complaint·August 13, 2024

Investigation Revealed the Following: Allegation: Staff do not allow resident to manage own funds. The details of the complaint alleged that facility staff did not allow resident to manage their own funds. During the records review, LPA Iniguez reviewed (R#1)’s Physician’s Report for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) or LIC 602A. It is written that (R#1) is not confused or disoriented, but the physician completing the form marked “A084” as an extra notation in this field. Also, (R#1) can manage its cash resources. In addition, LPA reviewed (R#1)’s Preplacement Appraisal Information or LIC 603, and it is written that (R#1) is confused. Furthermore, LPA reviewed a copy of the Social Security Administration Retirement, Survivor and Disability Insurance dated 8/4/2024; it is written that Social Security Has chosen the facility Carson Retirement Center as the representative payee for (R#1)’s monthly check. Also, the letter states that as the payee for (R#1), the facility needs to keep track of how they will use the money they send for (R#1); each year, they will ask to report on how they used it. Furthermore, LPA reviewed (R#1)’s admissions agreement. (R#1) was admitted to the facility on 2/19/2020. However, during the interview with LPA Iniguez, (R#1) stated that all these allegations happened eight years ago, back in 2016, and (R#1) was not living at that time at this facility. During an Interview with the Administrator (A#1), she stated that (R#1) used to manage their funds until Social Security deemed that the facility would manage (R#1) 's funds starting 8/4/23. The facility became (R#1) 's payee from Social Security Administration Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Services, and since the facility manages some residents' finances, they do have a Surety Bond. Also, (A#1) stated that she has not known of heard about (R#1)’s wallet being stolen or (R#1) getting physically attacked while living at the facility. Evaluation Report continues LIC 9099-C This report serves as an amendment to clarify finding. It does not supersedes the complaint investigation findings reflected on report created 8/13/24 During an interview with resident 1 (R#1), they stated that they had been here for eight years; the facility administrator manages their finances, but the administrator is taking their money from their bank account. LPA asked (R#1) how they knew the administrator was taking money from them; they said the bank told them the administrator had taken their money. LPA asked (R#1) if they had something in writing about that. (R#1) said no, all my money is under the administrators. During interviews with residents (R#2-R#10), (5) out of (10) residents stated that the facility manages their finances and P&I; those funds are from Social Security. Also, (3) out of (10) residents indicated that their families and conservator manage their finances, and (2) out of (10) residents manage their finances. In addition, (9) out of (10) residents stated that they fee safe living here. During interviews with staff (S#1-S#3), (3) out (3) facility staff stated that they do not know if (A#1) has taken money from (R#1)’s bank account and they don’t think (A#1) is not allowing (R#1) to manage their finances, they said Social Security made the facility the payee for (R#1)’s monthly check. Also, (3) out of (3) facility staff stated that they had not heard about (R#1)’s wallet being stolen or (R#1) getting physically attacked while living at the facility. Allegation: Staff did not safeguard resident's finances. The details of the complaint alleged that facility staff did not safeguard resident’s finances. During the records review, LPA Iniguez reviewed (R#1)’s Record of the Client’s/Resident’s Safeguarded Cash Resources or LIC 405 from August 2023 until August 2024; the ledger shows the amount (R#1) gets from Social Security to pay for their rent. In addition, the facility keeps a record of the leftover money as P&I for (R#1) every time they give some (R#1) signs for it. Furthermore, LPA reviewed (R#1)’s admissions agreement. (R#1) was admitted to the facility on 2/19/2020. However, during the interview with LPA Iniguez, (R#1) stated that all these allegatio ns happened eight years ago, back in 2016, and (R#1) was not living at that time at this facility. Evaluation Report continues LIC 9099-C During an Interview with the Administrator (A#1), she stated that the facility safeguards (R#1) 's finances and the other residents; the facility uses the Record of the Client's/Resident's Safeguarded Cash Resources or LIC 405 to record the resident's finances. In addition, (A#1) stated that she has not taken money from (R#1) 's bank account, and (R#1) has not had their wallet stolen or been physically attacked while living here. During an interview with resident 1 (R#1), they stated that they had been here for eight years; the facility administrator manages their finances, but the administrator is taking their money from their bank account. LPA asked (R#1) how they knew the administrator was taking money from them; they said the bank told them the administrator had taken their money. LPA asked (R#1) if they had something in writing about that. (R#1) said no, all my money is under the administrators. LPA asked (R#1) if they felt safe living here, and they stated that no, I got hit five times in the face. Also, (R#1) stated that someone stole their wallet eight years ago. During interviews with residents (R#2-R#10), (5) out of (10) residents stated that the facility manages their finances and P&I; they feel the facility does a good job. Also, (3) out of (10) residents indicated that their families and conservator manage their finances, and (2) out of (10) residents manage their finances. During interviews with staff (S#1-S#3), (3) out (3) facility staff stated that the facility keeps a ledger or a Record of the Client’s/Resident’s Safeguarded Cash Resources or LIC 405 for the residents that received Social Security benefits. Evaluation Report continues LIC 9099-C During this investigation, LPA found did not find sufficient evident to support the above-mentioned allegations. Based on the evidence gathered, interviews conducted, and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above-mentioned allegation(s) are found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of the Complaint Report was given to Ginger Enriquez /Administrator.