Adult foster care home operator needs more than slap on wrist for violations
If, as a community, we are to be judged by how we care for the weakest among us, could someone please explain to me how Renaissance Community Homes continues to operate.
If a dog kennel in Washtenaw County had violations against it for neglecting to feed and water its animals, for failure to provide proper shelter, for burns inflicted upon animals, for beatings and abuse, and most grievously for death to an animal the shelter would be shut down. Not only would it be shut down but animal rights groups would be up in arms demanding action.
Does anyone remember the punishment that Michael Vicks received for running a dog fighting ring? Let me remind you -- 21 months spent in federal prison followed by 2 months of house arrest, a $2,500 fine, and he was required to pay $928,000 for the care of the animals confiscated.
Renaissance Community Homes has had to submit corrective action plans to ensure that they don't repeat the same violations. That isn't a slap on the wrist, it is a feather on the wrist.
I commend AnnArbor.com for writing this article. I hope that you will continue to follow the story. I also hope that you make the Washtenaw County community aware that there are good foster care facilities. Molly Ripley, who I knew, received stellar care at Bateson Residence. George Canfield, my uncle, was never as well cared for as when he was at the Thomas Home (Wayne county). To all those who work on behalf of the weakest among us, thank you.
Michelle L. Canfield
Saline
Comments
craigjjs
Mon, Aug 29, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
Nursing homes and related facilities are fertile grounds for abuse and negligence. One reason is that most, but not all, of these facilities are private businesses making most of their profit from Medicaid and other governmental programs. The governmental agencies seem to lack the will or desire to adequately regulate or supervise the facilities and, often, have much too friendly a relationship with the owners and executives. In New York, the Attorney General is investigating executive compensation paid by "non-profit" organizations after it was discovered that two brothers were paid over $1 million a year by their "non-profit" that operated nursing homes and similar facilities. It seems that, in this industry, the profit motive seems to result in low paid workers and overpaid executives. Perhaps, an investigation is in order here in Michigan.
trespass
Sun, Aug 28, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
The blame should be shared with the WCHO who continues to renew their contract with Renaissance and who's executive director says he doesn't know whether or not Renaissance provides good care. Isn't it his job to know if the contract that he is recommending for renewal provides good care? WCHO is a 50/50 partnership between the County and the U of M Hospitals. Molly's death should have been reported to the Medical Examiner's Office by UM since it was a suspected case of neglect of a vulnerable adult. However, the case was never reported to the ME's Office. Maybe it is time to look at the structure of WCHO and involve more healthcare organizations and patient advocates rather than letting the UM run the show.