Locked Out

In "Locked Out: Elder Neglect and the Keys to Change," Candace Esham invites readers into a deeply personal and profoundly moving exploration of elder neglect within America's long-term care system. After experiencing the devastating loss of her cherished grandmother due to preventable neglect in an assisted living facility, Esham channels her grief and frustration into a tireless mission for reform and accountability. Esham's compelling narrative pulls back the curtain on the hidden epidemic of elder neglect, uncovering harrowing stories from nursing homes and assisted living communities nationwide. With painstaking detail, she highlights systemic breakdowns, poor staffing practices, and regulatory loopholes that have left countless seniors vulnerable to neglect and abuse, both historically and increasingly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Intertwining investigative journalism with heartfelt memoir, Esham vividly recounts her personal journey, providing readers with a gripping account of her grandmother's tragic experience. Her relentless pursuit of justice and accountability exposes how profit-driven motives often supersede compassionate care and patient safety in the eldercare industry. Yet, "Locked Out" transcends mere exposé-it serves as an invaluable resource and a passionate call-to-action. Drawing from her successful advocacy campaign in Delaware that culminated in transformative eldercare legislation, Esham equips readers with actionable insights, practical strategies, and a detailed guide for effecting meaningful change. Readers are encouraged and empowered to build effective advocacy networks, engage with policymakers, and enact reforms that ensure dignity, respect, and high-quality care for all elders. This essential book is an urgent wake-up call for seniors, families, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and concerned citizens everywhere, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect and honor the older generations who have given us so much.