Recently, PBS aired an episode of Frontline that served as an exposé of assisted living communities in the United States, casting them in a stark negative light that could have ramifications for care managers and caregivers across the country. Viewers bore witness to the apparent callousness of corporate executives who expressed little concern for their employees or the older adults in their care. The ultimate message, it seemed, was that the assisted living field is an under-regulated and profit-driven industry that puts many older adults at risk while capitalizing on their loved ones’ fears.
As upsetting as this exposé has been for the general public, it is also incredibly difficult for care managers and caregivers to watch. Larry Minix, CEO of LeadingAge – an advocacy group for older Americans that includes nonprofits, research groups, government institutions and other entities – penned an evocative piece in response to the episode on the organization’s website. Minix noted that many care professionals will be angered as well as saddened by the exposé, firstly because no one should be subjected to such abuse, and secondly because this depiction may lead Americans to mistakenly assume that this treatment is common within the eldercare industry as a whole.
Minix argued that care managers and legislators must instead ask how they can prevent such tragedies from taking place. If further regulation is necessary, what should it look like? Are there additional steps that care managers can introduce in-house to ensure that their care recipients continually receive the attention and respect they deserve?
At Independa, we are passionate about the prolonged health and happiness of older Americans. Our telecare services have been specifically designed to empower care managers and recipients alike by promoting social engagement, enabling remote monitoring and more. In upcoming articles, we’ll review a few insights Minix shared about this emotional topic, and how eldercare professionals can fight against it.
