A Colorado assisted living and memory care operator is facing 18 citations and reportedly rare conditions on its license following allegations of abuse and neglect.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is taking Almost Like Home of Arvada, CO, to court to place the conditions on its license to operate over a series of citations that include inadequate staffing levels and staff training, as well as resident abuse and neglect.
According to a CBS4 report, it is the “most aggressive action” the state has taken against the facility, which is declining to voluntarily accept the state’s conditions.
A CDPHE website lists two citations in 2021 for physical abuse of a resident; 12 citations in 2020 for neglect, physical abuse, diverted drugs, missing person and misappropriation of property; six citations in 2019 for neglect and physical abuse; and two citations in 2018 for physical and sexual abuse.
According to the media outlet, a hearing on the matter won’t occur until March 2022 due to a backup in state courts. The owner already paid the maximum $2,000 fine for the citations and submitted a plan to correct the identified issues.
Colorado Sen. Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) is considering introducing a bill that would make several changes designed to improve the state’s assisted living communities, including a licensure requirement that assisted living administrators and owners. She plans to introduce the bill in next year’s session.
Almost Like Home did not respond to requests for comment by McKnight’s Senior Living’s production deadline.
