yes, I hope something can be done. This is a highly specialized luxury facility with with serviced apartments, meals and in house medical personnel. The residents are really being cared for well, but nobody can be guarded all day long. I just find it inexplicable. Three attempts in just more than six months. Two of them fatal.
Disturbing is not a strong enough word to describe my sentiment today, but as Z said; how far can you go without infringing on the privacy and freedom of others!
Welcome aboard.
Hmm, I guess you're right. It is just so bizarre that two people living three doors apart would follow the same procedure 9 days apart.
I work in the healthcare at an assistant living facility for the elderly. These people should be sued for negligence, I also agree that they should be held liable, your dealing with human beings.
I totally agree with you there. The facility may be sophisticated and classy but that does not give the staff the right not to take propper care of another human being when paid to do so.
So sad to hear those things
a save environment for us could be build by a close familial relationship, just a simple thought of mine
I should not think so, but to play it save I will make sure my dad does not slip up.
Yes, it is a sad event and something must be done to prevent the repetition of it, but these people are active and moving about. They have all kinds of facilities from playing cards to aerobics and indoor bowls. How do you keep tabs on everyone?
Those who are bedridden are kept at a different section and are really being cared for well.
For me, to live and not to live is a choice. we can choose either. i respect someone´s choice of ending "his own life".
as W Wallace said, "Every man dies. Not every man really lives.."
enjoy your day my friend, and a long life !
If prosecution would stop it, yes ok. But as somebody said earlier, if somebody wants to do away with the self a new way will be found. And now matter how much you sue for, what has happened cannot be undone.
But what I find the strangest of all is the lack of media reports. Nothing is said about this. I think I should notify the local newspapers about this.
The centre has a presence on the web and also on facebook; yet only silence.
That is the other strange part. These people were not neglected by their children and appeared happy enough. I make a point of having tea with my dad at least once a week and I got to see these people regularly; and their children. The old man's one son is older than what I am. Even he came to visit from time to time.
Does the retirement centre have some cloud, maybe there is a reason why they can keep it out of the local press.
I think Del answered you as well as I ever could.
I could not have said it better.
for my family ( and I think most of the family in Indonesia) it is a must as a child take care of the parents
Don't bank on it too much. The way I understand the devious ways of the devil he will give us super fast computers and a 16 kilobit/hour connection.
Yes, I think I get the point!
I hope I would never have to choose between that.
I'd rather have them overcooked than half baked.
I think I'll have a hard time there; I was married to his sister.
I don't think it will be an issue. We took him to some other places too and he did not like them. Other than that, you have to 'buy' the apartments here. It is a fairly permanent situation and he knows it. Besides, I have never known him to run away. I think he'd be ok. He was just very shocked.
You have some weird-looking broads in your album!
Looking at that photo, going upward would be a better choice if they have any vacancies.
I guess this picture might be the "kiss of death" for your blog Cat.