Assisted Living & Adult Care Information

Little Rock, Arkansas

Assisted living facilities offer a housing alternative for older adults who may need help with dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting, but do not require the intensive medical and nursing care provided in nursing homes.

Unfortunately, assisted living centers are not regulated by the federal government, and the state regulations that exist are inconsistent and, for the most part, lax in enforcing industry standards. In an attempt to compete with nursing homes, some centers may admit residents whose needs or illness levels exceed the staff's skill or training.

For example, most major chains promote special Alzheimer's disease units, but the reality is that staffing in many of these facilities is inferior to that in nursing homes and cannot meet the needs of these residents. This means consumers must be even more vigilant about choosing a center.

Environmental Risk for Residents

One study of assisted living found that some of the strengths of the assisted living arrangement for older adults also create environments at increased risk for abuse and neglect. Specifically, the study found the presence of mental impairment combined with:

• Minimal regulations and oversight
• Private rooms
• Low staff
• Low staff ratios
• Minimal staff training
• High staff turnover

This means that families with loved ones in assisted living need to be even more alert to signs of abuse and neglect.

There are many other types of adult care facilities, such as adult day care, adult board and care, and the like. In these cases, the legal theory of “premises liability” also holds true. That is, that the owners and occupiers of property are legally responsible for accidents and injuries that occur on that property.

For the most part, the same signs of abuse and neglect in nursing home patients holds true for residents of assisted living facilities.

More Information on Assisted Living

• Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living
  The Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL) is a national nonprofit consumer-based organization nationwide focused on the needs, rights and protection of assisted living consumers, their caregivers and loved ones.
• Assisted Living Consumer Alliance
  The Assisted Living Consumer Alliance (ALCA) is a national collaboration of groups and individuals working together to promote consumer safety, choice, and rights in assisted living.
• Center for Excellence in Assisted Living
  CEAL was created to be an objective resource center to facilitate quality improvement in assisted living; increase the availability of research on quality in assisted living; and to provide a national clearinghouse for information on assisted living.

For more information on our representation of nursing home neglect, please see Questions About Nursing Home Abuse and Signs of Abuse or Neglect.

If you are concerned about the care being given a loved one, please call or email our law office for a personal consultation at no charge. One of our experienced assisted living attorneys will listen to your doubts and concerns, answer your questions, and offer appropriate legal advice. We proudly serve the Little Rock, Arkansas area.