Complaint·June 10, 2022

On 3/19/2020, the Governor of California issued an order for Californian residents to stay at home to reduce the spread of the Corona Virus Disease and allowing only essential outings. Due to the Governor’s order, the facility assigned a staff/social worker (S1) to R1 to facilitate the move to assisted living. R1’s assisted living quarter was smaller in size than that of the independent living. During the initial stages of the pandemic, donations were not being accepted by charities. Allegation #1 Staff did not safeguard resident’s personal belongings: It was alleged that R1’s belongings were not safeguarded between 3/23/2020 and afterwards during R1’s transition from independent living to assisted living. LPA Luong’s interviews reveal that Witness #1 (W1), Witness #2 (W2), and Witness #3 (W3) were packing R1’s belonging into boxes prior to the move to assisted living. W1, W2, and W3 considered themselves as close friends of R1. W3 was also the personal assistant to R1. However, interviews revealed that R1 had a falling out and did not trust W3. Statements made from R1 included, “announced what W3 would wanted of my belonging,” “Don’t come in and tell a 94, who could drop off. Don’t talk to people my age wanting my belonging,” and “No longer friends” with W3. W1, W2, and W3 had arranged for a storage unit for R1’s belongings to be transferred to. The storage unit was paid for by R1 but was listed under W3’s name. R1 did not want to release items into the storage unit. To accommodate R1, the facility used a closet in the administration wing to store R1’s belongings. R1’s independent living was described by interviewees as “Not a hoarder but does have books and newspaper stacked ceiling high.” As a result, not all of R1’s belongings could be brought over from R1’s independent living to assisted living immediately. Items would be stored in the administration closet and moved gradually to the assisted living as space was organized. Not all of R1’s items would fit in R1’s new quarters and some items would have to be donated or discarded. R1 had a book collection that was agreed to be donated to a charity. However, LPA contacted the charity and was informed that between the periods of April 2020 through August 2020, if callers were to request a donation of large quantity of books, then the charity representative would request the caller from refraining from donations at the time. However, the representative also stated that if an individual was to drop off books at the location site, there was not a sign to discourage donations. Books were reportedly donated to another organization. Other furniture items were donated to La Tienda, the facility’s store. La Tienda did not accept all furniture items and some were discarded. Interviews reported that S1 went through items with R1 for consent to be discarded or removed. R1 was also described as having poor short-term memory but good long-term memory, being disorganized, and discombobulated. Continued on 9099-C It was also learned that W3 had given W3 a raise from $15 to $30 per hour without the consent of R1. Interview with R1 revealed that R1 was afraid of jewelry being stolen. R1 would hide jewelry inside medicine bottles and stuff the bottle with hair ties to prevent any rattling sounds. R1 would then hide the medicine bottles in various furniture and beds. R1 stated that R1 wanted to keep W3 out of the moving process. R1 also stated that R1 was paranoid during the move. Interviews also revealed that W1, W2, and W3 were not familiar with each other nor with other R1’s friends until the transition process of R1. LPA reviewed document Resident Intent to Move signed 3/3/20 by R1. LPA reviewed document Level of Care Transfer Notice dated 3/3/20. Documents recorded that discussion for transfer was made on 7 different days between 2/13/20 through 3/1/20. Both documents were signed by R1 with the representative party left blank. LPA reviewed Storage Rental Agreement dated 3/19/20. Storage unit was under W3’s name, but did not have an indicator of where payment originated from. On 8/27/21, LPA reviewed LIC 621 Client/Resident Personal Property and Valuables signed 3/23/20 by R1. Document indicated that R1 did not want to list any items on the document. LPA reviewed email correspondence between the facility staff and W2. Email correspondence reported that “I have sorted through and am keeping her memorabilia and good jewelry, as well as R1 parents’ wedding clock, for now, until I’m able to return all in person.” LPA reviewed document SB SOS LLC Services Proposal signed by the Administrator Ponce 4/8/20 . Document reported service completed were: Clients needs books cleared from property and pack photograph albums into smaller manageable boxes for storage within client’s new residence. Document does not specify details of quantity of books nor location of book donation. R1 did not complete an inventory list of items, and the facility tried to assist R1 with moving and storing their property during the pandemic. Based on the evidence obtained, the allegation is deemed unsubstantiated at this time. Allegation #2 Staff denied resident their personal belongings: It was alleged that R1 did not have access to belongings during the transition moving to assisted living. LPA Luong’s interviews reveal that R1 would request for items. Some items were provided but other items could not be produced. Some of those items included a corral ring and a sapphire ring. Interview also revealed that R1 was described as having poor short-term memory. Interview with R1 revealed that R1 was afraid of jewelry being stolen. R1 would hide jewelry inside medicine bottles and stuff the bottle with hair ties to prevent any rattling sounds. R1 would then hide the medicine bottles in various furniture and beds. R1 stated that R1 wanted to keep W3 out of the move. Continued on 9099-C LPA reviewed internal facility email correspondence dated 8/5/20. Email correspondence was between facility staff and indicated items were difficult to find, but in one instance, a dvd with sentimental value was found and provided. Interviews conducted with administrator indicated that this item was of importance to R1 but was misplaced several times by R1. On 8/27/21, LPA reviewed LIC 621 Client/Resident Personal Property and Valuables signed 3/23/20 by R1. Document indicated that R1 did not want to list any items on the document. LPA reviewed email correspondence between the facility staff and W2. Email correspondence reported that “I have sorted through and am keeping her memorabilia and good jewelry, as well as R1 parents’ wedding clock, for now, until I’m able to return all in person.” R1 did not list any belongings on the LIC 621 Client/Resident Personal Property and Valuables and was hiding valuables in various furniture. W2 was safeguarding some of R1’s valuables but did not provide a list. Based on the evidence obtained, the allegation is deemed unsubstantiated at this time. Exit interview conducted and a copy of this report was provided to the facility.