Less Than Zero's research revealed that Metcalfe's Senior Care Home was a former hospice that housed Chinese and Filipino elders in their advanced stages of life.
By the time the neglect and abuse were reported by family members and other staff to the public and the local news, the damage was beyond repair. Too numerous to report, the elderly lay in their own feces and urine, already covered with bed sores. Not only was the place understaffed, but there weren't any rooms available, so patients were literally bedded wherever space could be found. Those spaces ended up being on the lawn that surrounded the facility, in the parking lot, and in the back lot where dumpsters lay overflowing with human waste and hazardous materials. The state condemned the facility and had it torn down. The lawsuits against the hospice were many, and the owners of the place hoped to keep everything locked in litigation for as long as possible. Still, the judge saw through the scheme, and Andrews CompCost paid out hundreds of millions to the families who, although they lived comfortably after the lawsuit, would have much preferred to have their deceased loved ones with them in the flesh. The problems began after the hospice was torn down and fenced off to prevent people from entering the area. Hired security who worked the day and evening shifts reported a feeling of unease and being assaulted with the horrible aroma of excrement and urine.Things were particularly difficult for the overnight security guards who claimed to hear distinct voices of people moaning in pain or begging for help. They also reported seeing people in hospital gowns or pajamas hobbling along in hazardous areas where no one was supposed to be. People of most denominations were called to perform blessings, or spiritual individuals were asked to perform a cleansing of the site, but nothing seemed to work. The strange activity continued unabated. Not long after the Metcalfe Senior Care Home opened with an elaborate blessing by a respected New Age Pastor, strange incidents ensued. Overnight staff reported missing patients. Working with security, they combed the care home and would often find those patients in their beds sleeping peacefully, but the beds were sometimes found on the lawn, in the parking lot, or in the back dumpster area.
"The spirits of those Chinese and Filipino elders need an apology," Vera said. "Not a blessing or an investigation. We should contact as many of the family members we can find and include them on this, if they want to be included, that is."
"That's a good idea," Derek said. "But man, what happened was horrible. I feel so bad for those people."
Dusty wiped her tears away, "Is that what's going to happen to our family members? To us? How bad does it have to be that you have to put your elders in a place like that? We should take care of what's ours, not subject them to a care home."
Polly rubbed Dusty's shoulder. "Every circumstance is different; no one can say how things are going to end up."
"What about you and Vera?" Dusty asked. "Are your kids gonna do that to you two?"
"That's why we stay as healthy as we can," Vera replied. "So when the time comes, we're not a burden to anyone. We've got a plan in place."
"It's something to think about," I nodded. "It seems like it's far off, but planning now might be a good idea, especially since we're all estranged from our own families."
There was a moment of silence and self-reflection between the five of us, which was merited considering the subject matter. "We can talk more in depth about it later, right now, let's start making calls to these family members."
"Do you think email too?" Derek asked.
"Calling is more personal," I replied. "Then voicemail, then email last. It's crucial that these people know our intention and that they know we care about what happened to their ohana. Once we've established that, we then ask them to meet in person, and we tell them the rest."
"I like that," Dusty said. "It's the least anyone can do or should do. I'm glad it's us."
...to be continued
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