News Summary
Angela Boorn found her 75-year-old uncle dead in an assisted living facility, raising serious concerns about the adequacy of safety protocols and negligence in routine checks. The facility reportedly failed to monitor him for several days despite having a daily check-in system. Boorn is urging families to be more vigilant about the welfare of their loved ones in such facilities. The incident calls for a reevaluation of standards and practices to ensure the health and safety of vulnerable residents.
Arizona – A woman discovered her 75-year-old uncle, Gerald McClellan, dead in his chair at LifeStream at Sun City, an assisted living facility, on October 16. Angela Boorn found her uncle’s remains, which she described as resembling “a skeleton in a chair,” with hollowed-out eyes.
Boorn estimated that McClellan had been deceased for three to four days before she made the grim discovery. She had moved her uncle to the facility in January following the death of his wife, paying $1,700 a month for what she believed was a place with adequate safeguards in place. The facility had a protocol requiring staff to check on residents daily. This included a system where residents were expected to press a button every morning to signal they were alright. However, staff reportedly failed to check on McClellan for at least four days after he did not press the button.
Upon finding her uncle, Boorn rushed to the front desk to inquire when staff last checked on him. She was informed that it had not been done since the previous weekend. Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed that he likely passed away several days before 911 was called. Boorn expressed feelings of guilt for trusting the facility and highlighted that “nobody should have to see that.” She is urging families with relatives in assisted living to regularly check on their loved ones.
In response to the incident, LifeStream at Sun City issued a statement expressing sadness and condolences regarding the situation. The facility, however, refrained from providing further details, citing the family’s privacy. The cause and manner of McClellan’s death are still under investigation, but authorities have reported finding no evidence of criminal activity related to the incident. The facility acknowledged emergency responders for their professionalism and support during the situation.
Background Context
The case highlights potential shortcomings in the oversight of residents in assisted living facilities, where daily check-ins are critical for ensuring the health and safety of vulnerable individuals. Boorn’s experience raises important questions about the adequacy of safety protocols in place at such facilities, which are intended to provide care and support to residents, especially those with heightened health concerns.
Calls for Action
Angela Boorn’s tragic discovery of her uncle is a stark reminder of the necessity for families to actively engage in the well-being of their loved ones in assisted living. As negligence in routine welfare checks can lead to severe consequences, Boorn is advocating for increased vigilance among families to ensure their relatives receive the care they deserve. The incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in assisted living facilities to maintain a standard of care that meets the needs of their residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AZ Family
- Google Search: assisted living facilities Arizona
- New York Post
- Wikipedia: Assisted living
- Law & Crime
- Google Scholar: assisted living facility oversight
- People
- Encyclopedia Britannica: elderly care
- ABC 15 News
- Google News: Arizona assisted living facilities
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
