FICPRO endorses legislative recommendations to address illegal elder care facilities

Jonathan Morales Adorno, president of the Puerto Rico Federation of Long-Term Care Institutions

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Federation of Long-Term Care Institutions (FICPRO by its acronym in Spanish) has welcomed key recommendations from a House committee investigating the clandestine operation of elder care facilities on the island.

FICPRO President Jonathan Morales Adorno said the organization supports efforts to eliminate illegal operations that endanger seniors’ health and safety, but cautioned that public discourse must distinguish between truly clandestine homes and those partially compliant but delayed by bureaucratic hurdles such as pending health certifications or fire inspections.

The committee echoed this concern, noting that resource shortages, red tape, and rising demand for elder care -- driven by an aging population -- have contributed to the emergence of informal facilities.

FICPRO reaffirmed its commitment to a collaborative strategy focused on prevention, education and technical assistance rather than punitive sanctions.

The House committee adopted most of the proposals presented by the organization, signaling a collaborative approach to tackling the issue.

The findings, outlined in the Final Report of House Resolution 258 by the Committee on Older Adults and Social Welfare, stress that “the problem requires a multisectoral response combining oversight, education, and administrative reform, as well as strengthening regulatory agencies.”

Morales Adorno emphasized that one of the federation’s main recommendations was to address the problem urgently through a structural and intersectoral strategy. He also called for long-term care centers to be recognized as essential state services, noting that government action should go beyond punitive measures to include education, guidance and support for operators seeking to comply with legal requirements.

He urged lawmakers to prioritize legislation granting essential service status to these facilities, particularly during emergencies.

“In times of crisis, these centers should be treated like hospitals,” he said, citing the need for access to fuel, potable water, and bulk food supplies to ensure uninterrupted care for bedridden residents and those requiring oxygen.

The report also recommends that the island Family Department maintain a public, differentiated registry of homes by licensing status -- whether active, under renewal, in compliance, or operating illegally. Additionally, FICPRO’s proposal for temporary provisional licenses under direct supervision while regulatory requirements are completed was included in the committee’s conclusions.