The system judging who belongs in a nursing home is “irrevocably broken,” Disability Rights New Jersey's report found.
At least 2,000 people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey are housed in nursing homes “contrary to their wishes” and in violation of their constitutional rights because the state does not properly evaluate their needs or give them the option of living more independently in a group home, a new report has found.
Far too many people with developmental disabilities — such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy — are housed in nursing homes, partly because of New Jersey’s “irrevocably broken” evaluation system, which fails to do what it should: “divert people with developmental disabilities from nursing homes whenever possible,” according to the report.
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are forced into nursing homes and are thus denied interactions with non-disabled people. A choice of one – a nursing home – is not a choice,” the report said. Disability Rights named only one nursing home as an example of this dismal existence: the Woodland Behavioral and Nursing Center in Andover, Sussex County,after a litany of complaints emerged during the pandemic, including mismanagement, infection control deficiencies and numerous violations residents’ civil rights. State data says 47 people with developmental disabilities lived at Woodland, according to the report.
Human Services spokeswoman Eva Loyaza-McBride said the department “welcomes Disability Rights New Jersey’s advocacy, appreciate their work in serving as a resource for individuals and families, and are reviewing this report.” But some improvements efforts are underway, she said.
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