Inspection Reports for
Elegance Berkeley

The facility was generally well maintained with adequate safety measures such as fire safety equipment and emergency plans. However, deficiencies were cited related to unlocked disinfectants posing safety risks, incomplete personnel records, and a staff member not properly associated with the facility. Civil penalties were assessed for failure to correct deficiencies.

The complaint was substantiated. Allegations included failure to ensure residents received medications, inadequate supervision, communication failures with medical staff, and fax machine disrepair. Interviews and records confirmed these issues.

The investigation substantiated the allegations that staff did not ensure residents received medications properly, supervision was inadequate especially related to resident elopement, medical staff communication was hindered by a non-working fax machine, and the facility fax was confirmed to be in disrepair.

The facility had three deficiencies from a prior inspection on 2025-05-02 that were not cleared, related to HVAC system repairs, notification to a resident's physician, and confidentiality of resident records. Civil penalties totaling $3300 were assessed for failure to correct these deficiencies.

The complaint investigation was substantiated. Allegations included improper reassessment of residents' care needs and failure to ensure thermostats were working properly. The investigation involved interviews with staff and residents, review of records, and on-site observations. The preponderance of evidence supported the allegations.

The investigation substantiated two allegations: staff did not ensure residents' thermostats were working properly, affecting temperature regulation in some apartments, and staff failed to properly reassess residents' care needs, including failure to provide written records to the resident's physician. Deficiencies were cited accordingly.

The complaint was substantiated. Allegations included staff allowing a resident to be soiled while in care and mishandling a resident's medication. Evidence included staff and witness interviews, record reviews, and observations confirming the allegations.

The investigation substantiated that staff allowed a resident to remain soiled for several hours and mishandled medication administration, including failure to document time, date, and dosage. The facility lacked sufficient and competent staff to meet resident needs.

The visit was complaint-related, involving amended complaints 15-AS-20241223152240 and 15-AS-20241223091751. The complaint was substantiated by the finding that the Interim Executive Director did not comply with reporting requirements for a resident's death.

The facility failed to provide timely written reports of a resident's death within seven days, posing a potential health and safety risk. There were also issues with documentation and signatures for updated incontinence care plans for residents and their responsible parties.

The complaint investigation was substantiated based on evidence including staff and witness interviews, observations, and record reviews. Allegations of neglect, staff sleeping on duty, and verbal abuse were confirmed. Other complaints were found unsubstantiated due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The investigation substantiated allegations that staff left residents in soiled diapers for extended periods resulting in injury, staff were sleeping during work hours without approved accommodations, and staff screamed at residents, posing potential health and safety risks. Other allegations such as staff eating residents' food and not allowing residents to watch TV were unsubstantiated.

The complaint was substantiated based on evidence that staff did not maintain residents' rooms safely and cleanly, did not safeguard personal belongings, failed to properly maintain records, and did not properly manage or dispense medications. Some allegations about laundry services, mail delivery, and dietary care plans were found unsubstantiated.

The investigation substantiated several allegations including failure to maintain residents' rooms in a safe and sanitary condition, failure to safeguard residents' personal belongings, improper maintenance of residents' records, and improper management and dispensing of medications. Some allegations related to laundry services, mail delivery, and dietary care plans were unsubstantiated.

The visit was complaint-related, involving a needs further investigation and case management regarding Resident #1. The complaint was substantiated by the finding that the reappraisal was overdue.

The licensee failed to complete the required annual reappraisal and functional evaluation for Resident #1 by the due date, posing an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

The complaint investigation found substantiated issues including failure to report blood in resident's urine on different occasions in April, July, and August 2024, lack of updated physician's report and reappraisal for a resident with dementia, and unreported medication errors.

The licensee failed to report blood in a resident's urine on multiple occasions, did not have an updated physician's report or reappraisal for a resident with dementia, and medication errors were identified that were not reported to the licensing agency. An immediate civil penalty of $250 was assessed.

The complaint involved an Assisted Living Resident who left the facility unassisted on 09/08/2024 and was found by the Berkeley Fire Department and taken to the hospital. The facility did not notify Community Care Licensing until 09/09/2024. Additionally, a staff member tested positive for COVID on or around 09/07/2024 but the incident was not reported to CCLD as required.

The licensee failed to prevent R1 from leaving unassisted, posing an immediate safety risk, and failed to report the incident and a COVID positive case within required timelines. An immediate civil penalty of $250 was assessed.

The visit was triggered by a complaint resulting in an unannounced initial 10-day complaint visit. Deficiency cited to LIC D. Failure to correct the deficiency and/or repeat deficiencies within a 12-month period may result in civil penalties.

The licensee was found deficient for failing to have an updated annual medical assessment and reappraisal for Resident 1, which poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk. A deficiency was cited to LIC D with a warning that failure to correct may result in civil penalties.

The complaint was substantiated regarding uncleared adults on the premises.

The allegation of uncleared adults on the premises was substantiated. A deficiency was cited under LIC809D on 08/21/2024 during the annual inspection. The complaint was closed following the investigation.

The facility was generally found to be safe and sanitary with adequate lighting, temperature, and supplies. However, deficiencies were cited due to the Executive Director not having criminal record clearance on file and incomplete personnel records for all seven reviewed staff files. A civil penalty was assessed.

The complaint was substantiated regarding failure to provide requested resident records. The responsible party stated multiple requests were made in October 2023 without response. The facility did not have a Power of Attorney on record. The allegation regarding failure to follow COVID procedures was unsubstantiated.

The allegation that the facility did not provide family with requested resident records was substantiated, with evidence showing that resident #1's records were not provided to the responsible party despite multiple requests. The allegation that the facility did not follow COVID procedures was unsubstantiated, as the facility maintained an Infection Control Plan and complied with relevant regulations.

Complaint investigation was substantiated based on evidence including interviews, observations, and document reviews. Allegations involved neglect of resident care needs, improper facility maintenance, and failure to safeguard resident belongings. One allegation regarding facility grounds security was unsubstantiated due to lack of evidence.

The investigation substantiated multiple allegations including residents being left in soiled clothing, improper maintenance of resident's bedroom and facility grounds, failure to meet incontinence needs, removal of resident's hygiene products, inadequate supervision of a resident, and failure to safeguard personal belongings. One allegation regarding facility grounds security was unsubstantiated.

The complaint was substantiated. Allegations included unlawful eviction and failure to provide requested documents to the resident's POA. The preponderance of evidence standard was met, confirming the allegations.

The investigation substantiated that the eviction letter dated 12/5/2023 was unlawful and that the facility failed to provide the requested documents to the resident's POA. Deficiencies were cited under California Health and Safety Code related to eviction procedures and admission agreements.

Complaint investigation was initiated based on allegations received on 05/23/2023. The allegation that the facility was in disrepair was substantiated. Allegations that staff did not dispense medication as prescribed, did not keep the facility free of pests, and left resident unattended were unsubstantiated.

The allegation that the facility was in disrepair was substantiated due to a kitchen electrical outlet being in disrepair, posing a potential health and safety risk. Allegations regarding medication dispensing, pest control, and resident supervision were found to be unsubstantiated.

The facility was generally found to be safe and sanitary with adequate fire safety equipment, emergency plans, and environmental conditions. However, a deficiency was cited because the Interim-Executive Director did not have criminal record clearance, posing an immediate risk to persons in care.

The facility was toured and evaluated for compliance with licensing requirements. Corrections were observed including water temperature needing adjustment and staff association requirements. The facility was not ready to be licensed at the time of inspection.