CBS Evening News Slams Assisted Living Facilities!
It's so great to see a major news organization tell a story about something you've been wishing they might take on! Last night, CBS Evening News ran a piece entitled "Assisted Living, Erratic Regulation" that really tells it like it is.
The story itself is great, but even more amazing are the comments. It seems that the assisted living industry mobilized members to criticize the story for being unfair, one-sided and inaccurate. NOT! The story was exactly right. But these people have so much to hide, no wonder they're nervous about being exposed. It's just tragic that the elderly, some of the most vulnerable members of our society, are the ones at risk. Bravo, CBS!!
The story itself is great, but even more amazing are the comments. It seems that the assisted living industry mobilized members to criticize the story for being unfair, one-sided and inaccurate. NOT! The story was exactly right. But these people have so much to hide, no wonder they're nervous about being exposed. It's just tragic that the elderly, some of the most vulnerable members of our society, are the ones at risk. Bravo, CBS!!
posted by moneysmith at 7:23 PM
2 Comments:
Very sorry to hear your story about your father. It sounds all too familiar. I am glad to see you write about the program and especially that you left a comment on the CBS website. I believe that getting the truth out there is the first step towards change.
I worked for an assisted living facility in MN (Brookdale Senior Living/Alterra Corporation). I do believe these things do go on in ALF's. I worked at one of the better places but there were still issues there. The facility had chemicals that were NOT locked up and any resident that was able to move on their own would have access to it. Often when residents go to bed, they are rarely checked not only to make sure they are alive and okay, but to toilet and change them. Frequently they were laying in urine soaked bedding, leading to skin breakdown. Dirty bedding is often not changed. There has been residents with dementia just walk away from the facility. Had police and neighbors not brought them back right away after they had left the facility, they could have wandered and drown in a nearby "pond" or been hit on the state highway. Peri cares are rarely ever done and residents get urinary tract infections frequently. Our director never followed HIPAA laws and information was frequently given out to other residents.
It is true. we research for cars and houses more than we do for our own loved ones. Family members should always research into the facility, talk to all staff, ask around, and talk to families of past residents or current residents.
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