complaint·November 7, 2023

Review of the facility’s admission agreement revealed that residents and their representatives were informed that the facility would not be liable for any items going missing unless those items were provided to the facility for safekeeping or in the event of staff theft. Review of R1’s personal inventory document revealed that R1 and their responsible party did not entrust any items to the facility’s care. Interviews with residents and outside sources revealed that some items such as clothing or costume jewelry would occasionally go missing, but those interviews did not reveal any indication of staff stealing, taking, or misplacing resident belongings. Interviews with facility management did not reveal that management was aware of R1’s allegations of personal belongings going missing. Review of theft reports submitted to the Department did not reveal a report for R1’s claims, and pursuant to management’s statements, R1 did not disclose the missing items to facility management. Interviews with staff revealed that residents would report their concerns regarding items going missing or being stolen to direct care staff, housekeeping, or facility management. Staff stated that in a majority of cases, items that residents reported missing were either visible in the resident’s room or were located after a search of the resident’s room and their purse or bag. Interviews revealed that in the previously mentioned cases, the residents often had memory impairments. Staff stated that after a report, staff would ask to search the resident’s room and request the resident to search their purse or bag. Interviews with staff revealed that staff were instructed to report any missing or stolen items to their supervisor. Facility management were responsible for reaching out to the resident’s family or responsible party and the Executive Director would file any reports of missing or stolen items, would contact 911 to make a report to law enforcement, and would notify the Department. Interviews revealed that if an item could not be located after a search of the resident's room or the facility, residents were encouraged to contact law enforcement to report the missing items or management would contact law enforcement on the resident’s behalf. Interviews with staff did not reveal any indication of staff stealing, taking, or misplacing resident belongings. The Department has investigated the above-mentioned allegation and based on interviews and records review, the preponderance of the evidence has not been met, therefore, this allegation is deemed unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with RCC Mirayda Fleming, whose signature below confirms receipt of a copy of this report and the Licensee Appeal Rights (LIC9058 01/16).