Inspection Reports for Better Living of Walcott
510 N. Main Street, Walcott, IA, 52773
Back to Facility ProfileInspection Report Summary
The most recent inspection on March 12, 2025, identified deficiencies related to timely evaluations and service plan development and updates for tenants. Earlier inspections showed a pattern of issues with service planning, incident documentation, staffing coverage, and infection control measures, with multiple citations noted over time. Deficiencies mainly involved incomplete or untimely tenant evaluations, inadequate service plans, insufficient staffing in the dementia program, and lapses in infection control practices. Complaint investigations included substantiated findings such as failure to document incidents and inadequate staffing, while most complaints were addressed through these inspections. The facility’s record shows ongoing challenges with regulatory compliance, with no clear trend of improvement based on the recent findings.
Deficiencies (last 4 years)
Deficiencies (over 4 years)
6.8 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
55% worse than Iowa average
Iowa average: 4.4 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
16
12
8
4
0
Census
Latest occupancy rate
23 residents
Based on a March 2025 inspection.
This facility has shown a steady increase in demand based on occupancy rates.
Census over time
Inspection Report
Renewal
Census: 23
Deficiencies: 3
Date: Mar 12, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a recertification visit to determine compliance with the recertification of an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.
Findings
The program failed to complete evaluations within 30 days of admission for 1 of 3 tenants, failed to ensure service plans were developed prior to occupancy agreements for 2 of 3 tenants, and failed to update service plans for 3 of 4 tenants when they experienced significant changes.
Deficiencies (3)
Failed to complete evaluations within 30 days of admission for 1 of 3 tenants.
Failed to ensure service plans were developed prior to occupancy agreements for 2 of 3 tenants.
Failed to update service plans for 3 of 4 tenants when they experienced significant changes.
Report Facts
Number of tenants without cognitive impairment: 16
Number of tenants with cognitive impairment: 7
Total census: 23
Tenants reviewed for service plans: 3
Tenants reviewed for service plan updates: 4
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Wellness Director | Confirmed failure to complete evaluations and update service plans | |
| Regional Director of Operations | Confirmed findings on 3/13/25 | |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Noted assistance required for transfers and documented incident reports | |
| Chief Clinical Officer | Reported tenant injury and hospitalization |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 5
Deficiencies: 4
Date: Oct 5, 2022
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as an investigation into complaints #102871-C and #106604-C regarding regulatory insufficiencies at the assisted living program.
Complaint Details
The investigation was triggered by complaints #102871-C and #106604-C. The findings included failure to document incidents, retention of a bed-bound tenant, inadequate response to medical orders, and insufficient staffing coverage.
Findings
The program failed to document incidents for a discharged tenant, retained a bed-bound tenant exceeding level of care, failed to provide timely response to outside provider orders, and did not ensure 24-hour awake staff coverage in the dementia-specific assisted living program.
Deficiencies (4)
Failed to document incidents for 1 of 1 discharged tenants reviewed.
Retained 1 of 2 tenants who exceeded level of care by being bed-bound.
Failed to consistently provide adequate services and respond to outside provider orders in a timely manner for 1 of 2 tenants reviewed.
Failed to ensure a staff person on-site in the dementia-specific assisted living program 24 hours a day, potentially affecting 5 of 5 tenants.
Report Facts
Number of tenants with cognitive disorder: 5
Number of tenants without cognitive disorder: 0
Total census: 5
Dates of observations: 3
Date of service plan: Aug 15, 2022
Date of verbal order: Jul 5, 2022
Date of x-ray: Sep 14, 2022
Inspection Report
Renewal
Census: 6
Deficiencies: 16
Date: Jan 18, 2022
Visit Reason
A recertification visit was conducted to determine compliance with certification for an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia, including an onsite infection control survey and complaint investigations.
Complaint Details
Complaints #102062-C, 101743-C, 101741-C, 101740-C, 101739-C, 101738-C, 101728-C, 101988-C, 102087-C, and 102112-C were investigated during the visit.
Findings
The program failed to follow established policies and procedures related to COVID-19 control measures, incident reporting, abuse prevention, tenant rights, medication administration, staffing, and service plans. Multiple regulatory insufficiencies were cited affecting all tenants in the program.
Deficiencies (16)
Staff failed to wear masks appropriately during multiple observations from 1/18 to 2/9/22, potentially affecting all 6 tenants.
Program failed to complete incident reports as required, affecting 6 tenants and 1 of 3 closed files reviewed.
Program failed to keep copies of completed incident reports on file for three years, affecting 6 tenants.
Program failed to develop and implement policies for allegations of dependent adult abuse, affecting 6 tenants.
Program failed to separate victim and alleged abuser in dependent adult abuse cases, affecting 6 tenants.
Program failed to ensure tenants received appropriate and adequate services in a timely manner, affecting 1 current tenant and potentially 6 tenants.
Program failed to evaluate tenant functional, cognitive, and health status prior to occupancy for 1 tenant.
Program failed to evaluate tenant functional, cognitive, and health status annually and with significant change for 1 tenant.
Program failed to protect tenant records from loss, damage, and unauthorized use, affecting 6 tenants.
Program failed to update service plans within 30 days of occupancy and with significant changes for 1 tenant.
Program failed to ensure medications were administered by properly trained staff and documentation was complete, affecting 5 of 6 staff.
Program failed to ensure staff completed required training for medication administration within required timeframes.
Program failed to have a system/program/staff procedures directing how to respond to emergency needs of tenants, affecting 1 tenant and potentially 6 tenants.
Program failed to monitor tenants as indicated in service plans and failed to provide direction for staff to check on tenants.
Program failed to ensure delegating nurses completed required training within six months of hire, affecting 6 tenants.
Program failed to ensure respite care services did not exceed 30 consecutive days or 60 days in a 12-month period for 1 tenant.
Report Facts
Number of tenants without cognitive disorder: 2
Number of tenants with cognitive disorder: 4
Total Census: 6
Number of staff who failed medication training: 3
Number of staff who had not completed medication training within required timeframe: 2
Number of tenants affected by various deficiencies: 6
Inspection Report
Abbreviated Survey
Census: 11
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Nov 24, 2020
Visit Reason
The inspection was an infection control survey conducted from November 17 to November 24, 2020, to assess compliance with COVID-19 related policies and procedures.
Findings
The program failed to follow its COVID-19 related policies and procedures, specifically regarding the use of eye protection by staff and maintaining six feet distancing during communal dining. Staff were observed not wearing eye protection, and tenants in memory care dined together without proper distancing.
Deficiencies (2)
Failure to follow COVID-19 policy requiring staff to wear eye protection including goggles/face shields.
Tenants were seated at the same tables without maintaining six feet apart during meals.
Report Facts
Census: 11
Inspection Report
Original Licensing
Census: 11
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Oct 14, 2019
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as an initial certification visit to determine compliance with certification for a Dedicated Dementia Specific Assisted Living Program.
Findings
The program failed to consistently implement policies and procedures regarding incident reports and failed to develop service plans reflecting the identified needs of tenants. Specific deficiencies were noted related to program policies and procedures and service plans.
Deficiencies (2)
Program policies and procedures, including those for incident reports, were not consistently implemented.
Service plans were not developed to reflect the identified needs of tenants.
Report Facts
Number of tenants with cognitive disorder: 11
Number of tenants without cognitive disorder: 0
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Collins | Director | Named as recipient of Plan of Correction letter |
| Tonya Weed | Wellness Director | Named in Plan of Correction for corrective actions and monitoring |
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