Care Facilities for the Elderly

I was saddened and angered by the report about the four homes for the elderly in Thousand Oaks that are being closed due to complaints of neglect.

My father-in-law, who suffers from dementia, was subjected to endless agonizing experiences at the hands of several of these so-called “care” facilities since we moved him from Iowa last year.

After moving him from one place to another, trying to find one that met at least minimum standards of care and dignity, we concluded that these elder cottage industries are nothing more than loosely regulated money-making operations run by people with little or no qualification to care for the elderly.

After the third move, we gave up. It was only by chance we found an excellent facility for him in Studio City.

The entire field of elder care needs to be reevaluated and tightly regulated. The negligence we witnessed over the past year was heartbreaking. Nothing but the highest of standards should be demanded of those who are entrusted with the care of our incapacitated elder loved ones.

Surely one of the most prosperous cities in the region can do better than this.

HUGH McMAHON, Thousand Oaks