ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), the largest national association serving the collective interests of professionally-managed senior living communities, today offered written testimony to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging at a hearing entitled “Ensuring Quality and Oversight of Assisted Living.”
The following excerpted testimony is attributable to Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of ALFA. His complete testimony can be found at www.alfa.org/hearingtestimony.
“All 50 states have oversight of assisted living; all 50 states regulate assisted living. While there are excellent laws, regulations and regulators in every state, ALFA and our ALFA State Affiliates and Chapters work with the states to ensure they are continuously evaluated to meet the changing needs of assisted living residents while protecting them from neglect and abuse. We support strong state laws and regulations for all who may provide assisted living services.”
“From time to time, there are calls for more regulation of assisted living. This is usually tied to high profile incidents of neglect or abuse in communities licensed to provide assisted living that are not professionally managed. In almost all cases, a community licensed to provide assisted living services has not been in compliance with existing laws and regulations and the state did not enforce the existing laws and regulations.”
“Unfortunately, as states cut budgets, state regulatory agencies are increasingly compromised. Without the staff and resources for regulators to do their jobs, frail elderly seniors and other vulnerable populations are put at increasing risk.”
“We hope one outcome of today’s hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging is that attention will be drawn to the lack of resources in the states. States must adequately fund those regulatory agencies charged with overseeing the administration of laws and regulations intended to protect its seniors and other vulnerable populations. In turn, those funds must be directed in such a way that seniors and their families have confidence that they are receiving the care and enjoying the quality of life they deserve.”
About ALFA
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.
CONTACT:
Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA)
Jamison J. Gosselin, SVP Marketing & Communications, 703-562-1185
KEYWORDS: United States North America District of Columbia Virginia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Seniors Health Public Policy/Government Healthcare Reform Congressional News/Views Other Policy Issues Public Policy State/Local Consumer General Health
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