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)
She is enough to put the fear of God into any sinner; can you imagine waking up next to her after a reckless night out? One of those when you cannot remember exactly how you got home.
I don't know if I can agree with you in this case. These people are being cared for very well. This morning I was still fuming, but now, with retrospect, I don't want to blame the staff. I have seen the patience they have with the residents.
These people are not so frail and still very active. You cannot police them all the way. It is not that the fella fell out of the window by accident; he climbed on a chair and jumped. He still played bridge with my father the previous night. How was anyone to know that he would take the plunge?
But really, this is not the case here. The people I referring to are being treated well. These are well-off people paying for their comfort; and the get what they are paying for. It is just a very sad thing that happened I wonder what can be done to prevent a repeat of it.
I share your concern about the way the elderly are treated in some places; I have been in old age homes where people were left in their own mess for hours.
I always enjoy gathering with people in such homes. They have an own cosy community and an interesting system. Still some people would never choose to land there. This should be respected more by the societies. Although in some countries there are no alternatives. In Austria alternatives are starting like having flats buit in areas wherein the families and single persons of all ages are integrated into joint activities and elder people are visited regularly by assistants, either by the government or from private institutions.
That sounds like an interesting idea, but I must stress the point again that the people here all have the choice of where they want to be. These are well-off people. I spoke to my dad earlier. He said the gentleman left a note. He was just tired of living; no reason to wait for death.