The Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee recently released the results of a study of the Nation's nursing homes. Thirty-five percent of the homes were cited for over 10,000 episodes of abuse during the two-year period of the study. Of the 5,926 facilities cited, 1,500 incidences placed residents in danger of immediate death or serious injury.

Industry representatives caution that the figures are exaggerated. They complain that reporting requirements mandate that homes report even the most minor of incidents. Nursing homes claim that they are doing they best job they can in a complicated situation.

However, one of the assisted living industry's major problems involves finding and keeping skilled, quality workers. In some areas, nursing assistants make only $7 to $9 per hour.