With the disappearance of nursing home beds across Maine, an influx of aging Mainers are ending up in “nonmedical” residential care facilities that aren’t equipped to handle higher medical needs and are held to lower staffing and nursing standards.
This investigative series uncovered that Maine rarely sanctions residential care facilities even after severe abuse or neglect incidents, and Maine’s health department rarely investigates when residents wander away from their care facilities.
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Maine rarely sanctions residential care facilities even after severe abuse or neglect incidents
From 2020 to 2022, Maine’s state health department cited residential care facilities for dozens of resident rights violations and hundreds of other deficiencies. But it has imposed only one fine in response.
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Following outcry, Maine health department waters down proposed staffing ratios
The Department of Health and Human Services released a new proposal with less aggressive increases than were initially proposed, and will give residential care facilities two years to phase in the changes.
How we reported on residential care facilities
During a long investigation on residential care facilities, and many days spent poring over records, talking to people who lived nearby proved crucial.
Maine proposes major staffing changes for assisted living and residential care facilities
The proposed regulations come after an 18-month investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica found dozens of violations at the state’s largest facilities.
Ombudsman ‘not aware’ of the high number of wanderings from assisted living facilities
A recent investigation by The Maine Monitor and ProPublica raises questions for officials, potential for regulatory change.
Three takeaways from The Monitor’s investigation into elopements
Maine’s health department rarely issues sanctions when residents wander away from their care facilities, a joint Maine Monitor and ProPublica investigation found.