Washington Post Analysis Links A Place for Mom Reviews, Awards with Care Citations 

An investigation by The Washington Post revealed that a significant portion of senior living properties recognized by A Place for Mom as “Best of Senior Living” have serious violations affecting resident care. Despite multiple citations from state inspectors, these communities were still awarded by A Place for Mom, raising concerns about the accuracy of their ratings. The Post analyzed inspection and violation reports for 863 senior living communities, uncovering that 37.5% of the award-winning properties had state-level violations impacting resident care. Violations included falls, medication errors, understaffing, and even violence and sexual abuse. This investigation highlights the importance of transparent information for families and prospective residents as they make crucial senior care decisions. A Place for Mom, while claiming to be a valuable resource for family caregivers, has faced criticism for its review system that may be influenced or manipulated by senior living providers. Found in 2000, A Place for Mom is now owned by private equity companies and remains the largest referral service in the industry. The recent changes in leadership and operational strategies suggest a shift in how the company interacts with senior living operators. The industry’s longstanding complaints about A Place for Mom’s practices may indicate the need for a complete reinvention in order to truly benefit both providers and the families they serve. The Washington Post’s ongoing coverage of issues within the senior living industry underscores the need for increased transparency and accountability in the care provided to our seniors.