Terrors of the Hood

The care of our elderly and disabled has changed in recent years. Instead of relying solely on large, institutional housing, there is a move to assisted living in a home-like setting. This change allows a more dignified and personalized existence for the person being cared for.

To make the assisted living idea work, group homes must be located among us in our very neighborhoods. It is sometimes appalling how even educated people resent the concept of a communal living facility in their neighborhoods.

The people in this image are the residents and staff of such a home. One of them is my father.

This home is located in an upscale neighborhood with doctors, lawyers and corporate executives as neighbors. The home is very clean and is consistent with the architecture of the area. The residents are well cared for and generally keep to themselves. If you didn’t know this was an assisted living facility you would never determine it from the outside.

The neighbors, however, have objected to the presence of this facility in their neighborhood. They state they do not want “that kind of people” for neighbors. They have harassed the owner and filed complaints with authorities. The zoning of this facility allows it to have up to five residents; they have always complied. There has never been a violation of any kind. Still, the harassment continues; you would think that the residents were members of a motorcycle gang or the like!

I wonder how those “upscale” neighbors will feel when it becomes their time to live where they can be assisted. Will they change their opinion? What about you, how would you feel about living next to the “Terrors of the Hood?”