AARP Maryland Responds to Reports of Abuse at Charlotte Hall

For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy Carr, ncarr@aarp.org, 443-787-5382

AARP Maryland Responds to Reports of Abuse at Charlotte Hall

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 16, 2023) – AARP Maryland State President Jim Campbell and State Director Hank Greenberg issued the following statement today in response to news reports of neglect and abuse at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home:

Howard Korn for AARP

“On behalf of our 850,000 members and their families, we want to thank Governor Moore for taking swift action to dissolve a state contract with a South Carolina company in response to reports of abuse at a St. Mary’s County nursing home for veterans.

“Our most vulnerable residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at every stage of life. Complaints about abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, should always be promptly investigated and, if applicable, prosecuted.

“In Maryland, assisted living regulations have not been updated in nearly two decades. And the state can only collect data on facilities with more than 10 beds. Moreover, in Maryland regulators are not permitted to inspect any facility without the prior approval of the owner. We must do better by our fellow citizens.

“AARP Maryland has been leading the effort to hold those companies and individuals who operate a long-term care facility accountable for abusing and neglecting our most vulnerable. Currently, our state president sits on a state task force that is reviewing policies related to facilities with fewer than 10 beds. We will continue to push for tougher state and local regulatory oversight of the long-term care industry during the legislative session and beyond, so that all Marylanders can receive the high-quality care that they deserve.”

About AARP Maryland
With more than 850,000 members in Maryland, AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. Having a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.