This report was of special relevance to me as my mother has been in the "memory care unit" of an Assisted Living Facility in Sarasota, Florida, since 2009. Soon after her residency began I started noticing bruises appearing on her forearms and hands on a regular basis. When I made inquiries I was told that she had incurred them in accidents with doors, chairs, and tables. My mother had stage 5 Alzheimer's Disease but a remarkably strong body and had never been clumsy or liable to fall. I felt there was little I could do without hard evidence. I photographed her bruises, compiled a dated file, and located a lawyer with experience in this area. I'm relieved to see that the bruising stopped about ten months after she moved in.

One of my main concerns is how fast and frequently the staff turns over at this facility. There is now a completely new administration. I have been meeting with the new directors to determine what can be done for the residents and staff in the memory care unit in terms of wellness, meditation, and spiritual care. My background is in hospital chaplaincy. While I am deeply grateful that they give the kind of care that I cannot give my mother 24/7, I am concerned about their lack of mental healthcare training, rapid burnout rate, and the general atmosphere in the unit.

Thank you to all who put together this report. It is so important that reporters like you get the word out and alert both the public and officials of an ongoing problem that desperately needs attention and a much higher level of supervision and regulation.

Sincerely,

Rev. C.