A dramatic 9-1-1 audio clip documents the call made by a staff member of Glenwood Gardens (a Brookdale Assisted Living community in Bakersfield, CA) requesting an emergency response to help a resident – Ms. Bayless.  We hear the 9-1-1 dispatcher plead with the staff member to administer CPR to the resident.  The staff member refuses, citing facility policy.  The EMTs arrive, the resident is not breathing, and is pronounced dead at the hospital.  It is unfortunate it takes a disturbing event to capture our attention, but nonetheless, this single event has finally prompted a worldwide discussion about the care provided within assisted living* facilities.  All media forums have been buzzing about the legal, ethical, and practical implications of the staff member’s actions.  CARR was contacted by local media (Channel 6 (Chrisy Selder), and KPBS (Chris Murphy) to give context to the event. In sound bites we could not share enough for the consumer, so we conclude the commentary here.

CARR'S Facility Search is a novel approach to researching assisted living facility options.  CARR founders recognized the paucity of objective information available to seniors & their families and have worked since 2009 to configure a website that offers more than marketing material.  CARR's Facility Search for RCFEs (or Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) is the first & only website in California to offer online, the actual public documents on assisted living facilities.  

Visitors using our site can locate a facility by name, zip code or city using the search bar to the left.   Each facility profile contains the following valuable information:

So, you have narrowed your search and have scheduled a handful of facility tours.  You arrive to any of these tours—introductions are made, accommodations previewed, stop and observe the staff interacting with the residents, follow-up with an invitation to stay for lunch. This is the tour you can expect.  This is the tour they have prepared.  It is called the “marketing tour”.  This is not the only tour you want.

Having worked as an administrator’s assistant, and having served as a long-term care ombudsman, I can tell you with great certainty that many facilities are doing their best . . . to hide the corners they are cutting.  Some are cutting fewer than others, it is true.

CARR has prepared a "Facility Evaluation Guide" containing questions and tips based on our personal experiences; they have been condensed to educate and empower you to receive the facility tour you need to make an informed placement decision.  This will be your family/friend’s new home.  You should be allowed to inspect the ENTIRE facility.  Treat the tour as if you were looking at real estate for purchase.  Click HERE to download the Guide.