Do the Big 10 providers give you the information you need?
In a word, no. According to an April 2004 U.S. Government Accountability Office study, assisted-living facilities do not
routinely provide information about involuntary-discharge criteria or staff training and qualifications. That information,
the contract, medication policies, costs, and details about different levels of care is vital to compare assisted-living alternatives.
In late March 2005, we made one call each to at least three locations for each of the 10 largest assisted-living providers
and said we were shopping for a facility for a relative who lives nearby. We asked for all the information in the categories
listed below. Although many facilities sent us glossy brochures and monthly menus and activity lists, none sent us everything
we requested. Chains are listed in alphabetical order.
|
|
| |
NO. OF FACILITIES CONTACTED |
NO. THAT SENT INFORMATION ON: |
|
PROVIDER
|
Con-tracts
|
Discharge infor-mation
|
Detailed cost
data
|
Staff train-ing
|
Staffing levels
|
Who administers medications
|
| Alterra Healthcare |
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| American Lifestyles |
3
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Assisted Living Concepts |
3
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| Atria Senior Living Group |
3
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Emeritus
|
5
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
| HCR ManorCare |
3*
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| Hearthstone Assisted Living |
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Leisure Care |
3
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Merrill Gardens |
3
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
| Sunrise Senior Living |
7
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
|
