complaint·December 28, 2023

LPA interviewed the former administrator who denied that the ice machine was broken, but acknowledged the facility does sometimes run out of ice due to the large amount of ice used by the facility. LPA inspected the facility and confirmed that the ice machine did work, but found little ice in the machine. The former administrator stated that the facility has three cooks total and hired a new chef who is working on a new menu, but was unable to provide a copy of the recent menu for the month. Per the former administrator, the menu includes sandwiches, but also hot food as well as salads and vegetables. The facility provides three meals a day plus snacks, the snacks include fruit and sandwiches, residents are asked if they want snacks and there is also a sign advertising the snacks, and snacks are available at all times and the kitchen does not close. LPA interviewed seven residents, four of whom corroborated that the food is too often cold sandwiches or, if it is a hot food item, it is cold by the time they receive the food. Regarding the allegation that a resident's hygiene needs are not being met: It was alleged that a resident’s clothes and hands smell like cigarettes and that this resident’s hygiene needs are not being met as they rarely shower. LPA interviewed the former administrator who stated that some residents are independent, some need oversight, and some need care with showers. Residents that need showers get regular showers and that if the former administrator smells an odor, they will direct staff to provide a shower to the resident and/or clean the room as necessary. However, residents can refuse showers and all the facility can do is encourage them. The former administrator denied that any resident has regular hygiene issues and stated that rooms are regularly cleaned to prevent odors. One out of seven residents corroborated that their hygiene needs are not being met, stating that they have only received two showers in almost two months, that they request showers and get appointments for showers, but that staff never show up to provide the shower. LPA observed a strong odor coming from this resident and confirmed this resident’s hygiene needs are not being met. During the course of the investigation, the Department obtained sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations that staff failed to provide adequate food service and resident's hygiene needs are not being met. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are Substantiated. See LIC9099D for cited deficiencies per Title 22 Division 6 of the California Code of Regulations. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and appeal rights was discussed with and provided to facility representative. LPA interviewed the former administrator who denied that the air conditioning was broken and stated that this was recently confirmed by a technician. LPA inspected six resident rooms as well as the kitchen, dining room, and common areas and observed the air conditioning was working and that these areas were at a comfortable temperature. The former administrator stated that smoking is only allowed in the smoking area per the house rules, that the facility has about 10 smokers, that some residents complain about the smell of smoke, but that the smokers always follow the house rules by smoking in the designated smoking area and the facility is looking into additional measures to address the concerns of other residents regarding the smell. LPA inspected the facility and observed the smell of cigarette smoke in the hallway closest to the designated smoking area when the door was open, but not in any resident rooms or common areas. LPA interviewed seven residents, none of whom corroborated that the air conditioning was broken. One out of seven residents complained about the smell of smoke, but that resident had left their window open to the designated smoking area. While some smoke smell enters the building when adjacent windows or doors are opened, residents are allowed to smoke and LPA obtained no information indicating residents are violating the house rules in regards to the designated smoking area or that the facility is otherwise uncomfortable. Regarding the allegation that the facility is in disrepair: It was alleged that a resident room flooded. LPA interviewed the former administrator who reported that two or three toilets were recently broken, but denied that there were any floods. LPA inspected the facility and did not observe anything broken or in disrepair. Six out of seven residents interviewed reported no issues with things being broken. One resident reported that their bathroom flooded, but that the facility promptly fixed it and cleaned the floor and the resident had no complaints about how the facility handled the repair. While a resident bathroom flooded, LPA received no information supporting the allegation that the facility is in disrepair as the issue was promptly and properly addressed. Based on the information gathered during the investigation and review of all documents obtained, the Department is unable to ascertain if the allegations that staff failed to provide a comfortable environment for residents and facility is in disrepair occurred as reported. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove or refute the alleged violations occurred; therefore, these allegations are deemed unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed with and provided to facility representative.