By Mackenna Moralez, Associate Editor

Moving someone into a senior care facility can be immensely stressful. Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable population. They require a certain level of care, and families are placing their trust in seeming strangers to do just that. People go in optimistically, but that isn’t always the case. 

In recent years there has been an influx of news stories breaking about the insidious care that some senior care facilities have been providing their residents. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the American Health Foundation, its affiliated management corporation and three affiliated nursing homes, alleging that substandard services were provided to residents between 2016 and 2018. The suit also alleges that the facilities “failed to follow appropriate infection control protocols and did not maintain adequate staffing levels.” The suit also alleged that residents were housed in dirty, pest infested buildings, gave residents unnecessary medications, failed to safeguard personal items and that residents were regularly subjected to verbal abuse.  

Meanwhile, a 2023 report by the U.S. Senate Special Committee found that 28 percent of the U.S.’ nursing homes are behind schedule for standard inspections, which are required every 15 months. One in nine facilities claim that they have not had a standard inspection in over two years. According to the report, respondents said that they were unable to effectively do their job due to severe staffing shortages and the inexperienced workforce. In addition, agencies have not received an increase in federal funding to complete oversight responsibilities since 2105. 

The Biden Administration issued a proposal in 2022 that aimed to improve the safety and quality of nursing home care, hold nursing homes accountable for the care they provide and make the quality of care and facility ownership more transparent for potential residents and their families. While this was a step in the right direction, the protection of senior citizens still falls into the hands of the States. 

According to Fox 32 Chicago, Illinois now has a law that enhances the protections for nursing home residents. Under the law, nursing homes are prohibited from retaliating against a resident who exercises their rights against neglect and abuse. If a resident were to be retaliated against, they would be able to file a civil lawsuit against the nursing home. The law also states that nursing homes must notify residents annually of their rights pertaining to retaliation and how to make complaints. The law will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. 

The new law coincides with the efforts that many senior care facilities are making in light of the negative press that the industry has received. According to a report by NCAL, 15 states have updated regulations regarding assisted living. Many states have focused on improving infection control and quality measurement. 

Meanwhile, luxury senior care facilities have been popular among new construction projects. Designers have shifted toward emphasizing connectivity and wellness for residents. Amenities, common rooms and medical services are all being considered with new designs as they directly impact the built environment from both a functionality and aesthetic purpose. 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.