A Letter to The Miami Herald from Krone Weidler, President of the Florida Assisted Living Association
The following is a letter to The Miami Herald from Krone Weidler, President of the Florida Assisted Living Association in response to the newspaper's scathing investigative report on abhorrent conditions of abuse and neglect in many Florida assisted living facilities:
May 26, 2011
To the Editors of the Miami Herald:
Recently, Floridians read tragic stories of how vulnerable seniors and adults with mental illnesses in a few of Florida’s assisted living residences were neglected or abused. The Miami Herald also reported that some residences went unpunished and some were allowed to remain open. What the Herald neglected to report was that, of the twenty two residences named, some have closed or have changed ownership, or are in compliance with regulations.
Fortunately, Florida has a strong regulatory framework; indeed, a model for other states. It was created explicitly for the purpose of protecting seniors and others from neglect and abuse and to offer a better quality of life than institutions for adults diagnosed with mental illnesses.
Unfortunately, the resources necessary to enforce these strong regulations have eroded over time as the State, with its considerable financial challenges, has re-directed its resources from the agencies responsible for enforcement. That is, Florida has a resource problem—not a regulation problem.
At any one time, close to 83,000 seniors and adults diagnosed with mental illnesses reside in almost 3,000 licensed assisted living residences in Florida where residents live with optimal independence, are treated with dignity and respect, and receive quality and loving care from hard-working and dedicated caregivers.
When we look over the 10 year span of the incidents reported on by The Miami Herald, it should be noted that close to one million Floridians were cared for in assisted living residences during that time. Though we consider even one episode to be one too many, residents, their families and the public should recognize that these are isolated incidents and do not represent the loving and high quality care that is provided every day to more than 83,000 residents in assisted living communities statewide.
The reaction to the Miami Herald series by some may be to impose new regulation on top of existing regulation on all assisted living residences as if they are all guilty of, or even tolerant of, neglect and abuse.
The vulnerable citizens of Florida would be better served by a collaborative effort by all stakeholders to identify the systemic problems that may have contributed to the failure of the system to protect these residents and work together to find the solutions.
Sincerely,
Krone Weidler, President
Florida Assisted Living Association
cc: Damon Thomas, FALA Vice President
Mary Sue Patchett, FALA Treasurer
Luis Collazo, FALA Secretary
Jamie Glavich, FALA Immediate Past President
Florida Assisted Living Association
2447 Millcreek Court, Suite 3 Tallahassee, FL 32308
Telephone: 850.383.1159 850.224.0448 Faxwww.falausa.com
The Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) is the largest state association in Florida representing assisted care communities. It provides legislative and regulatory oversight to its members and is the leading provider of assisted living education and training in Florida.
For more information about Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County home health care for seniors and other family members, contact Brian Gauthier at A Family Member Home Care (954) 986-5090 or www.afamilymemberhomecare.com. Serving Coconut Creek Cooper City Coral Springs Dania Beach Davie Deerfield Beach Fort Lauderdale Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach Hollywood Lauderdale Lakes Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Lauderhill Lazy Lake Lighthouse Point Margate Miramar North Lauderdale Oakland Park Parkland Pembroke Park Pembroke Pines Plantation Pompano Beach Sea Ranch Lakes Southwest Ranches Sunrise Tamarac Weston Wilton Manors Aventura Sunny Isles Beach Hialeah Miami Lakes Boca Raton Delray Beach
May 26, 2011
To the Editors of the Miami Herald:
Recently, Floridians read tragic stories of how vulnerable seniors and adults with mental illnesses in a few of Florida’s assisted living residences were neglected or abused. The Miami Herald also reported that some residences went unpunished and some were allowed to remain open. What the Herald neglected to report was that, of the twenty two residences named, some have closed or have changed ownership, or are in compliance with regulations.
Fortunately, Florida has a strong regulatory framework; indeed, a model for other states. It was created explicitly for the purpose of protecting seniors and others from neglect and abuse and to offer a better quality of life than institutions for adults diagnosed with mental illnesses.
Unfortunately, the resources necessary to enforce these strong regulations have eroded over time as the State, with its considerable financial challenges, has re-directed its resources from the agencies responsible for enforcement. That is, Florida has a resource problem—not a regulation problem.
At any one time, close to 83,000 seniors and adults diagnosed with mental illnesses reside in almost 3,000 licensed assisted living residences in Florida where residents live with optimal independence, are treated with dignity and respect, and receive quality and loving care from hard-working and dedicated caregivers.
When we look over the 10 year span of the incidents reported on by The Miami Herald, it should be noted that close to one million Floridians were cared for in assisted living residences during that time. Though we consider even one episode to be one too many, residents, their families and the public should recognize that these are isolated incidents and do not represent the loving and high quality care that is provided every day to more than 83,000 residents in assisted living communities statewide.
The reaction to the Miami Herald series by some may be to impose new regulation on top of existing regulation on all assisted living residences as if they are all guilty of, or even tolerant of, neglect and abuse.
The vulnerable citizens of Florida would be better served by a collaborative effort by all stakeholders to identify the systemic problems that may have contributed to the failure of the system to protect these residents and work together to find the solutions.
Sincerely,
Krone Weidler, President
Florida Assisted Living Association
cc: Damon Thomas, FALA Vice President
Mary Sue Patchett, FALA Treasurer
Luis Collazo, FALA Secretary
Jamie Glavich, FALA Immediate Past President
Florida Assisted Living Association
2447 Millcreek Court, Suite 3 Tallahassee, FL 32308
Telephone: 850.383.1159 850.224.0448 Faxwww.falausa.com
The Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) is the largest state association in Florida representing assisted care communities. It provides legislative and regulatory oversight to its members and is the leading provider of assisted living education and training in Florida.
For more information about Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County home health care for seniors and other family members, contact Brian Gauthier at A Family Member Home Care (954) 986-5090 or www.afamilymemberhomecare.com. Serving Coconut Creek Cooper City Coral Springs Dania Beach Davie Deerfield Beach Fort Lauderdale Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach Hollywood Lauderdale Lakes Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Lauderhill Lazy Lake Lighthouse Point Margate Miramar North Lauderdale Oakland Park Parkland Pembroke Park Pembroke Pines Plantation Pompano Beach Sea Ranch Lakes Southwest Ranches Sunrise Tamarac Weston Wilton Manors Aventura Sunny Isles Beach Hialeah Miami Lakes Boca Raton Delray Beach
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