Your Summer FRONTLINE Viewing List: Film 3

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August 14, 2013

We know there’s always a bunch of FRONTLINE films you meant to see, but somehow missed. Where to start catching up?

We went back through our archives to find the five films that resonated most with viewers this season. We looked at why you watched, what you liked and what you said about them. We’ll post one film every day this week — in no particular order.

Our first pick was Raising Adam Lanza. Our second was The Retirement Gamble. Here’s number 3.

Life and Death in Assisted Living

As the elderly population in America continues to grow, the assisted-living industry is expanding to meet the demand. But in some cases, this loosely regulated, multi-billion dollar industry has put seniors at risk.

Two weeks ago, FRONTLINE teamed up with ProPublica to investigate assisted living, and its growing role in caring for seniors with memory problems. The film “hit like a freight train,” tweeted Beatriz Wallace. “We do our best as children to make choices… I am SO glad the story is out.”

Watch the report below, and read ProPublica’s findings online, along with a report on how the industry fights to maintain the status quo, and questions to ask when searching for an assisted-living home for a loved one.


Sarah Childress

Sarah Childress, Former Series Senior Editor, FRONTLINE

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