Complaint Investigation Report

The investigation revealed the following:

Allegation: Facility is in disrepair. The details of this allegation states that the facility’s heater has been broken for the last several months and the facility administration refuses to fix the heater. (Allegation was reported to Community Care Licensing on 2/11/21).

Based on interviews conducted, the statements obtained did not corroborate with the allegation. Staff and clients interviewed did not present concerns of the facility heater being broken/inoperable during winter of 2020. During the tele visit / virtual tour conducted at the facility on 2/22/21 at 9:15am, LPA observed the reading on the thermostat was at 66 degrees F but the heater was turned on and set at 83 degrees F. LPA observed “Heat On” showing on the bottom of the thermostat. During the course of the investigation, LPA discovered that the air conditioning (AC) unit and not the heater was out of service for a few days in August of 2020 but the Administrator rented a portable AC unit during period 8/18/20 – 8/25/20 to ensure the temperature inside the facility was comfortable for the clients and facility was in compliance with Title 22 Regulations. According to the Administrator, once the AC unit was repaired, the portable AC unit was returned. LPA obtained an invoice from Herc Rentals showing the rental period for the portable AC unit was for period 8/18/20 – 8/25/20. The Administrator also provided an invoice from Cooling & Heating Repair showing the AC unit was repaired on 8/20/20. Based on the information gathered, there is insufficient evidence to support this allegation to be true.

Allegation: Facility failed to provide a comfortable temperature for the residents. The details of this allegation states that facility failed to provide a comfortable temperature for the residents in care. During the night the temperature usually drops below 50 degrees and it’s freezing cold. (Allegation was reported to Community Care Licensing on 2/11/21).

Based on interviews conducted, the statements obtained did not corroborate with the allegation. Staff and clients interviewed did not present concerns of the facility temperature being uncomfortable and/or too cold for the clients in care. Statements obtained denied the facility being freezing cold. Based on the information gathered, there is insufficient evidence to support this allegation to be true.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was provided to the Direct Support Professional..