MiamiHerald.com: Neglected to Death

Almost 200 ALFs accused of cheating on property taxes

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:49 EDT

An industry already under fire for quality of care now stands accused of widespread finagling of tax breaks.

Abuse-ridden ALF ordered to close

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:35 EDT

The Pasco County assisted living facility had many complaints of abuse and neglect since it opened its doors in 2005, and opponents have been pushing the state to close it.

Part III | At homes for the mentally ill, a sweeping breakdown in care

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:35 EST

For the residents of Hillandale, punishment was swift and painful: violent takedowns, powerful tranquilizers that made them stumble and drool, and staffers who would scream and tackle them when they misbehaved.

Part III | Violence becomes a way of life — and an exercise in survival

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:36 EST

Round-the-clock emergencies at a Broward assisted-living facility have prompted more than 1,200 calls to 911 in the past five years.

Part III | Despite a litany of problems, troubled homes remain open

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:44 EST

State advocates have warned regulators about concerns over ‘serious abuse’ of residents at Hillandale and Mapleway ALFs

Rosalie Manor’s new owner works to tame ‘uncontrolled chaos’

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:43 EST

With a new name and a new outlook, Doug Coffey is working to turn around the former Rosalie Manor — calling his mission ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’

Senator vows to revive ALF reform efforts

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:38 EST

State Sen. Eleanor Sobel pledged to renew efforts to rein in or close dangerous assisted living facilities. Those proposals fizzled at the end of last year’s session.

While on house arrest for fraud, woman operates Miami-Dade ALF

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:44 EST

Though confined to her home because of fraud charges, a woman is still allowed to run an ALF serving the many needs of frail elders.

ALF task force includes owner of home fined for neglect

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:01 EDT

A key member of the governor’s panel looking to improve ALFs owns a home that was fined after a resident was found with lice and scabies.

Panel revives effort to reform residential care for the elderly

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:40 EDT

After failing to get the legislature to reform Florida’s assisted living facilities, the governor’s workgroup reconvenes to try again to tackle the industry’s problems

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.

Finding more filth, abuse, state moves to shut ALFs

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:55 EDT

While the state continues its crackdown on assisted-living facilities, inspectors are finding more caretakers leaving frail elders amid dangerous and decrepit conditions.

Miami-Dade grand jury probes troubled ALFs

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:47 EDT

After years of abuse and neglect at ALFs, a grand jury is investigating deadly breakdowns in the facilities — the primary homes for the elderly and mentally ill in Florida.

Florida curtails effort to police ALFs

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:02 EDT

Under fire from some lawmakers and healthcare industry leaders, Florida’s struggling elder ombudsman program now has turned on itself.

Chased by watchdogs, ALF bites back

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:02 EDT

For the owners of one Pinellas County home that cares for residents with mental illness and faces a variety of complaints, the best defense is a good offense.