United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1997-05-15 monographic deposited born digital 41 p. GA 1.13:HEHS-97-93 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93 P0b002ee180391dca f:he97093 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93 HEHS-97-93 Consumer protection Extended care facilities Information disclosure Quality assurance State programs Elderly persons Long-term care Medicaid Program Oregon Florida Connecticut Supplemental Security Income Program SSI Letter Report HEHS Pursuant to congressional request, GAO reviewed assisted living facilities (ALF), focusing on: (1) responsibilities of federal and state governments and ALFs in ensuring quality and protecting consumers living in ALFs; and (2) issues that may require further research.<p/>GAO noted that: (1) a number of federal agencies have some jurisdiction over consumer protection and quality of care in ALFs; (2) however, states have the primary responsibility for developing standards and monitoring care provided in ALFs; (3) a recent compilation of state assisted living activities shows that state approaches to oversight vary; (4) some states regulate these facilities under standards previously developed for the board and care industry, some have developed standards and licensing requirements specifically for ALFs, and others are in the process of developing them; (5) but little is known about the effectiveness of the various state approaches to regulation and oversight or about the extent of problems assisted living residents may be experiencing; (6) moreover, some stakeholders are concerned that the rapid rate of assisted living market development may be outpacing many states' ability to monitor and regulate care furnished by providers; (7) not only do state approaches to regulation of ALFs vary, the level and intensity of services provided in ALFs may also vary; (8) according to some experts, consumers can find themselves in a facility unable to meet their expected needs; (9) to determine whether the ALF setting is appropriate for them, prospective residents rely on facility-supplied information including contracts that set forth residents' rights and provider responsibilities; (10) but one recent limited study found that contracts varied in detail and, in some cases, were vague and confusing; (11) for example, a number of contracts stated only that services would be provided as the facility deemed appropriate, and few specified what occurs if a resident's health status declines; (12) overall, little in known about the accuracy and adequacy of information furnished to individuals and their families who are considering assisted living; (13) many of these concerns about consumer protection and quality of care in assisted living have been identified by state governments, providers, and consumer advocates; (14) although several research efforts are under way currently, further research may be needed to determine the: (a) nature and extent of problems related to consumer protection and quality of care that may be occurring; (b) effectiveness and adequacy of existing models of oversight and regulation; and (c) accuracy and adequacy of information provided to co* https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93/html/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93/pdf/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93.pdf GAO/HEHS-97-93 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-97-93 Letter Report GAO/HEHS-97-93; Long-Term Care: Consumer Protection and Quality-of-Care Issues in Assisted Living; Consumer protection Extended care facilities Information disclosure Quality assurance State programs Elderly persons Long-term care Medicaid Program Oregon Florida Connecticut Supplemental Security Income Program SSI