The end of any era — like the demise of the steam locomotive, the steel industry, the family farm and the local general store — creates an adverse consequence.

Mental heath facilities — good, bad or indifferent — have given way to better treatment, patient care and greatly measured successes over the past 50 years.

The number of sprawling facilities that can easily handle large groups of needy and fragile individuals has dwindled greatly. Dixmont, Mayview, Warren State Hospital, Pennhurst and others have yielded to a vast array of local and neighborhood private and/or public facilities.

Many of those in need are still confined to their private domiciles under the care of aging parents and grandparents — destined for complete collapse as their caretakers pass on.

Many of these individuals can be seen today as homeless and vagrants. Hopelessly living a life of torture and ignored needs.

If Polk State Center or any other current center is allowed to be shuttered, our society will be forever diminished.