State yanks license for adult group home

Report cites disturbing treatment of residents and too few staff

The state has suspended licensing and is taking action to revoke the license for an adult foster care group home in Clarkston following an investigation that reportedly turned up improper care of residents and staffing shortages.

A detailed report from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs cites a number of complaints against Adultcare of Independence Township’s Heather Pines, as provided by visiting hospice care staff and residents’ family members. The complaints allege disturbing findings including, but not limited to:

• A resident whose neck wound was infested with dozens of maggots which had tunneled through his tissue

• A resident who had died while sitting at a dining room table but the death wasn’t noticed until a relative visited hours later

• Residents left in soiled diapers for extended periods of time

• Residents not receiving medication, blood draws, oxygen and other prescribed health care physicians

• Residents being left on the floor after falling out of bed According to the report, the facility has had prior violations. LARA’s most recent investigation of the facility, located at 8541 Eston Road, began in May. Current and former staff were interviewed as part of the investigation.

Several violations of the Adult Foster Care Facility and Licensing Act, as well as administration rules, were found, the report states.

The facility obtained licensure in 1994 for a capacity of 20 residents. The report states that there were typically two direct care workers — and sometimes just one — for the daytime and nighttime shifts, and some workers regularly had their children with them on the job.

The license suspension,

effective Oct. 6, requires

the company to notify the guardians of adults in their care of the suspension and that they can no longer provide adult foster care services.

A hearing before an administrative law judge with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules is pending.