Regulators Defend Decision To Shut Down Senior Home With Little Notice, Leaving Families Scrambling

LIVONIA (WWJ) One week after the abrupt closure of a Livonia displaced residents and scared families, senior living center state regulators are defending the move, saying it was caused by a series of fire code violations that put residents at "immediate risk."

"The bureau of fire services did visit in December, March and May, we also found some care issues there. But the immediate threat in the emergency case, was due to the fire inspection report," said Larry Horvath, director for the Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems, which made the decision.

According to the Free Press, "In February, an 86-year-old woman fell in her bedroom around midnight and was on the floor for six hours before staff noticed her. When she was taken to a hospital, she had suffered circulation and kidney problems and bruising to her face, among other injuries.

"It turned out that the staff not only failed to check on the residents or change their undergarments that night, but falsified reports saying they had checked, the order states."

The roughly 80 residents of the Ashley Court senior center and their families were given just six hours by the state to get out of the facility, leading to mass confusion.

Among potential changes being examined as a result is the mandatory notification of city officials in the event of future closures of adult care facilities.