Think it couldn't happen here?

To the editor:

Lady of some years went to the mailroom of her building. It had been a rainy day. She slipped and fell.

The doorman and others called an ambulance. After a week, she went home with set arm and an aide. Soon, she wanted to return to her former activities.

She visited an acupuncturist. She visited a rehab person. She grew very fond of these people. She gave to each her power of attorney.

She was told she could no longer afford to stay in her apartment. She informed them she had purchased this apartment years ago. They insisted. She was weak and old, and her protests were ignored.

When her neighbors rang her bell and called her phone, there was no answer. The police were called, but they had to have a reason to come, and there was none.

Friends located her at an assisted living facility. She was unhappy. The friends were informed that her stay had been paid for, and she could not be released to non-relatives.

After two weeks, the friends visited again. They were told she could not be released to non-relatives.

When the friends went again, they were informed she had died. No information would be given to non-relatives.

They said it couldn’t happen here. But it did.

Claire Lobel