Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Louisiana Braces For Deinstitutionalization


PINEVILLE, La. -- Some of them have lived in the cottages of Pinecrest most of their adult lives, with caregivers they trust and routines they've come to rely on and live by, with medicine and medical personnel nearby.
But many of the almost 500 residents at Pinecrest Supports and Services Center, a state institution for the mentally disabled here, will be moved elsewhere within the next year -- some to "community homes," others to bigger private-sector facilities, still others back home, with state financial assistance.
It's a transitional move by Louisiana and Gov. Bobby Jindal to cut per-patient costs, and to provide services to more people who need the help.
It's a disruption to longtime residents that is opposed strongly by some of the residents' family members.

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