complaint·December 9, 2024

It was alleged that multiple large roaches were observed in Resident #1’s (R1) room, that R1’s room has had roaches for about a year, and that facility staff have not properly addressed the roach infestation. LPAs inspected 13 resident rooms and observed no roaches or insects, but LPAs did observe cat food left out in R1’s new room. LPAs interviewed 13 residents, two of whom reported seeing roaches at the facility. LPAs interviewed COO who admitted that R1’s room did have multiple roaches and that after learning of the roaches on December 4, 2024, the facility relocated R1 to another room on December 6, 2024, in order to address the infestation. COO stated that the facility’s measures to address insects in the facility include caregivers checking for food left out in residents’ rooms during their twice daily checks, a deep cleaning of residents’ rooms weekly, and regular pest control inspections and spraying approximately every 21 days by a professional exterminator. LPAs reviewed the facility’s recent pest control records which show that R1 refused the professional exterminator’s services on July 10, 2024 and September 13, 2024. Per COO, R1 sometimes refused pest control services in their room because they have a cat in their room and it is possible the infestation in R1’s room may have been caused by cat food in R1’s room. However, COO stated that the facility did not issue R1 notices of violation of the house rules for refusing pest control services and for leaving cat food out in their rooms and the information obtained corroborated that the facility’s current measures are not properly addressing roaches in the facility. During the course of the investigation, the Department obtained sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation mentioned above. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegation is Substantiated. See LIC9099D for cited deficiencies per Title 22 Division 6 of the California Code of Regulations. Civil penalties for repeat violations are being assessed. See LIC421FC. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and appeal rights was discussed with and provided to facility representative.