http://www.people.com/people/a.../0,,20279378,00.html

Evidently Brooke Shield's mother is suffering from dementia and has been placed by her daughter in an assisted living facility. The family signed permission for friends to visit and to check her out of the facility for visits. So a National Enquirer reporter and photographer checked her out of the facility and drove her around town to get a story.

You know, looking at other accounts, I'm equally appalled by some of the comments left relative to this. People complaining about the fact that Teri Shields was in an ALF rather than at home with a 24 hour staff, etc. They have NO CLUE!

I'm just so angry about this. I'm angry that the press will take advantage in this way. I don't blame Brooke; we have similar orders for my MIL. We want her friends and family to visit, take her to lunch, etc.

I'm angry about how ignorant many people are about elder and dementia issues. A condo in Beverly Hills with a 24 hour nurse is NOT necessarily superior to a good facility which can provide social opportunities, etc. which actually improve Teri's quality of life.

OK, I hadn't had my coffee yet when I first scanned it, but it is all right there. Of course the reporter will claim she asked to be taken out, she is unlikely to say differently. The police will not be able to do anything about this.

Your are right that the comments are a very interesting response to this situation. Quite a cross section.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobcat:
I understand about leaving permission open ended for friends and family, but this still seems odd. The reporter said he was her friend and she doesn't know any different because of the dementia, right? So who called the police and why?

As I understand it, the facility became concerned when they didn't return her within a few hours and called the family then the police.

quote:

I'm angry about how ignorant many people are about elder and dementia issues. A condo in Beverly Hills with a 24 hour nurse is NOT necessarily superior to a good facility which can provide social opportunities, etc. which actually improve Teri's quality of life.

So true. There are facilities that provide a better quality of life in many cases. I read through some of the comments and it looks like the tide has turned, many are defending her. I understand about leaving permission open ended for friends and family, but this still seems odd. The reporter said he was her friend and she doesn't know any different because of the dementia, right? So who called the police and why?

The poor dear will probably have a much more restricted life from now on. There are names for people like those reporters but there is a strict no profanity policy here.