COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A family says an assisted living facility in metro Atlanta is putting residents’ safety at risk. They say a potentially lifesaving device isn’t working.
It’s a device people who live at The Social at Vinings can wear around their necks, and with the simple push of a button, residents are supposed to be able to call for help.
However, the entire alert system there is not working, right now.
“It’s very frustrating,” said the daughter of a resident, who wanted to remain unidentified. “She could die. The doctors told her she could die.”
The woman believes the Cobb County assisted living facility is putting her mother’s life at risk.
“My mother fell and fractured her neck and she needs some extra care,” the woman said.
She said, right now, when her mother pushes the button on her emergency alert necklace, help doesn’t come.
“She would lay in the bed for like an hour and a half, and no one would come,” the woman said.
She said the devices stopped working for residents at least a month ago. All of it, with little explanation from management.
“No one ever returns my calls,” the woman said.
Channel 2 Anchor Justin Wilfon went inside the facility to ask for answers.
He was initially told, “No comment.” But later, the facility sent us the following statement:
“The Social at Vinings is working diligently to rectify issues with its alert system. Until we receive confirmation that the system is functioning properly, our team of caregivers has implemented personalized, active and accountable safety checks throughout the entire community on a regular basis to ensure our residents continue to experience the level of care expected at The Social at Vinings.”
“I want to see it fixed because these people pay a lot of money to be cared for,” the woman said.
She said if it's not fixed soon, she will consider moving her mom out of the facility.
Investigative reporters for our partners at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spent almost a year digging into the records of assisted living communities and personal care homes in Georgia. Here’s what you need to know.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
