MiamiHerald.com: Neglected to Death

New ALF reform effort stirs same doubts

Sat, 19 May 2012 08:41 EDT

As state leaders launch two new efforts to improve troubled assisted living facilities, advocates blast lawmakers for killing previous reforms that could have saved lives.

A welcome affirmation of The Herald’s work

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:21 EDT

The ALF series that helped reform a troubled industry was a finalist for journalism’s top prize.

Miami Herald a Pulitzer finalist for ALF series

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:31 EDT

A Miami Herald investigation revealing deadly abuses and poor oversight in Florida’s assisted living facilities was selected as a Pulitzer finalist for public service in the nation’s oldest and most prestigious journalism awards on Monday.

Lawmakers fail to agree on ALF reform bill

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:18 EST

House and Senate leaders failed to agree on historic reforms for the state’s troubled assisted living facilities, delivering a crushing blow to elder advocates who had long been pleading for changes.

ALF reform may be in jeopardy

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:36 EST

As the clock winds down, lawmakers have yet to vote on bills that would usher in major reforms for troubled assisted-living facilities in the state.

Scott wants to renew effort to reform ALFs

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:56 EST

Florida’s governor says he will extend the life of the group looking into ways to eliminate deadly abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities.

Florida lawmakers: Get tough on ALFs

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:09 EST

Senators in the Legislature unveiled historic legislation to reform the state’s troubled homes for the elderly and mentally ill.

State keeps funding dangerous ALFs

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:25 EST

Florida law gives the state the power to yank funding from ALFs that abuse and neglect elders. But it seldom uses that power, even in egregious cases.

La Casa Grande: An assisted-living facility’s track record of trouble

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:11 EST

At La Casa Grande ALF, residents kept suffering neglect — and the home kept getting state aid.

Inspections decline as elder watchdogs are muzzled

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:21 EST

Amid the exodus of volunteer elder advocates, state ombudsman leaders had a difficult choice: dismiss a productive volunteer, or allow his outspokenness to influence others. They decided to get rid of him.

Grand jury demands state get tough on ALF operators

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:40 EST

A Miami-Dade grand jury called for harsher penalties on filthy and neglectful assisted living facilities — and greater protections for frail elders.

Grand jury demands Florida get tough on ALF operators

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:15 EST

A Miami-Dade grand jury called for harsher penalties on filthy and neglectful assisted living facilities — and greater protections for frail elders.

ALF watchdog: I was dumped for doing my job

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:14 EST

A volunteer ALF watchdog who accused his leaders of muzzling their own program has been fired.

Probe finds ‘unscrupulous’ absentee-voting practices at ALF

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:04 EST

The votes of three assistant-facility residents were compromised last year, the Miami-Dade ethics commission found. But there was not enough evidence to file charges.

Senate panel demands answers to crisis in ALF care

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:00 EDT

A key Senate panel targeted death cases inside Florida’s troubled assisted living facilities.