Poway Gardens Senior Living - The Palms

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Amy Domingo conducted an unannounced Required Annual Inspection. The facility file was reviewed prior to the visit. LPA Domingo was welcomed by, identified herself to, and discussed the purpose of the visit with Med Tech Supervisor Aurea De Leon Beltran. According to the facility’s license, the facility serves twenty four (24) elderly residents age sixty (60) and above; twenty (20) of whom may be ambulatory and four (4) bedridden residents and six (6) Hospice residents. The facility is approved for delayed egress and secured perimeters. During today’s inspection, there were a total of fourteen (14) clients in care. LPA, accompanied by licensee’s staff, toured the interior and exterior of the facility, and inspected each room. The facility was clean, sanitary, and in good repair. Pathways were free of obstruction and slip hazards. Client bedrooms contained the required furnishings. Doors, windows and screens, toilets, and showers were in working order. Extra linens and hygiene supplies were present, as well as Personal Protective Equipment. The facility had sufficient space and equipment to facilitate dining, laundry, visitation, meetings, and client activities. Call box was available in each resident unit and were tested for functionality. Resident's room temperatures were within a comfortable range. The facility’s ambient internal temperature was 74 F. Hot water temperature at taps accessible to clients were all compliant: Kitchen sink was 110 F, Bathroom #1 sink was 112 F. [CONTINUED ON LIC 809C] [CONTINUED FROM LIC 809] Refrigerator temperature was 34 F and freezer temperature was -1 F. There was at least 2 days of perishable food, and at least 7 days non-perishable food present, all safely stored in the main kitchen. Cooking/dining equipment and utensils were present. There were no sharp objects, toxic chemicals/poisons, fireplaces, or open-faced heaters accessible to clients. Medications were labeled, as required, and stored in locked areas. No pools or bodies of water were observed on the premises. Per the licensee's staff, no firearms or ammunition are kept at the facility. Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, emergency lighting, and facility telephone were all working. Fire extinguisher(s) were serviced within the last 12 months. First aid kit(s) were complete and readily accessible. Required licensing postings were observed in visible areas of the facility. LPAs interviewed multiple staff and clients. LPA reviewed multiple staff and client records/files. The interviews did not raise any significant licensing concerns. LPA observed that residents were being treated with dignity by staff, and there were sufficient staff on duty to meet resident’s needs. The reviewed files contained required documents. Confidential records were stored in locked areas. No deficiencies were observed or cited during today's annual inspection. An exit interview was conducted with Aurea, to whom a copy of this report and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided during the visit.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, May 31, 2026

Allegation investigated: Licensee is not addressing mold at the facility. Licensee does not ensure that required posters are posted at facility.

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Correia conducted an unannounced visit to commence and conclude a complaint investigation. LPA Correia was met by Executive Director (ED) Melissa Watkins, identified herself, and explained the purpose of the visit. The Department's investigation included staff and outside source interviews, a facility record review, and a facility tour. On September 3, 2025, the Department received a complaint alleging the Licensee did not address mold at the facility and the facility is not displaying the required postings. An interview conducted with Outside Source1 (OS1) revealed there was a leak at the facility that affected the area under the kitchen sink, in the facility laundry room, and the hair salon that resulted in mold at the facility. [Continued on LIC 9099C] Unsubstantiated [Continuation of LIC 9099] An interview conducted with the Executive Director revealed the leak had been fixed on August 15, 2025, and provided a corroborating invoice for repair. A facility tour and staff interview revealed the areas damaged by the leak had been removed in preparation for new installation of dry wall and repairs. The areas affected were all inaccessible to residents in care and there was no food in the surrounding area of the kitchen. The interview with the ED also provided a contractor’s bid and revealed waiting for two more bids for the facility to undergo repair/remodel in the affected areas. Regarding the allegation that the facility did not have the required posting. An interview with OS1 disclosed that the facility did not have Community Care Licensing (CCL) posting with the Complaint Bureau's contact information, however upon entering the facility the posting was in direct view at the entrance. Pictures were secured for evidentiary purposes. Based on interviews, record reviews, and a facility tour the above listed allegations were determined to be Unsubstantiated. This finding means the preponderance of evidence standard was not met. An exit interview was conducted with ED Watkins and a copy of this report along with Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC 9058 03/22) will be provided at the conclusion of the visit.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Sep 9, 2025 · control 08-AS-20250909091101

Allegation investigated: Staff did not treat the resident with dignity.

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Correia conducted an unannounced visit to commence and conclude a complaint investigation. LPA Correia was met by Executive Director (ED) Melissa Watkins, identified herself, and explained the purpose of the visit. The Department's investigation included Staff and outside source interviews, and staff and resident records reviews. On August 4, 2025, the Department received a complaint that alleged facility staff did not treat Resident 1 (R1) with dignity. A review of R1’s facility records revealed they were admitted to the facility on July 8, 2025, with several diagnoses including but not limited to cognitive communication deficit, Dementia, Depression, and Anxiety. Records also revealed R1 was non-ambulatory and required transfer assistance in and out of bed, assistance with ambulating throughout the facility and dressing. [Continued on LIC 9099C] Unsubstantiated [Continuation of LIC 9099] An interview conducted with Outside Source1 (OS1) revealed R1 disclosed that Staff1 (S1) was rough while they assisted them with a change of clothes and was told to “shut up”. OS1 could not determine if this was an isolated event or two events based on R1’s statement. OS1 also revealed R1 recently lost their partner of over 40 years and was relocated to their current placement and that R1 has made complaints at every prior placement. OS1 stated R1 could not provide a name of staff or date of the occurrence, just that it was a gentleman. An interview conducted with the Executive Director (ED) revealed being notified of the incident and was able to identify S1 by the staff schedule and gender. A review of S1’s records revealed no prior issues or incidents, and S1 has worked at the facility since 2020, prior to the change of ownership. An interview conducted with S1 revealed they had assisted R1 with a change of clothing (from pajamas to day clothes) but there was never an issue. The ED also revealed knowledge of R1’s history of complaints and a history of issues with R1 and male caregivers. In response, the ED assigned only female staff to assist R1 and has not had any issues since. An interview conducted with the RSD corroborated the ED's statements. Several attempts were made to contact R1’s Responsible Party (RP) and other facility staff for statements to no avail. However, a review of R1’s Department records revealed an interview with Outside Source 2 (OS2) conducted on May 13, 2025, that revealed R1 was not oriented and made inaccurate statements. Based on interviews and record reviews the above listed allegation was determined Unsubstantiated. This finding means the preponderance of evidence standard was not met. An exit interview was conducted with ED Watkins and a copy of this report along with Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC 9058 03/22) will be provided at the conclusion of the visit.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 7, 2025 · control 08-AS-20250807140225

Type of visit: Prelicensing

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Debbie Correia conducted a Pre-licensing and Component III visit to observe the physical plant for compliance per Title 22, Division 6 of the CA Code of Regulations and Health & Safety codes. LPA Correia was met by Executive Director (ED) Williams and Administrator Anding, identified herself, and was granted entry into the facility. LPA Correia conducted a resident and staff facility records reviews and accompanied by ED Williams and Administrator Anding, a tour of the interior and exterior of the facility's physical plant. LPA Correia observed resident accommodations including required furnishings and linens. The resident bathrooms were equipped with non-skid flooring and grab bars, the water temperature read with in regulation, ranging between 107.6 and 109.3 F in bathroom faucets and resident showers, a secure location for administrative records was observed; as well as a locked cart for medications and locked cabinets for toxins. A first aid kit and manual were present. LPA observed an adequate amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear. Fire extinguishers are affixed with current tags. Facility staff conducted their last disaster drill on February 26, 2024; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and operable; facility posting requirements were present in a common area and the facility administrators certification is current until June 22, 2024. Staff and resident records were complete. LPA observed 7 days of non-perishable and 2 days of perishable food. The facility employs a Resident Activities Director. The ED provided a copy of the monthly calendar with scheduled activities, the facility also employs a dietician and provided a copy of the monthly menu. LPA observed shaded outdoor areas, and a large common room for resident activities. Per ED Williams there are no firearms or weapons on the premises. Facility equipped with delayed egress and signaling at each entry/exit way. Fire clearance has been received and approved. The facility is ready for Licensure once reviewed and approved by the program manager.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Apr 18, 2024