complaint·March 20, 2025

Allegation: Staff confiscated resident's personal items. The complaint alleges facility staff have confiscated the reading glasses of a resident (name unknown), and are keeping them locked in the nursing office. According to information obtained, the reading glasses are only accessible at limited times during the day, which infringes upon the personal rights of the resident. Complaint details state the unknown resident has a newspaper subscription they have been unable to read because the resident cannot find their reading glasses. Since the complaint does not name the resident. Residents that use reading glasses were randomly selected for interviews. A total of 10 residents were interviewed. None of the residents interviewed reported staff confiscate their eyeglasses or reading glasses. During room inspections, reading glasses were observed in the residents room and/or drawers. A total of five (5) staff were interviewed. Staff stated that some resident personal items i.e., dentures, hearing aids, and glasses are taken to the Wellness/Nurse office after they are put to bed as a safety precaution, and in order to prevent residents who wander from taking them from resident rooms. This procedure is only done for the less independent more cognitively impaired residents. Each morning staff take back the reading and/or eyeglasses to the residents rooms. Upon admission to the facility, reading and eyeglasses are labeled and added to the inventory list in order to ensure the residents personal belongings are safeguarded. If and when a resident requires frequent reminders to wear glasses, it is added to their Service Plan and staff are instructed to remove the glasses from their rooms after bedtime. Copies of current inventory of resident's personal effected and valuables were reviewed and obtained. Per staff interviews, there are approximately 5 residents that use reading glasses and enjoy reading the newspaper. LPA interviewed residents who utilize reading glasses and regularly read. During room inspections, reading glasses were observed in the resident rooms on top of tables or inside drawers. The Wellness Nursing office has a drawer where resident's glasses are stored at night, a hearing aid charging area, and bathroom medicine cabinet for denture storage. Facility staff are following procedures put in place to ensure health and safety of the individual resident or other residents. There is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is Unsubstantiated . An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed and provided to facility Administrator Rochelle Carpio.