An Edmonds adult family home is challenging a decision by the state Department of Social and Health Services to suspend and move toward revocation of its license, preventing it from caring for residents.
The action was taken by the state agency in February against Rose Manor Inc., at 832 Pine St. It has been licensed as an adult family home since May 2001.
At the time, it was caring for four patients ranging in age from their 50s to their 90s. Their medical issues included dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders, according to state documents.
In a letter to the owner, Sharon Weaver, DSHS officials said they took the action based on the findings of a Feb. 1 inspection. State employees determined that residents “are in imminent danger,” the letter says, in part because one resident fell and fractured her arm.
In a Feb. 26 administrative hearing, it was determined the suspension of Weaver’s license should be upheld. That means “if she is caring for anyone … she shouldn’t be,” said Julie Lord, DSHS regional administrator.
On Feb. 28 Weaver said she has one resident remaining at Rose Manor, which also is the owner’s home.
A hearing on the merits of the case has been scheduled for March 23. The state, Lord said, is recommending revocation of Weaver’s license.
“I believe there was no incident that should have resulted in the action the department took,” said Tom Grimm, Weaver’s attorney, prior to Monday’s hearing.
“Having reviewed the evidence and taken statements from family members as well as Mrs. Weaver, there is … no danger to those residents whatsoever.”
Grimm said he has been involved with long-term care cases since 1978. “I have not seen such a strong showing of support from family members and concern (as I have) about this caregiver,” he said. “They really believe in her.”
The patient with the fractured arm was one of four patients being transported in a van. According to state documents, Weaver said that the patient repeatedly unlatched her seat belt and that Weaver had stopped the van several times to rebuckle it.
When the driver had to brake abruptly, the patient, who by one account had unbuckled her seat belt again, tumbled to the floor of the van,, according to the state.
The documents also allege the patients were left in the locked van with the motor running while Weaver went into a store to run an errand.
“Those residents all had supervision needs and should never have been left alone,” Lord said.
Sharon Salyer is a reporter with The Herald in Everett. Sue Waldburger, reporter for The Enterprise, contributed to this article.
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