Wants Western State caretakers protected

I’m very familiar with Western State Hospital, Lakewood.

For many years I visited my muscular, violent, demented relative there, unannounced, at all hours. Western is really a prison for the violently demented who can’t be in society, or in prison with the sane. Our government commits these patients to Western.

I believe care there is top notch. Almost all are on government support. How does staff change a diaper on, hand feed, medicate, or dress the violent? Very kindly, with teams of 4-plus per my own eyes.

Patients do suddenly lash out. It was scary.

The talk again is to close Western. Then what? Where do we put the violently demented? Will officers safely feed him in the city jail and change his diaper?

Now, patients move to nursing homes when too old and weak to stand or strike. I suggest it is not cruel to drug them to calm, until they are weak enough for housing in a nursing home. Yes, it’s very sad; but protect their caretakers, who are such very special people who don’t deserve to be hurt.

This story was originally published December 6, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Wants Western State caretakers protected."