Senate Aging Committee Questions Transparency and Costs in Assisted Living Facilities

Long-term care© Dean Mitchell / Getty Images Signature / Canva

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey held a hearing titled “Assisted Living Facilities: Understanding Long-Term Care Options for Older Adults.” The hearing, held on Thursday, scrutinized the American assisted living landscape, focusing on workforce shortages, prohibitive costs, and a lack of transparency about the quality of care.

Chairman Casey used the hearing to highlight letters he had sent to three of the largest corporate owners of assisted living facilities. These letters demanded transparency about their workforce issues and cost structures. Casey also brought attention to the high costs and hidden fees associated with many assisted living facilities, calling on families to share their experiences with the Committee on Aging.

“We have an obligation to ensure that all Americans have access to the quality care they need to age with dignity,” said Chairman Casey. “Unfortunately, what I heard today makes clear that we have a long way to go when it comes to guaranteeing the level of care that older Americans in assisted living facilities deserve. We must do better by the residents of these facilities and their families and ensure that safe and affordable care are widely available.”

This issue of transparency in assisted living facilities is an urgent one, given the aging population of America. With more people requiring long-term care, the demand for assisted living facilities is set to rise. Yet, concerns about the quality of care, hidden costs, and workforce shortages could deter families from considering these options.

Casey also announced that he was joining Senators Fetterman, Gillibrand, Warren, Blumenthal, Kelly, and Warnock to send a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The letter requests the GAO to conduct a study on how much federal money is spent on assisted living facilities and the cost of assisted living services. It also seeks to evaluate how readily available and transparent this information is to families.

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This hearing and the subsequent GAO study request highlight a growing concern about the state of America’s assisted living facilities. As the nation grapples with an aging population, the need for comprehensive, affordable, and transparent long-term care options becomes more pressing. The steps taken by Chairman Casey and his colleagues signal a commitment to addressing these challenges head-on, ensuring that America’s seniors receive the quality care they deserve.

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