F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
E

Unsanitary South Shower Room With Inadequate Hot Water

Aperion Care DekalbDekalb, Illinois Survey Completed on 04-01-2026

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain the south shower room in a safe, sanitary, functional, and comfortable condition for 51 residents residing on the south wing. Multiple residents reported that the south shower room did not provide adequately warm water, describing the water as cold to lukewarm and stating they preferred to use the north shower room instead. One resident stated it would be nice if the shower room on that side of the building had warm water and that they had been required to shower there a few times in cold to lukewarm water. Another resident confirmed receiving showers in the north shower room because the south shower did not have warm water. Staff interviews and direct observations further documented unsanitary and uncomfortable conditions in the south shower room. During a tour with an LPN, the surveyor observed black spots all over the shower room ceiling and walls, with a concentration near a rusted vent grate that had peeling paint, and noted a musty odor throughout the room. The LPN stated it looked like mold and attributed the odor to it. Another LPN reported trying to prevent residents from using the south shower due to lack of hot water and “gross” growth on the walls, and stated that most residents refused that shower room, although some CNAs and hospice CNAs still used it. A CNA and an activities aide both stated that the mold, smell, and lack of warm water had been ongoing issues since January and that management had been notified, but they did not believe anything was being done. The Maintenance Director confirmed the presence of black spots on the ceiling and walls and a rusted vent grate, describing the substance as likely mildew from water and lack of ventilation, and acknowledged the exhaust fan had been broken for an unknown period and had not been reported by staff. With the shower running, the water temperature in the south shower was measured at 89.2°F after six minutes and 94°F after ten minutes, and the Maintenance Director stated he would not want to shower in that water and that it should not take that long to warm up. He noted that the sink across the hall reached 109°F, suggesting a possible valve issue in the shower. The DON stated she was not aware of mold/mildew or water temperature concerns in the south shower room, although she used the room without looking at the walls or ceiling, and acknowledged that mold/mildew could put residents at risk for health concerns and that residents are encouraged to take showers rather than bed baths. The Administrator acknowledged seeing black spots on the ceiling and walls and a rusted vent, and confirmed there was no general maintenance or mold policy available when requested by the surveyor.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0921 citations
Unsanitary Hair Salon and Open Kitchen Drain
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

An open floor drain near the dish machine was observed without a grate, and the FSM confirmed it had no grate and was unsure how long it had been open. In the Hair Salon, the sink drain filter had a glob of hair, and 3 brushes plus a box of hair curlers had hair on them; the AD and HS both confirmed the unsanitary conditions, and the HS stated she might have forgotten to clean the salon after the beautician visit.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Dirty resident room and unclean memory care dining room
E
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident room was observed in disrepair with unpainted wall areas, black marks, discoloration, ceiling staining, and scuffed, missing paint on the door frame, and the same conditions remained on follow-up. The memory care dining room floor also had food crumbs and debris under multiple tables; an LPN said it appeared not to have been cleaned after the prior night's meal, and the administrator confirmed the food was still present.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks
F
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Leaking and Loose Faucets in Facility Sinks: During a facility tour, a beauty shop style sink was observed leaking where the faucet connected to the sink, and maintenance staff stated they were not aware it needed repair. A sink in the soiled linens room on D/F Hall was also observed with a loose swivel faucet that leaked when turned on, and maintenance staff confirmed the observation.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Sharps Containers Left Full and Unusable
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Sharps containers on a locked dementia unit were observed full to the point that they could not be opened, including one in a shower room with three uncapped used disposable razors sitting on top of it and another on a medication cart. The DON and an LPN confirmed the containers were unusable, and the LPN noted two residents on the unit required routine blood glucose monitoring with lancets that would need disposal in a sharps container.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Resident Room Walls Found Moist, Stained, and Damaged
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

Resident room walls were observed with moisture, black/gray staining resembling mildew or mold-like substance, bubbling paint, cracks, gouges, and dirty vents in multiple rooms, including B-2, B-4, B-6, B-8, B-10, and B-12. The Tel's record review showed no reports about the wall conditions for the past 6 months, and the ADM stated the moisture had been present for a while and had not previously been brought to the ADM and Maintenance Director's attention.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Broken Bedside Table Within Resident Reach
D
F0921 F921: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment and anticoagulant use had a bedside table within reach that was observed to be broken, with an unfinished edge, exposed particle board, splinters, and wood chips on the tabletop. A CNA confirmed the table was in poor repair and accessible to the resident.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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