Your recent online article, “Oversight questions raised on Elder Affairs,” presented a narrow and misleading account that is not indicative of the assisted living industry as a whole and fails to recognize its commitment to resident services and safety.

Assisted living staff are highly trained on the prevention of adverse events and offer older adults the choices in care and lifestyle they want in a safe, supported residential housing environment. In addition, assisted living residences are designed with systems in place that can track incidents, monitor resident whereabouts, and practice and prepare for unexpected events and emergencies. Assisted living providers regularly submit information to Elder Affairs to protect resident safety and facilitate regulatory compliance.

Assisted living communities are people’s homes, and providing a safe environment is an integral part of our service delivery philosophy. In fact, assisted living residents indicate a very high level of satisfaction and safety. A 2013 national poll, which included Massachusetts, showed 93 percent of assisted living residents are satisfied with their community and 99 percent feel safe where they live. That’s important to us, and assisted living communities will continue to prioritize the safety and tailored services that add up to a high quality of life for residents.

Emily Meyer is the president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association.