Gaps Found in Scrutiny of Assisted Living Homes

Newfound nursing home and assisted living neglect has been brought to the surface and facilities are under increasing federal scrutiny.  This is long overdue.

Assisted Living Facilities May Have Significant Gaps in Service

The New York Times reports today that, “Federal investigators say they have found huge gaps in the regulation of assisted living facilities, a shortfall that they say has potentially jeopardized the care of hundreds of thousands of people served by the booming industry.”

For years, we’ve seen the tragic consequences of these “huge gaps” that will be highlighted in a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. According to the story, the “report provides the most detailed look to date at the role of assisted living in Medicaid, one of the nation’s largest health care programs.”

We have found that several serious problems exist in the regulatory framework intended to protect these vulnerable residents including reporting requirements, investigative resources and follow-up, and an absence of established standards for care (e.g. staffing levels and training).

Congress hasn’t established standards for assisted living facilities comparable to those for nursing homes, done in 1987, which include:

• Increased nursing home residents’ rights
• Imposed new regulatory requirements
• Specified services nursing homes must provide residents

It’s good to see the GAO and Senators Susan Collins, Orrin Hatch, McCaskill and Warren looking into this issue.

If you suspect a loved one has been the victim of assisted living neglect or nursing home facility abuse, please contact us for a free consultation.  Our experienced Nursing Home and Assisted Living Neglect and Abuse attorneys know how to get the compensation you and your family deserve.

Call 1-800-CALL-SAM for your free consultation today.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/us/politics/assisted-living-gaps.html?smid=pl-share