complaint·April 3, 2025

The allegation of “Staff financially abused a resident in care” alleges that facility staff did not safeguard R1’s monetary resources while their "Golden State Advantage" Food stamps card was in staff’s possession. During an interview with R1 they revealed that they had a food stamps card that they would give to staff to purchase additional food items. R1 stated that they gave the card to facility staff in November of 2024 but did not receive the card back until late December 2024. R1 stated that they made no requests for food purchases during the timeframe that the card was not in their possession. LPA was provided with a receipt from Food 4 Less which showed the remaining balance on the card to be $206.16. R1 confirmed that when they received the card back there was $0 left on the card. Conformation was received via telephone call that the balance left on the card was $0. LPA interviewed facility staff who confirmed that R1 did not order any extra food items between November and December. Facility staff denied spending any of the money on R1’s card. Facility staff believed that R1’s card was subject to a scam. Facility staff confirmed that they were in possession of R1’s card during the timeframe of November to December. Facility staff confirmed that the money went missing off of R1’s card during the timeframe that they were in possession of the card. Based on the information obtained during interviews there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation of “Staff financially abused a resident in care“ Therefore, the allegation is deemed Substantiated at this time. The following deficiency was cited (refer to LIC 9099D). A copy of the report was printed, appeal rights were provided, and exit interview was conducted. The allegation of “Staff physically abused a resident in care” alleges that facility staff #1 (S1) hit Resident #1 (R1) on the shoulder three (3) times during an altercation. During the initial interview with R1 they stated that during the altercation with S1 they were struck in the shoulder three (3) times. R1 also stated that these strikes caused them to suffer a scratch on their nose. LPA did not observe any injuries or scaring to R1’s nose at the time of the interview. R1 stated that they never sought medical attention for the injuries they sustained and never reported the incident to other facility staff. During a follow-up interview with R1 they stated that the injuries they sustained were actually scratches on their hand and not their nose. LPA interviewed S1 who denied ever striking or scratching R1. S1 provided LPA with a photograph of injuries they sustained to their hand. S1 stated that while they were holding on to R1’s bag, R1 scratched their hands breaking the skin. S1 along with other facility staff members confirmed that the photo provided to LPA was a picture of S1’s hand not R1’s. Interviews with Resident #2 (R2) and Resident #3 (R3) did not reveal any concerns with staff members. Both residents denied ever witnessing confrontations between staff and residents. Based on the information obtained, there is insufficient evidence to support the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid there is insufficient evidence to support the allegation of, “Staff physically abused a resident in care.” Therefore, the allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time. Exit interview was conducted. This report was reviewed with the Administrator and a copy was provided.