Exploiting the aged and frail in Washington's adult family homes
The location of the home was secret. Only potential buyers with a $500,000 line of credit could learn its Seattle address. The seller insisted on discretion because the price included three frail seniors who lived inside.
A Bothell real-estate listing last year touted five seniors for $120,000, "sold separately" from the home. Bids for five vulnerable adults in Arlington opened at $90,000 — "cash only."
These deals aren't illegal. Washington officials not only know about it, they allow it.
Twenty years ago, the state Department of Social and Health Services began licensing homeowners to provide spare bedrooms and care for the old or frail who might otherwise have to live in nursing homes.
These private residences — called adult family homes — were marketed as opportunities for seniors to live in cozy settings and familiar neighborhoods, close to family and friends, with more freedom and superior care.
The owners were given freedom, as well. To encourage this new industry, the state imposed few regulations — no requirements for a minimum level of employees or even, for many years, liability insurance.
Today, Washington is lauded nationally as a leader in community care options for seniors.
But inside the state's 2,843 adult homes, thousands of vulnerable adults have been exploited by profiteers or harmed by amateur caregivers, an investigation by The Seattle Times has found.
Full Article,Videos and Source:
How the Aged and Frail are Exploited in Washington's Adult Family Homes
Searchable Database of Washington Adult Family Homes
11 comments:
This is all new to me it might have sounded like a good plan long ago but without oversight, supervision or regular surprise inspections this is a DISASTER.
It's tragic... Good people with best intentions to care for others and then along side comes the evil ones with no compassion. They have cruel, wicked and ugly desires for their own personal gain no matter the cost for the victim. This is often seen in guardianship as well and there appears to be no oversight or accountability for these agencies/guardians.
Seniors for sale? Sick and outrageous!
What's wrong with Washington government?
I'll never go there - not even for a visit. I might get nailed by a guardian vulture!
Oh my God ..... no way "selling" these elders can be legal ....
I do know however there is a flaw in our Human Trafficing laws .... the flaw is in the fact that unless there is a sexual exploitation involved it is not human trafficing under federal law .....
this ois some sick stuff --- anyone involved in this ought to fry ....
Is this United States of America? It can't be!
And, we want other countries to be like us a democracy? I think not!
I hope this gets out international news so we can be the laughing stock of the global community.
Shameful and a disgrace those who profit in this scheme and 10 times shame to Seattle.
Hats off to the Seattle Times for this series which will lead anyone who reads it for the Kleenex.
I hope the elected officials of WA State pay attention.
This is how they treat the elderly in Washington State? You can bet if I was living there, I'd be thinking of moving.
Reading this series is like getting punched in the gut. This is disgusting.
Outrage is the only thing that will bring about change here. This series is hard to read, but excellent.
I want to point out that the Times didn't just report the story, but they also published resources so future families can do more homework before falling into this horrible trap. The Times did a great job here and they deserve an award for it.
i cannot read any further or look at the photos until i compose myself this is so disturbing and wrong but at the same time i am very grateful to the brave dedicated reporters at the seattle times for their work in this ongoing investigation which has to be a very difficult assignment life changing situation
Hey folks this could YOUR photo, my photo or a loved ones photo. Sick sob's I hope and pray those who engage in shameful actions and inactions towards defenseless people suffer a long painful end to their lives.
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