UPDATE | Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, 11:30 a.m.
Since our initial report, we have learned that residents have been moved out of the facility.
ORIGINAL REPORT
A concerning situation is unfolding at a senior living facility in east Las Vegas.
Channel 13 has learned the air conditioning system is down at the Varsobia Home Care facility, leaving nearly a dozen elderly and fragile residents in sweltering heat.
Video sent in by a relative of one of the patients showed the thermostat on Tuesday afternoon reading above 90 degrees.
“This is an air conditioner where the heat portion is venting into the room instead of outside,” the relative said.
A family member of one of the patients says the air conditioning has been broken for nearly two weeks. They contacted Channel 13 wanting to know why their calls to get it fixed have gone unanswered.
Channel 13 contacted one of the company executives, who refused to state her position or provide additional contact information for one of her superiors so we could get more details on what was happening.
ALYSSA BETHENCOURT: If you’re working on something, can you elaborate a little bit on what it is you’re working on?
VARSOBIA EXECUTIVE: No, I'd rather not comment about it right now.
BETHENCOURT: Can you confirm that there's an issue, maybe something that has to do with air conditioning that could affect the patients there?
VARSOBIA: I’m not confirming anything right now.
BETHENCOURT: Are you concerned at all for the patients inside of that facility?
VARSOBIA: Yes of course that’s why I said we’re working on it.
Records show there are four Varsobia Home Care facilities in Las Vegas. According to their website, there are others in California, and they're all owned by the same company.
Channel 13 reached out to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and received the following statement.
"The [Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman] has authority to enter all licensed long-term care facilities to investigate and advocate for residents' well-being. The Ombudsman has been conducting monthly unannounced visits to this facility since it opened, ensuring that regulatory guidelines, including temperature control, are met, and care needs are being addressed.
During the last visit in August, no temperature-related concerns were identified. However, we are accepting this inquiry and will promptly investigate the current situation to address any safety concerns for the residents.
Residents and families are encouraged to reach out to the Ombudsman Program directly for assistance via our intake line at 1-888-282-1155 or by email at ltc.ombudsman@adsd.nv.gov.
The Ombudsman Program does not have the ability to perform welfare checks, as that falls under the jurisdiction of law enforcement. However, we work closely with law enforcement and other agencies if such referrals are necessary.
In addition to the LTCOP’s inquiry, [the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance] has opened a high-priority complaint regarding this facility. The agency will follow up to ensure regulatory compliance, including addressing any failure in maintaining safe living conditions for the residents.
If further records or complaints related to Varsobia Home Care become relevant during this investigation, they will be handled according to our reporting procedures.
We appreciate your dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents in our community."
