AJC Investigation Into Senior Care Reveals Stark Realities In Homes Across Georgia

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An investigation from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found hundreds of safety violations, incidents of physical abuse, and assaults to dignity in private pay senior care facilities in Georgia.

The challenge of finding the right balance of independence and attentive care for long-term senior living can be challenging – even gut-wrenching – for families. And when it comes to private pay senior care, costs can be incredibly expensive.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigative reporter Carrie Teegardin has spent a year looking for what families won’t see on tours of more than 400 private pay senior care facilities in Georgia.  Her investigation found hundreds of safety violations, incidents of physical abuse, and assaults to dignity that often go unreported.

On Second Thought host Virginia Prescott speaks with AJC Investigative Reporter Carrie Teegardin.

Carrie Teegardin joined On Second Thought to walk through the AJC series called “Unprotected: Broken Promises In Georgia’s Senior Care Industry.” Her team’s reporting began over a year ago and involved poring over thousands of documents, court records, police reports and inspections along with interview with family members and experts.

Teegardin and her colleagues at the AJC found that the marketing of many Georgia senior care facilities did not align with the realities of neglect and abuse occurring within them.  In particular, the AJC found a pattern of weak oversight from the Department of Community Health, with violations unchecked and inconsistent reporting practices.

As part of the project, the AJC built a "facility search" where users can look up hundreds of senior homes across the state. The investigative team flagged facilities with a pattern of serious issues based on public records from the past four years, and included details on each violation they recorded. 

The AJC will continue releasing reporting for the “Unprotected” series through the end of the year.  You can follow their work on their website. 

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