complaint·April 20, 2022

Interview with Executive Director confirmed that resident (R1) moved from Assisted Living to Memory Care on 1/27/2020 and the monthly costs were increased only at that point, due to resident's increase need for care/supervision. Executive Director reviewed monthly electronic billing statements with LPA which showed a cost of care increase effective 1/27/2020 when resident moved from Assisted Living to Memory Care. LPA reviewed resident's Residency Agreement which states that when there is a change in the level of care, resident will be consulted with at the time of the change in the level of care. Agreement notes that the resident's responsible person will also be informed of any changes. Residency Agreement also explains how the assessment level is determined for a resident in memory care and denotes it as "Alz 1" or "Alz 2 and lists the additional charge for each level. Resident signed the Residency Agreement on 4/24/2019 as resident's own responsible person. Interview with Memory Care Director revealed that resident remained at Level 1 the entire time while residing in Memory Care and resident was "still physically able to move around with a walker and needed minimal assistance with care" and had many lucid moments. Resident's care plan, dated 11/17/2021, shows a care point that was for Level 1. LPA reviewed documentation entitled " Room Change Addendum to El Camino Gardens Residency Agreement" , signed on 1/23/2020 by resident, noting that resident will be charged for Alz 1 Level of Care and Basic Services upon moving to the new apartment on 1/23/2020. Based on information obtained during the investigation, LPA finds the allegation to be UNFOUNDED- A finding that the allegation is unfounded means that the allegation is false, could not have happened, and/or is without a reasonable basis. Exit interview conducted. Copy of report provided to Executive Director.