Agenda 04-02-2019 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 1 Michael Zuber said they make unannounced quarterly visits to adult care communities, 2 and annual visits to family care homes (6 or less beds), and one of their purposes is to foster 3 collaborative relationships with facility administrators and managers. 4 Michael Zuber said they are up to 13 volunteers. 5 Michael Zuber said in Chapel Hill and Carrboro they are blessed with strong facilities, 6 such as Carol Woods, but the living conditions in the lower level facilities are appalling. He said 7 they frequently see bed bug cleanups, smell of feces, lack of funding, and high staff turnover. 8 He said the facilities receive the reports, but there is a lack of desire to make changes. He said 9 there is legislation on the table to increase public assistance up from $66. He asked if the 10 BOCC would support this effort. He said they are trying to set up committees with local 11 government leaders and the administrators of these facilities. He said many of these facilities 12 are for-profit, and may not be able to receive government funding, but he does think there are 13 areas where improvements can be made. 14 Michael Zuber said the committee feels that local leaders have become apathetic and 15 pessimistic about improving the living conditions for the elderly in Orange County assisted living 16 homes. 17 Commissioner Bedford asked if all 12 facilities are licensed. 18 Michael Zuber said the State licenses and regulates them, and they work with their 19 Triangle J Council of Governments' (TJCOG) Ombudsman. He said there is a real lack of 20 incentive for Administrators to make any improvements. 21 Commissioner Bedford asked if the County has any ability to enforce standards. 22 Janice Tyler, Department on Aging Director, said the family care homes and assisted 23 living facilities are monitored by the local Department of Social Services (DSS), which is 24 different from the report the Board will hear from the Nursing Home Committee, and those 25 facilities are monitored by the Division of Health Services, which is a State organization. She 26 said locally they do have a bigger stick with the Adult Care Homes and the Assisted Living 27 facilities. She said all are for-profit entities, except for Carol Woods. 28 John Roberts said DSS does help with regulations, but the County does not have any 29 regulatory authority to pass ordinances. He said DSS is inspecting and enforcing based on 30 State rules and regulations. 31 Commissioner Bedford said her daughter lives in a group home that is run by the State, 32 and it is immaculate. She said reports need to be filed, and the press needs to be brought in; 33 whatever it takes. 34 Commissioner Price asked if the completed reports carry any weight. 35 Michael Zuber said the reports are put on the County website and are mailed to 36 administrators, but there is not much push for change. 37 Commissioner Price asked if Janice Tyler reports findings to DSS. 38 Janice Tyler said DSS is typically the connection or the Ombudsman. 39 Michael Zuber said the Ombudsman usually follows up, and it is usually the same 40 facilities that have recurring problems. 41 Chair Rich asked if there is high turnover due to low pay. 42 Michael Zuber said probably, and he was part of a recent visit where he saw an 43 unattended med cart in the hallway, which he brought up to the staff who did not seem at all 44 concerned. He said these are issues that cannot be swept under the rug. He said many 45 counties are struggling with similar issues, but there needs to be good, affordable, quality care. 46 Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to have a Board of County Commissioners 47 representative at these meetings. 48 Michael Zuber said they meet at 4 p.m. every two months, and are trying to have more 49 field meetings with the administrators.