Arizona: State Finds Filth, Bed Bugs at Valley Assisted Living Home Exposed In ABC15 Investigation

A state health department investigation was launched because an ABC15 report found multiple problems at an assisted living facility for disabled and vulnerable adults, records show.

Inspectors with the Arizona Health Services Department visited The Lodge at 14th Street two days after an undercover ABC15 investigation.

The facility was forced to file a plan of correction and fix the problems. At this point, it's not clear if further action will be taken against the facility or its management.

The full inspection report and plan of correction  was released to ABC15 through a public records request.

State inspection mirrors ABC15 investigation
In late February, the ABC15 Investigators went undercover at The Lodge  and shot or obtained videos and pictures to document the conditions.

Our report revealed filthy rooms, residents in tattered and dirty clothing, blood- and bug-stained mattresses without sheets or blankets, and evidence of past and current bed bug problems.
State inspectors found the exact same problems.

In addition, they found issues with a lack of proof of employee certifications and background checks.

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State finds filth, bed bugs at Valley assisted living home exposed in ABC15 Investigation

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Full Inspection and Plan of Action

Arizona:  ABC15 Uncover Investigation: Filthy Conditions, Bed Bugs at Assisted Living Facility

Arizona: State Launches Investigation After Undercover ABC15 Investigation into Assisted Living Center

State officials have launched an investigation into an assisted care center for disabled and vulnerable adults after ABC15 exposed troubling conditions at the facility.

The Department of Health Services and Adult Protective Services (APS) both confirmed that they are looking into The Lodge at 14th Street, a directed care home for residents with mental illness, physical disabilities, or both. Almost all of the residents are taxpayer funded through Medicaid.

The ABC15 Investigators went undercover at The Lodge and shot or obtained videos and pictures to document the conditions. On Sunday, we aired footage that showed filthy rooms, residents in tattered and dirty clothing, blood- and bug-stained mattresses without sheets or blankets, and evidence of past and current bed bug problems.

Health department inspectors visited The Lodge on Tuesday.

In a statement, APS said they are “aware of the situation and will visit the home” and will work with the health department to “address quality of care issues.”

The state expects to release more information about the investigation in coming weeks.

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State launches investigation after undercover ABC15 investigation into assisted living center

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Arizona:  ABC15 Undercover Investigation:  Filthy Conditions, Bedbugs at Assisted Living Facility

Arizona: ABC15 undercover investigation: Filthy conditions, bed bugs at assisted living facility

An undercover ABC15 investigation has found filthy living conditions, bed bugs and allegations of resident neglect at a Valley assisted living facility that gets thousands of taxpayer dollars a month.

The Lodge at 14th Street houses more than 30 residents who have mental illness, physical disabilities, or both. Many of the residents are on Medicaid.

The ABC15 Investigators went undercover and also obtained photos from people inside the facility. The photos and video show evidence of past and current bug issues, filthy mattresses with stains of dead bed bugs and blood, and residents in tattered and dirty clothing.

I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Mike Wright, an attorney with the firm Udall Shumway, who’s handled hundreds of abuse and neglect cases involving assisted living and nursing homes.

“This is highly unusual. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.

Insider Speaks Out
ABC15 interviewed a staff member who worked directly with the residents. When asked how The Lodge compares to other facilities, the staff member said, “This is the worst I’ve ever seen, ever, by far.”

The Lodge at 14th Street is licensed as a “directed care” facility. The Arizona Department of Health Services states that type of facility provides “programs and services, including personal care services, provided to persons who are incapable of recognizing danger, summoning assistance, expressing need or making basic care decisions.”

“They live like they are homeless,” the staff member said. “The floors are not clean. On the walls, you can see yellow and black stains. It’s just disgusting.”

The staff member and residents told us that only one or two caregivers work at any given time for all of the patients.

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ABC15 undercover investigation: Filthy conditions, bed bugs at assisted living facility