Kentucky Personal Care Homes Under Scrutiny

A Kentucky watchdog group has released a report critical of personal care homes across the state.  The Kentucky Protection and Advocacy agency surveyed 218 residents at 20 personal care homes before releasing its findings yesterday. The group's report says residents, who are mostly mentally disabled, aren't allowed to live in a community atmosphere where they can fully communicate with non-disabled people and participate in meaningful activities.    Kentucky Protection and Advocacy Director Marsha Hockensmith says the report shows the need to "find a better way" to serve those residents.

“In Kentucky we’re continuing to fund and place individuals in very congregate segregated settings without exploring or developing more integrated services or supports,” Hockensmith said. 

In response, Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities President Ruby Jo Cummins Lubarsky says despite having limited funding, personal care homes are able to provide services that are valuable and needed.