F0609

D

Failure to Report Suspected Financial Abuse to Required Agencies

Clearlake, California Survey Completed on 02-24-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to report suspected financial abuse of a resident by the resident’s caregiver to law enforcement, the LTC ombudsman, or the State Agency (CDPH), despite multiple staff members forming suspicions of exploitation. The resident was admitted in November 2025 with diagnoses of essential HTN and Type II DM. The Social Services Director (SSD) reported that both she and the resident’s son believed the caregiver was taking advantage of the resident’s finances and expressed concern that the caregiver was holding the resident’s credit card. The SSD acknowledged she suspected financial abuse and agreed it should have been reported as such, but she did not report it because she believed the resident had an emotional attachment to the caregiver and the resident did not complain.

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) stated that concerns raised by the resident’s son about the caregiver keeping the resident’s credit card and being paid while the resident remained in the facility warranted further investigation and reporting to appropriate agencies. A licensed nurse (LN B) also stated she suspected financial abuse when she learned the caregiver had the resident’s credit card and believed the caregiver used it, and acknowledged these suspicions should have been reported to CDPH and the police. Review of the facility’s Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation and Misappropriation Prevention Program policy and CDPH All Facilities Letter 21-26 showed that the facility was required to identify, investigate, and report all possible incidents of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of property, including suspected abuse by family, friends, or other individuals, to law enforcement, the LTC ombudsman, and CDPH. These required reports were not made in this case.