Picking up on news stories developed by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, WCVB-TV in Boston plans to run a television story on the private pay home care industry, with an expected focus on the state’s lack of licensure of agencies. While both the New England Center and WCVB have been looking for cases of private care elder mistreatment, both stories appear focused on a single case of an aide who stole from multiple clients before being charged and convicted in both the Brockton and Wareham District Courts.
Alliance Executive Director Patricia Kelleher was interviewed by WCVB for the news story. During the interview, Ms. Kelleher emphasized the following points:
- While no abuse is to be tolerated, instances of theft or abuse are very rare given the thousands of clients and million of visits in a given year.
- The Alliance had filed licensure legislation in 2010 that was not passed.
- In response to no legislative action, the Alliance and its private care members developed a rigorous industry accreditation program that establishes high standards for worker screening and training, organizational management and workforce safety.
- Prospective clients in Massachusetts are fortunate to have a robust industry with many options to choose from. Educated consumers are our best clients.
The Home Care Alliance has also placed letters to the editor in two major Massachusetts daily newspapers to clarify some points in the story. See HCA’s letters in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and the Springfield Republican.
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