complaint·March 28, 2024

Records review of R1's progress notes dated October 2023 through March 2024 revealed facility staff documented R1's daily status, including; complaints of pain or discomfort, safety checks, shower refusals, unwitnessed falls, etc. LPA interviewed R1 at the facility. R1 stated that at first facility staff would ask R1 over and over if R1 wanted to shower whenever R1 refused to shower. R1 stated that now they only ask a few times whenever R1 refuses to shower. R1 further stated that staff have never forcefully made R1 shower or grabbed R1 by force to shower. Interview with facility staff (FS) revealed all of the residents have a shower schedule. FS stated that if a resident refuses to shower they come back later and encourage the resident to take a shower. FS stated that R1 usually refuses to shower and also refuses to go to their doctors appointments. FS stated that R1 immediately says no to shower on R1's shower day and throughout the day various staff will try to encourage R1 to shower. LPA interviewed facility staff II (FSII) who stated that if a resident refuses to shower they notify the doctor and discuss the importance of showering with the resident. FSII stated that staff will encourage the resident throughout the day to take a shower or a sponge bath if requested. FSII stated that R1 does not like to shower. FSII further stated that they have never heard of staff forcing R1 or any other resident to shower. LPA interviewed outside agency (OA) who stated that they believe the staff at the facility are doing the best they can. OA stated that the facility offers to help R1 but R1 thinks they are "forcing" R1. OA stated that R1 also refuses to go to their outside agency appointments to see a specialist. OA stated that they do not believe that the facility staff are actually forcing R1 to shower but that is how R1 "feels". The facility Resident Services Director (RSD) stated that community has attempted to care for R1 as best as they can and as much as R1 will allow them to. RSD stated that they do understand that a resident has a right to refuse ADLs, to include showers, however, they do have certain protocols that they implement when a resident refuses assistance with ADL’s. The facility will implement a change of face and a second or third attempt to assist the residents. As a result, a resident may see that protocol as the community being forceful. At no given time is a resident ever forced to take a shower or do something against their will. Based upon the foregoing, the above listed allegation is unsubstantiated. This finding means that the preponderance of the evidence standard has not been met and the allegation is not valid. An exit interview was conducted with Pamela Talamantes. A copy of this report along with licensee rights (LIC 9058, 3/22) was provided to Pamela Talamantes whose signature below verifies receipt of these rights.