The Maryland legislature is considering several bills aimed at enhancing the quality and accountability of the state’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These proposed reforms have garnered strong support from senior advocates, who emphasize the importance of safeguarding residents’ well-being.
One prominent bill would require the installation of video surveillance systems in common areas of facilities. Advocates argue that such measures would provide critical video evidence to monitor and address incidents of neglect, abuse, or exploitation of residents.
Another proposed bill focuses on increasing the frequency of inspections for assisted living facilities, a move proponents say is essential to ensure consistent oversight and safety.
Growing Concerns About Assisted Living Oversight
Tammy Bresnahan, senior director of advocacy for AARP Maryland, has made assisted living facilities a key focus during this legislative session. She highlighted how these centers are increasingly accommodating residents with chronic health needs, resembling nursing homes in the level of care provided.
“We’ve been looking at assisted living, because they’re systematically taking more chronically health-needed individuals,” said Bresnahan. “So they look a lot like what’s in a nursing home, but people are privately paid for that.”
Unlike nursing homes, which are subject to multiple layers of accountability due to state and federal Medicare funding, assisted living facilities often operate with minimal oversight since they typically rely on private payments.
Maryland’s Inspection Challenges
Maryland currently struggles with long delays in nursing home inspections. According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state has one of the longest inspection wait times in the nation, averaging nearly three years.
Bresnahan emphasized the need for more frequent inspections of assisted living facilities. She explained that current regulations only mandate an inspection during the initial licensing process and subsequent visits if specific problems are reported.
“The regulations really only require initially for the licensure to have the inspection—and if there’s a problem, they have to go out,” Bresnahan noted. “So, they really want their assisted living to be inspected more often.”
Advice for Seniors and Families
Bresnahan encouraged Maryland seniors and their families to consult the Maryland Office of Healthcare Quality when considering nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The office can provide vital information about a facility’s history, including any reported issues, helping seniors make informed decisions.
As the legislative session progresses, senior advocates and lawmakers alike hope these reforms will lead to improved care and oversight for Maryland’s most vulnerable residents.
