Woman’s death sparks calls for systemic changes in how Oregon cares for older adults

Less than 24 hours after Ki Soon Hyun moved into a state-certified assisted living facility in Sandy, Oregon, the beloved mother and grandmother’s lifeless, frozen body was found outside less than a half a mile away from her new bed.

Her death was a tragedy. And yet, another calamity was slowly unfolding for the remaining residents of Mt. Hood Senior Living.

After Hyun wandered away from the facility and died of hypothermia, nobody from the state’s licensing team immediately visited the facility. Finally, after 28 days, they went to inspect in light of Hyun’s death. When they did, a litany of concerns prompted them to immediately shutter the facility. They moved 13 of the remaining residents to other facilities ill-equipped to care for them late on a dark, rainy night.