The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing today called Assisted Living Facilities: Understanding Long-Term Care Options for Older Adults, with the stated purpose by Chairman Robert P. Casey of exploring ways to "prioritize efforts to improve the assisted living option" and by Ranking Member Mike Braun to "hearing more about the challenges facing assisted living facilities, and how states and providers are working to meet the needs of their communities".
The committee chair states, "With an estimated one million older adults and adults with disabilities residing in assisted living facilities, it is critical to ensure families have accurate and timely information about the costs and quality of assisted living services. I want to hear from you about your experiences as you navigate assisted living facilities for yourselves and your loved ones". To share your stories, concerns, and experiences, use the form in the link below or email the committee directly at AssistedLivingBills@aging.senate.gov
Testifying were family advocate Patricia (Patty) Vessenmeyer of Gainsville, VA, Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan, Director of the Gerontology Institute at Georgia State University, Julie Simpkins
Co-President of Gardant Management Solutions in Indianapolis, IN, and Richard Mollot, Executive Director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition in New York City, NY.
In the clip, we hear Richard Mollot explain how difficult it is for families to find accurate and objective information about the quality and care of assisted living facilities. While I find this to also be somewhat true for nursing facilities since Care Compare through CMS is not particularly user friendly, sites like APlaceforMom.com are provider sourced and while worth looking at, they are more promotional than designed for evaluation.
As advocates, please take the time to share you concerns and comments with the U.S. Senate Committee about issues that have affected you and/or your loved one in assisted living facilities. This is your opportunity to tell Congress what is broken and what needs their attention.
Member Statements and witness testimonies HERE
View full Senate Committee hearing HERE
Committee Members should you care to contact them are HERE
Chairman Robert P. Casey's opening statement is HERE
Ranking Member Mike Braun's opening statement is HERE
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