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Austin State Supported Living Center Struggles To Improve Conditions
Posted on Jan 30, 2011
Since the United State Department of Justice intervened in 2009, an Austin state-supported living center for the mentally disabled and elderly has shown improvements. However, the independent monitors who are evaluating and reporting on the residential care center say that there are still many more improvements to be made and that patients are still in danger of abuse and neglect.
According to the American-Statesman, the Austin State Supported Living Center came under fire two years ago after a federal agency found that all thirteen of Texas’ state-run mental facilities were rife with instances of abuse, neglect issues, short-handed staffs, and high staff turnover rates. In a settlement agreement between the state and the United States, the two parties agreed to improve the system under the watchful eye of an independent third party.
Here’s the good news: the Austin living center has made good strides when it comes to filling vacant positions, keeping staff members working, and preventing such high job turnover rates.
Unfortunately, according to the first report by the independent monitors, the mental illness hospital did a poor job of monitoring patients – mostly because they were already busy or distracted by other patients at the time. In addition, the monitors noted that the residents were grouped inappropriately in a way that could promote patient abuse or injuries. Finally, they noted that many patients showing signs of medical issues and health problems, such as a chronic cough, were often not reported to doctors.
The monitors will continue to review the Austin Living Center every six months for the next several years.
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