The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Protections for seniors in care homes move ahead
Legislation moved through the House this past week to improve safety and strengthen the oversight of Georgia’s assisted living facilities and personal care homes.
House Health and Human Services Chairwoman Sharon Cooper, a Republican from Marietta and the sponsor of House Bill 987, said she was unaware of many of the problems involving senior care in the state until an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation uncovered them in a series called “Unprotected.”
The series found lax state oversight and weak fines when facilities abuse and neglect residents, who average well over age 80, are frail and often have memory issues. In all, nearly 700 cases of abuse and neglect were documented across Georgia, and more than 20 deaths were linked to breakdowns in care.
The investigation also revealed how a rush to profit from the growing number of aging seniors led to a building boom in Georgia, creating competitive pressures that caused some facilities to struggle financially and allowed the quality of care to suffer.
The House voted 160-1 for Cooper’s bill, which would significantly increase penalties, moving the maximum daily fine from $1,000 to $2,000 for serious violations. In the case of deaths and serious injuries, facilities would face a mandatory fine of $5,000 if the incidents were linked to poor care.
HB 987 also would require:
■ Nurses to be on staff at assisted living and memory care centers.
■ Special training and licenses for administrators who run assisted living and large personal care homes. Nursing home administrators already face similar requirements.
■ Facilities to disclose financial problems and ownership changes that could affect care. As part of the process in obtaining a state license, homes would also have to demonstrate they are financially viable. Currently, the state’s regulator, the Department of Community Health, does not track financial stability, leaving consumers in the dark.
Senior advocates and representatives of the care industry offered support for Cooper’s bill.
“We applaud the standards that you are bringing for us,” Beth Cayce of the Georgia Senior Living Association told the committee. “We want to raise the bar of accountability across the board for all members.”
Rep. Jesse Petrea, R-Savannah, said he supported the bill, but he wants to make sure the DCH has the staff to enforce the rules.
“We can pass rules all day long,” Petrea said. “If it’s another rule that doesn’t get surveyed, it’s meaningless.”
HB 987 now moves to the Senate.