435201057-5-2-2024-26-AS-SGRE-D83TBP-20240812143526

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 435201057
Report Date: 05/02/2024
Date Signed: 05/02/2024 01:08:47 PM

Unfounded

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2580 N. FIRST STREET, STE. 350
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/27/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Walden

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 26-AS-20240227125932

FACILITY NAME:	SARATOGA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY		FACILITY NUMBER:	435201057
ADMINISTRATOR:	SARAH STEL		FACILITY TYPE:	741
ADDRESS:	14500 FRUITVALE AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(408) 741-7100
CITY:	SARATOGA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95070
CAPACITY:	418	CENSUS:	DATE:	05/02/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:35 AM
MET WITH:			TIME COMPLETED:	10:45 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Provider proposes to pass on the costs of the proposed Affordable Housing expansion to the residents.
CCRC staff listened in on a resident association meeting via zoom
CCRC is Limiting and/or restricting the ability of residents to communicate with the Provider Board and informing them they must go through the Executive Director to communicate.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Based upon the review and investigation into the first allegation (Provider proposes to pass on the costs of the proposed Affordable Housing expansion to the residents), the Financial Analyst met with the complainant, and discussed the proposed Affordable Housing project and the Provider passing the discounted costs on to the residents. Being that the project is still in the planning phase and no fees have been passed on, there is no violation; therefore, this allegation is unfounded.

Based upon the review and investigation into the second allegation (CCRC staff listened in on a resident association meeting via zoom), AGPA conducted interviews with staff and residents. The February 9, 2024, resident association meeting began at 2:00PM and ended at 3:35PM. The Zoom log showed that the Executive Secretary attended online part of the Resident Association meeting from 2:13p to 2:43pm for a total of 30 minutes.
Cont...

Unfounded

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Allison Nakatomi	TELEPHONE: (916) 531-5336
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Walden	TELEPHONE: (916) 651-8148
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/02/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 26-AS-20240227125932

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2580 N. FIRST STREET, STE. 350
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: SARATOGA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY	FACILITY NUMBER: 435201057
	VISIT DATE: 05/02/2024

NARRATIVE

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Cont.

HSC section 1771(d)(1) requires that “at least part of the meeting shall be conducted without the presence of continuing care retirement community personnel”, based on the times provided, part of the meeting was conducted without CCRC personnel. The statutes do not prohibit CCRC personnel being present and in this case the staff member was not asked to leave the meeting; therefore, this allegation is unfounded.

Based upon the review and investigation into the third allegation (CCRC is Limiting and/or restricting the ability of residents to communicate with the Provider Board and informing them they must go through the Executive Director to communicate). AGPA reviewed Saratoga Retirement Communities Communications Policy and Residents’ Handbook, dated January 2023. Both address the communication policy and steps residents can take to address questions and issues. AGPA found that the policies are in compliance with HSC section 1771.7(c)(4). In addition, there is no evidence that the community, nor providers, failed to follow the channels of communication listed in the Communications Policy or Residents’ Handbook; therefore, this allegation is unfounded.

The Department has investigated the above allegations, and has determined that the allegations are Unfounded, meaning that the allegations were not supported or proven by evidence.

Findings were delivered via telephone with Sarah Stel, Executive Director. Signed copy emailed and saved in file.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Allison Nakatomi	TELEPHONE: (916) 531-5336
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Walden	TELEPHONE: (916) 651-8148
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/02/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/29/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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