COLUMBIA, S.C. – A Push for Senior Safety
On a productive Monday evening, the Lexington Town Council gathered to tackle several pressing issues facing the community. Among them, a significant topic heated up discussions—advocating for a resolution aimed at ensuring the safety of seniors in their care facilities. This movement echoes a similar initiative championed by Lexington County District Three Council Member Darrell Hudson.
A Personal Inspiration
The inspiration behind this quest for enhanced safety measures stems from a deeply personal tragedy. Council Member Darrell Hudson shared his heart-wrenching story, one that many can relate to on some level. “This came to light to me when I lost my mom from neglect at an elderly care facility,” Hudson disclosed. His narrative unfolded back in 2019 when he visited his mother’s assisted living facility in Lexington County and found something that shook him to the core—his mother was nowhere to be found.
“She wasn’t in her room. Nobody knew where she was,” he recalled, paint a vivid picture of the panic that enveloped him that day. Tragically, after an exhaustive search, Hudson discovered his mother lying outside the facility with a serious head injury. This pivotal moment opened his eyes to the stark reality of nursing homes and elderly care facilities lacking necessary security measures.
The Lack Of Oversight
During his quest to understand how this could happen, Hudson uncovered an unsettling fact: the facility didn’t have any video surveillance to monitor the premises. Not only that, but there were also no laws requiring these essential safety measures in senior care facilities across the state.
In 2020, determined to prevent a similar tragedy from happening to other families, Hudson took action. He spearheaded a resolution calling on the South Carolina legislature to mandate the installation of cameras at all elderly care facilities, covering each entrance and exit. Fast forward to today, and despite past resolutions and support from other municipalities, South Carolina still lacks a law enforcing such crucial safety measures, much to Hudson’s dismay.
A Unanimous Support from the Council
At Monday’s town council meeting, members recognized the urgent need for change. They didn’t hesitate and voted unanimously to add their support to the existing resolution calling on state legislators to take action. Laurin Barnes, the Town of Lexington’s Communications Manager, indicated that the council members were eager to join the cause. “When there’s an issue, we want to support the Central Midlands COG and getting the legislature’s support for it. And so, we’re on-board with getting them what they need to make this happen,” she stated, emphasizing the council’s commitment to this essential community matter.
The Journey Ahead
As the evening wrapped up, Hudson shared his unwavering dedication to the cause. “As long as I’m breathing, I won’t give up on this legislation.” His determination resonates not just with the community but with families throughout South Carolina who hope for a safer environment for their loved ones in care facilities.
As this collective voice grows stronger, the Lexington Town Council aims to push the state legislature for meaningful changes. With each resolution and every meeting, the hope remains that no one will have to endure the pain that Hudson faced. The conversation around senior care is more vital now than ever, and it seems that the good people of Lexington are stepping up to ensure their community’s most vulnerable are protected.
