State: Assisted-living facility cannot place new residents

For the second time this year, the state has ordered a Spokane retirement and assisted-living facility to stop placing new residents until it corrects several violations, including failure to report the alleged abuse of a patient. When a resident of Cooper George Senior Living, 707 W. Fifth Ave., told a caregiver that she had been fondled by another employee of the facility, the caregiver failed to report it, according to a report by Washington’s Aging and Disability Services Administration. Three days later, when management found out about the incident, the police and the Department of Social and Health Services were notified and the alleged perpetrator was immediately suspended, said David Meisner, vice president of operations for Ageia Health Services, of Bend, Ore., which owns the Cooper George. Spokane police declined to file charges in the incident, Meisner said. The 150-unit facility is currently home to 83 residents who require assisted living. The report also said that a resident received an eviction notice for failure to pay rent before management had attempted to make “reasonable accommodation” for the resident as required by law. Meisner said the facility had tried to work out a payment plan. “We had pursued all avenues,” he said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t documented.” The facility also was found to have failed to verify references and provide appropriate training for newly hired employees, and failed to develop a system to safely administer medications. In the past 21 months, the Cooper George “has demonstrated repeated and uncorrected problems resulting in recurring non-compliance,” the state report said. In February, the facility was ordered to stop admitting new residents because of deficiencies in its medication distribution system, The Spokesman-Review reported. Ageia Health Services is making efforts to improve staff oversight, including hiring a new director and nurse consultant, Meisner said. “Though, as most of us know, changing culture and expectations can take time and considerable effort,” he said.