My parents and over 200 other senior citizens are about to be kicked out of their home. Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa announced they are closing and demolishing their senior citizen apartment complex named Mercy Park. Many chose Mercy Park because it’s one of the few facilities that literally has a hospital in it’s backyard. Now, at the ages of 92 and 88, my parents are being forced to find a new home.

Mercy Medical Center has stated there are no immediate plans to develop the area -- only an undefined plan to expand the medical center in the future. With no immediate plans for the property, the right thing to do would be to stop accepting new residents and let people like my parents live out their remaining days in the place they call home.  

My parents are being told that some of their moving expenses will be covered, but that is little comfort when you consider the options. Not only will they lose the immediate hospital access, they will be forced into the difficult process of finding and being accepted into a new facility. The evicted residents will also likely face higher expenses. Mercy is more affordable than other facilities in the area. Then there is the moving -- a stressful and big life event at any age, but a health concern when you are as old as my parents. 

While it is Mercy’s land, this is a moment when they should live up to their name. There is nothing merciful about throwing senior citizens out of their home. Mercy should encourage those who want to move to do so. But for people like my parents, let them live out the few years they have left in their homes.

My parents and the 200 residents of Mercy Park need your help. Please sign and share the petition to show Mercy Medical Center they should let the residents of Mercy Park keep their homes. Thank you.