I don't understand why this case example of fraud and abuse would not be investigated by the police!

There is a hole in this story!

A bit odd , how does the writer know what happened during the 4 years of silence? If the family changed the password then how does the writer know about that? But the bureaucracy style sounds familiar..

I have to agree with Diver!

If there were an actual problem, the money could be provided as an endowment rather than cash, and an ability to direct and authorize service delivery?

That way, there'd be a firewall between the funds and the family?

Are they being paid to care feed, wash, change dirty nappies and then wheel her into the shower etc, etc!

Which if handed to the government to provide as nursing home high care would likely cost as least as much, minus the 24 hour around the clock care? Where a single RN might be tasked with presiding over such service for a dozen or more, while on a 100 hour shift, replete with a cot, 2-3 rotated helpers and power naps!

My Father died in high care from what could have been serious malnutrition? A big man, he wasted away to resemble an emaciated POW. I visited fairly frequently to enquire how he was getting on and if he needed anything, chocolate, undies, toiletries, toothpaste, a day out at the usual family BBQ or just a drive in the country, which he enjoyed, when not angry with the world!

He died in hospital with a "Management" catheter fastened to the bed and golden staph!

Needless to say, my mother who retained her marbles, spent her last days but one, in the family home being attended 24/7 by yours truly for everything she couldn't manage! And given I considered it my privilege, without a single cent from government, for the decade she needed increasing assistance!

I believe the Author hasn't a clue on what is required to look after a disabled person, let alone a profoundly disabled one!? And seems to have her knickers in a knot, because they being paid to provide care?

So what if they then use their deserved salary to upgrade the family home and the environment of the profoundly disabled relative!?

And probably for less than what paid professionals would charge for comparable around the clock, total but entirely impersonal care!
Bean counters beware!
Alan B.

There are disabled people here who were liberated from a big institution . They grab food from whoever they can because the food was delivered uncontrolled in a free for all . There used to be electro therapy experiments not long ago , blasting voltage into the brain. good grief..

I am the author of the article. Just to clarify. There is no allocated salary to the family beyond a stipend for their time in hiring professional carers, which is about $15,000-$20,000 a year.

The $200,000 is provided in cash to the family to cover the cost of $25-$35 an hour to pay for professional disability care provided by others.

Karen is an ambulatory adult without an intellectual disability who requires carers for basic food preparation and dressing needs and transportation to and from work and university. She requires professional assistants to be able to communicate.

Police have responded to this case; however, investigations can be lengthy, and without a legal advocate, the process takes even longer. In the meantime, Karen is unable to exercise her right to communicate her needs to others.

Thank you Diver, Nick and Alan B for your comments. It is difficult sometimes to edit my research down to answer all questions in an article, particularly regarding a case with a lengthy history.

And yes, one excellent preventative solution is to ensure state auditors can examine bank accounts for large cash withdrawals that may indicate funds earmarked to hire professional disability carers are being diverted to mortgage payments and household expenses for non-disabled family members. Thank you again for your comments.