The Hidden Crisis in Nursing Homes:
A Daughter’s Heartbreaking Documentary Reveals Systemic Abuse

Posted on behalf of Jeff Pitman on September 30, 2024 in Nursing Home Abuse, Nursing Homes and Elder Rights
Updated on December 19, 2024

the back view of an elderly woman sitting on a bed alone and looking out of a windowIn what should have been a safe haven for her elderly mother, multi-award-winning filmmaker and advocate Susie Singer Carter discovered a horrifying reality that millions of American families face today: the dark underbelly of our nation’s nursing home system.

Carter’s groundbreaking documentary, “No Country for Old People,” takes viewers behind the pristine facades of a 5-star Los Angeles nursing facility to expose a profit-driven system that routinely sacrifices human dignity for financial gain.

A Personal Journey Reveals a National Crisis

What began as a daughter’s documentation of her mother’s final months transformed into a shocking exposé of systemic failures plaguing America’s long-term care facilities. Despite the facility’s 5-star rating and Carter’s tireless advocacy, her mother endured unthinkable neglect and abuse – a tragedy that represents countless similar stories across the nation.

Following the Money: The Corporatization of Elder Care

The documentary reveals how private equity firms and real estate investment trusts have transformed elder care into a cutthroat business where profit margins trump patient welfare. This shift has created a system where essential care is routinely sacrificed for shareholder returns, leaving our most vulnerable population at risk.

Beyond One Story: A System in Crisis

Through over 70 powerful interviews with healthcare professionals, caregivers, politicians, and elder care experts, “No Country for Old People” paints a comprehensive picture of an industry in crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and drew public attention to these long-standing issues. The documentary shows how decades of unchecked corporate greed have created a perfect storm of neglect and abuse.

Protecting Your Loved Ones: What You Need to Know

This documentary serves as both a warning and a call to action for families considering long-term care options. Here are vital steps you can take to protect your loved ones:

  • Research facility ownership and corporate structure, not just star ratings
  • Document everything and maintain a consistent presence
  • Know your legal rights and don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel if you suspect abuse
  • Join advocacy groups fighting for reform in the long-term care industry

The Time for Change is Now

America’s aging population is rapidly increasing, and the crisis in our nursing homes demands immediate attention. “No Country for Old People” is not just one family’s story – it is a preview of what millions of Americans may face without systemic reform.

Here’s How You Can Help Your Loved One in Long-Term Care and Others Too

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, you do not have to remain silent. Contact an experienced elder abuse attorney who can help protect your rights and fight for justice.

We encourage you to learn more about the documentary, “No Country for Old People,” which is currently in post-production. to learn more about this critical issue and join the movement for change in our long-term care system.

Consider donating to the completion of this important project that Sheila Mankind, Executive Director and Founder of Legacy Film Festival calls, “…an amazing sorely needed, long-awaited scorching documentary that should set the Long-Term Care Community, all Family Caregiver Policy Makers, and the country ablaze!”

Need Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect? Call PKSD Today

At PKSD, we are fierce advocates for the rights of elderly victims who have been physically, emotionally and financially harmed by the caregivers and long-term care facilities they were supposed to be able to trust.

Not sure if you have a legal case? Our Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers have decades of experience and can help you understand your legal options. Our firm has built a reputation as a trusted nursing home abuse law firm, and we are prepared to fight to hold at-fault parties accountable for their negligent or abusive actions.

PKSD currently accepts nursing home injury cases in Wisconsin, as well as Iowa and New Mexico. Since there are no upfront costs or fees to pay, seeking legal help carries no risk to you.

Call for a FREE, no-risk case review today.

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