Lakeview still open, for now

After an investigation that confirmed "systemic" abuse and neglect at Lakeview Neurorehabilitation Center, the state has stopped new admissions - but current patients are still living at Lakeview.

The problem is a lack of alternatives for patients.  New Hampshire's community-based treatment system cannot accommodate all potential patients.  Lakeview is often a last chance for patients - from across the country - who may otherwise end up in jail or psychiatric hospitals.

The state Department of Health and Human Services is implementing all of the recommendations from the investigation and restructuring the department that licensed Lakeview.

Some advocates still argue that a lack of alternatives is no justification for keeping Lakeview open. 

"The Area Agencies and the state need to determine for how long they will allow inadequate care of their citizens to go on without measurable improvement. ... It is more difficult for New Hampshire to make an objective decision about Lakeview's future while it does not have sufficient community resources to fully respond to the needs of Lakeview's current residents," wrote Kathryn du Pree, the consultant that conducted the state investigation.