Adult Foster Home in Michigan Stays Open Over a Year After Complaints Surface

Adult foster care sounds like a nice idea, doesn’t it? The care takes place inside small facilities—often houses where the caregiving homeowners treat the residents like family. But if you’re considering one, don’t let the seeming idealism lull you into not doing your research.

The Times Herald in Port Huron, MI, reports on one adult foster home that remains open almost a year after a recommendation to revoke its license was filed, the newspaper says.

[The home] has been under investigation after allegations of residents going without medical treatment, falling and injuring themselves regularly and inadequate staffing and staff training since January 2011. In August, the licensing consultant who was investigating the facility recommended that its license be revoked. In November, a third investigation was opened with the recommendation to revoke the license still standing.

The company still is operating today.

“Limited oversight and slow bureaucracy keep adult foster care facilities with a track record of abuse and neglect open for business,” the article says about the situation in their area. License revocation for adult foster homes can typically take over a year,  says David Akerly, director of marketing and public relations for the Michigan Department of Human Services.  The article does note, however, that the vast majority of adult foster homes in their area have no serious investigations pending.

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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.