Top Senate Democrat reviewing safety in assisted living facilities

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) sent letters to the CEOs of three large assisted living operators this week, requesting information in the wake of reporting about workforce and safety concerns at such facilities.

“With an estimated one million older adults and adults with disabilities residing in assisted living facilities, it is critical to ensure they and their families can access accurate and timely information about services provided, the costs of assisted living services, and the quality of care,” Casey, the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, wrote in the Monday letters to the CEOs of Atria Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living and Sunrise Senior Living.

“As one of our Nation’s largest providers of care in assisted living facilities, I request information to better understand your company’s offerings for older adults and people with disabilities,” Casey continued in the letters.

The review follows recent reporting from The Washington Post, which found that more than 2,000 people have wandered away from nursing homes and assisted living facilities unnoticed since 2018, or been left unattended for hours.

Casey in the letters requests information from the companies, including data on residents who have wandered away from nursing homes, policies around the reporting of injuries to family members and other data surrounding residents and staffing.

“The Senate Special Committee on Aging has jurisdiction over the problems older adults face, including matters of maintaining older adults’ health, their ability to secure proper housing, and their ability to obtain care or assistance when needed,” Casey continued in his letter. “Since its formation in the 1960s, the Committee has frequently used its authority to examine private companies when concerns arise about potential health and safety, as well as financial risks posed to older adults.”

“As Chairman, I have an interest in ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities are receiving high-quality care, have access to proper housing, and receive good value for their hard-earned dollars,” Casey added.