Shocking Conditions Lead to Closure of Multiple Care Facilities in Florence and Hartsville
Florence, S.C. — Residents and their families are in a state of disbelief following the alarming closure of residential care facilities in the Florence and Hartsville areas. It turns out, reports filed by state officials reveal a grim picture of neglect, with a plethora of issues ranging from bed bugs to an **offensive odor** of urine. Yes, you heard it right!
What Happened?
Last month, on November 18, the state Department of Health stepped in to shut down multiple campuses operated by Patriot Living, a company linked to Greer-based Cunningham-Waters Construction Company. Inspections revealed the facilities were in **squalid** conditions that were simply unacceptable for the almost 160 residents who called them home.
In a Jan. 17 evaluation of one facility located at 739 S. Parker Drive, inspectors discovered multiple alarming issues. For starters, a medication cart audit raised eyebrows, revealing incomplete records that could jeopardize residents’ well-being. To top it off, window blinds hanging limply on the floor and the absence of a “no smoking” sign on the door of an oxygen-receiving resident were signs of a facility in distress.
A Series of Red Flags
February 1 rolled around, and a follow-up revealed the facility still floundering, earning yet another **0.0 rating**. By April, the situation had not improved: inspectors found holes in the floor, broken chairs, and toilets that were dangerously not secured.
July brought even more dismay when an audit resulted in another **0.0 rating**, with the auditors discovering inside temperatures soaring to a sweltering 84 degrees in the dining room. If that wasn’t enough, the presence of bed bugs, roaches, and even spiders on the walls and under beds was alarming. What was going on?
August’s Inspection Had Even More Alarming Findings
The inspection from August laid bare an even graver situation. Mold was spreading on a DVD player and near other resident belongings, while the unpleasant **pungent odors** of urine and cigarette smoke hung thick in the air. Talk about a troubling living environment!
Issues Extended Beyond Florence
It wasn’t just Florence that suffered. Documents show that the Hartsville facility wasn’t faring well either. On May 13, one inspection produced a shocking **0.0 rating**, with multiple plumbing problems leading to water temperatures that were far from safe for residents. Two bathrooms registered a chilling 80 degrees and a barely-there 91 degrees, while another area was alarmingly hot at 133 degrees. Those temperatures are not suitable for anyone!
Fast forward to late May, another inspection at the E. Home Avenue facility was performed, and once again, a **0.0 rating** was issued. This time inspectors reported that 16 residential rooms were not falling within the acceptable temperature range of **72-78 degrees**. Can you imagine being stuck in a room that felt as hot as a sauna?
The Aftermath
As concerns continue to rise, the future for the residents remains uncertain. While officials have set a timeline for corrective action, the facts speak for themselves and have left families unsettled and worried.
Keeping our loved ones safe and healthy in care facilities is paramount. As the residents are being transferred and families are watching carefully, the hope is that they find better living conditions than what was experienced in these closures.
This situation serves as a significant reminder of the importance of oversight in facilities that care for our vulnerable populations. Let’s hope for swift action and improved standards to ensure such distressing circumstances never happen again.
