The U.S. Senate’s Special Committee on Aging has announced plans to hold a hearing focused on assisted living facilities, prompted by a recent and in-depth investigation by The Washington Post. The article, published on Jan. 16, revealed that Senator Bob Casey, the committee’s chairman, has launched a review of safety within the assisted living sector in response to the Post’s reporting. The hearing, titled “Assisted Living Facilities: Understanding Long-Term Care Options for Older Adults,” is scheduled for Jan. 25.
In a letter to the executives of the three largest assisted living operators in the U.S. – Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD), Atria Senior Living, and Sunrise Senior Living – Senator Casey requested more information on elopements, incidents such as falls, injuries, and violent interactions, as well as the costs incurred by residents and their families. This move comes after a New York Times investigation highlighted the high cost of assisted living.
Senator Casey emphasized his concerns around staffing, oversight, communication with families, and the quality of care, calling it “a set of cascading crises.” He expressed deep distress at the breach of trust when providers fail to deliver the promised services. The Washington Post’s own investigation uncovered almost 100 senior living resident deaths due to wandering since 2018, as well as chronic understaffing in these communities.
The inquiry has drawn strong reactions from senior living industry associations, such as Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association. They argue that while the reported incidents are tragic, they are not representative of the overall safety record of senior living communities. These associations stress the importance of context when discussing elopement incidents and emphasize assisted living as a safer option for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
On the other hand, the National Center for Assisted Living has welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Senate committee in addressing resident safety. Major operators like Brookdale, Atria, and Sunrise have also affirmed their commitment to responding to the committee’s inquiries and prioritizing resident safety.
The impending Senate review presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the senior living industry, as it navigates public perceptions and advocates for the benefits of senior living services. It is a reminder of the industry’s need to continually educate and inform the public about their safety protocols and overall performance.
This Senate review is not the first time that senior living has faced congressional scrutiny. In 2020, lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, called for more information on Covid-19 and infection control from the largest assisted living operators. These instances signal the growing attention and accountability placed on the senior living industry by policymakers and the public.
