Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Linda Kincaid Reports: California’s AB 2171 introduces Bill of Rights for assisted living residents
On Tuesday, April 22, 2014, the California State Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care will hold a hearing on Assembly Bill 2171. Introduced by Assembly Member Bob Wieckowski, AB 2171 will establish a comprehensive Bill of Rights for residents in assisted living, often called residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs). The hearing will be webcast live and archived for later viewing.
The proposed Bill of Rights includes the right to visitors, the right to phone calls, the right to mail, as well as the right to not be physically restrained or chemically restrained. Elder advocates throughout California strongly support AB 2171. Many RCFEs oppose AB 2171.
Elder advocates urge individuals to contact Committee members with their concerns about abuse and lack of accountability in RCFEs. Committee member names, phone numbers, and email addresses are given below. An email of support followed by a phone call could be especially effective.
Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-term Care
Marc Levine
(916) 319-2010
Assemblymember.Levine@assembly.ca.gov
Cheryl R. Brown
(916) 319-2047
Assemblymember.Brown@assembly.ca.gov
Tom Daly
(916) 319-2069
Assemblymember.Daly@assembly.ca.gov
Shannon L. Grove
(916) 319-2034
Assemblymember.Grove@assembly.ca.gov
Donald P. Wagner (Vice-chair)
(916) 319-2068
Assemblymember.Wagner@assembly.ca.gov
Adam C. Gray
(916) 319-2021
Assemblymember.Gray@assembly.ca.gov
Mariko Yamada (Chair)
(916) 319-2004
Assemblymember.Yamada@assembly.ca.gov
The Coalition for Elder and Dependent Adult Rights (CEDAR) reviewed abuses by RCFEs and urged the Committee to support AB 2171.
AB 2171 is necessary to clarify personal rights in residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) and to close gaps in existing regulations. The bill would also provide needed monetary penalties for violations.
At present, there is no remedy for elders who suffer abuse in RCFEs. Community Care Licensing (CCL), the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and law enforcement are unable or unwilling to protect RCFE residents. Civil courts hold that families have no standing to protect loved ones until after the death of the victim.
Coalition for Elder & Dependent Adult Rights (CEDAR) is a collaboration of advocates with firsthand experience of horrific abuse in RCFEs. Each of us watched a loved one victimized for an extended period of time. Each of us found that Community Care Licensing (CCL), the Long-term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, and civil courts offered no remedies for abuse of our loved ones.
Full Article & Source:
California’s AB 2171 introduces Bill of Rights for assisted living residents
The government, instead of protecting its citizens is sitting back and allowing abuse.
ReplyDeleteIt's beyond time for change.
This seems like a good bill and I hope it passes easily.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great, but who's going to enforce it?
ReplyDeleteIn Virginia, we have a similar Bill of Rights, but our public agencies, most notably the Virginia Department for the Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the Virginia Department of Social Services, actually participate in and cover up abuse and neglect by public guardianship programs they oversee, supposedly supervise, and actually fund.
It seems the only answer is a spectacular class action lawsuit, or disciplinary proceedings against each and every one of the tiny handful of unethical attorneys who pull the strings behind the scenes.
Thank you Linda!
ReplyDelete