Here are some common assisted living license citations given to California facilities in 2017.
There are thousands of assisted living licensed facilities throughout California, and hundreds in San Diego County. These include both larger assisted living communities and small board and care homes.
All assisted living facilities are licensed and inspected by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.
Some assisted living facilities are very good, most are perfectly acceptable, but some are not so good. Thankfully, most care homes and care communities that are not so good are well-meaning and attempting to improve.
And beginning in 2019, Community Care Licensing is required to inspect all assisted living licensed facilities every year. Very good news!
The Most Common Assisted Living License Citations
The most common assisted living license citation was for facilities that were not kept “clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair at all times.”
This is one of the first things Elder Answers looks for (and smell for) when visiting San Diego assisted living facilities. If the home or community is dirty, cluttered, smells consistently bad, or has broken fixtures or furnishings, it’s almost always a red flag.
That said, old does not necessarily mean poor quality. As you visit places, be sure to look beyond the age of a structure and it’s contents. It’s also just as important to look beyond the glitz and glitter of brand new places.
We’ve been in San Diego County care homes or care communities that aren’t new and shiny, but where care is the priority. And we’ve been in brand new facilities where care is lacking.
The second most common assisted living license citation has to do with care for a senior with dementia. Facilities did not “ensure that each resident with dementia has an annual medical assessment and a reappraisal done at least annually.”
Be sure your family member in a San Diego dementia care facility has a medical exam at least once a year.
The physical and mental health of your loved one, including any behavioral changes, needs to be monitored and evaluated. Skin conditions need to be looked at, routine blood work should be performed and medications should be re-evaluated.
More Common License Citations
The third most common assisted living license citation was that facilities did not make sure their “Hot water temperature controls shall be maintained to automatically regulate…a temperature of not less than 105 degree F and not more than 120 degree F.”
While this may not seem like a big issue, burns can be very serious, especially for seniors with cognitive impairment.
The fourth most common citation was inspectors finding “over-the-counter medication, nutritional supplements or vitamins, alcohol, cigarettes, and toxic substances such as certain plants, gardening supplies, cleaning supplies and disinfectants” accessible to residents with dementia, posing a risk to their health and safety.
Additional License Citations
Here are some final citations mentioned in 2017:
- Care staff doesn’t have the appropriate first aid training. Or a staff member who has appropriate first aid or CPR training is not on duty at all times.
- Medications aren’t kept in a safe locked place and are accessible to persons other than employees.
- Dangerous items such as knives, matches, firearms and tools are accessible to residents with dementia.
- There’s not enough care staff to meet all the residents needs.
- Medications aren’t given according to a physician’s written orders.
The majority of assisted living facilities in San Diego County don’t have many, or any, of these assisted living license citations.
The quality of care for your loved one in any San Diego County assisted living facility is only as good as the care staff attending to them. It’s important to know who your loved one’s caregivers are, and to make sure they are qualified and have the appropriate training.
Please contact Elder Answers any time for help.
We visit all San Diego assisted living facilities, look at licensing reports, get feedback from families we’ve helped over the years, and question anything that doesn’t look, smell or seem right.
