Sisters reflect on mother's abusive nursing home

Elder abuse and neglect is one of America’s fastest growing crimes targeting its most vulnerable populations. In long-term care facilities, cases of abuse and neglect are largely out of view and underreported. Countless elderly victims could be suffering alone in silence.

Over $5 billion went to substandard homes in one year alone, according to the U.S. government. Many nursing homes reported staffing levels insufficient to provide adequate care, including some of the largest for-profit chains in the U.S., according to a study.

Enforcement agencies say they are limited by new budget cuts, even as the business of elder care is growing. Fault Lines investigates how problems of government oversight and corporate accountability persist in many states, and how poorly rated facilities continue to operate without penalties, despite repeated offenses.