Residents at Risk

Senator Bob Casey led the Senate Special Committee on Aging to issue a new report, “Uninspected and Neglected: Nursing Home Agencies are Severely Understaffed, Putting Residents at Risk.”  The lack of oversight is terrible for vulnerable adults in nursing homes.

The report details a staffing crisis at state survey agencies. This directly impacts the health, safety, and well-being of nursing home residents. In addition, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on the issue. The Committee’s report made several recommendations, including:

Increased funding from Congress. Funding for state survey agencies has been flat for years, despite calls for increases from both Presidents Trump and Biden.

Congress and state governments should take action to support state surveyors, including providing educational opportunities and mental health support.

Congress should increase funding for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs. The report relies heavily on input from Ombudsman program representatives and notes their critical role in advocating on behalf of residents and calls for increased funding for these critical programs.