CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than double from 46 million to over 98 million by 2060. The group's share of the total population will rise to nearly 24 percent from 15 percent. Many of those people will need adult care, perhaps in assisted living or even a nursing home.
NBC Charlotte is investigating the lowest rated adult care facilities in Mecklenburg County. Stephen Graham is with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, one of the agencies that has oversight.
"We want everybody to do their best and provide a safe and clean environment, so an “A” would naturally be the best grade to have,” said Graham.
On the recent list of grades, the Parc at Sharon Amity, which is assisted living, received an 85, that’s a mid B grade. The inspector noted dusty sticky floors in two rooms and noted heavy dust under beds and in closets in three others.
The inspector also noted a toilet seat with dried urine in the community shower room and some pink and brown residue on shower heads and on a shower chair in the community shower.
Here was the facility's response: "Parc at Sharon Amity is rated by the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Adult Care Licensure Section as a three-star community, with a state inspection score of 98.5 as of December 2017. During recent county inspections, Parc at Sharon Amity received a 93 rating for its kitchen. In other areas, some needed housekeeping and building repairs were reported; these items were immediately rectified, and a re-inspection has been requested.
"Parc at Sharon Amity is an assisted living community that faithfully cares for senior citizens who need personal care and assistance with daily activities, including residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory issues. Parc at Sharon Amity is not a nursing home or skilled nursing facility where hospital-like medical care is provided.”
University Place Nursing and Rehabilitation on 9200 Glenwater Drive was also low on the list in a recent inspection with a grade of 87, also a B. The inspector noted peeling wallpaper and damage throughout the building, even damage in a spa area. Drawers and cabinets were in need of cleaning, and so were the refrigerators throughout the building.
NBC Charlotte emailed this facility three times leaving an email address and cell phone number as points of contact, but no one responded.
Brookdale Cotswold on Randolph Road, which is assisted living, got a grade of 88. The inspector noted a black furry buildup on some window sills in two rooms, some roaches in the common area and stained sheets in two rooms.
A spokesperson emailed and called us to say this recent grade is not the norm.
“We are committed to providing compassionate care to our residents while giving them the respect they deserve. While the survey results did not meet our expectations, we feel strongly this is an isolated issue that was remediated as quickly as possible. At Brookdale, we are always striving for continuous improvement. This survey serves as an opportunity to make us better.”
When choosing care for yourself or loved ones, check out the facilities' public records at this link and look at their history of grades instead of one bad or one good.