''We really need to look at our whole structure of what's available in terms of caring for elderly people who are no longer able to care for themselves,'' Grabel said. ''I think we need more than new rules. I think we need adequate funding and training and we need a camel's nose in the tent to see what's going on.''
Mountain Oak ''was a facility that had a good track record and not a lot of complaints,'' Wynn said. But the investigation into Borseth's death turned up seven violations of state rules governing assisted-living homes, health department reports show.
The department was most concerned about the fact that no manager was present at the time of the incident, Wynn said. Although there was only one caregiver in the home then, a ratio of one staff member for five residents should not be a problem, Wynn said. Furthermore, the health department does not require certain staff-to-resident ratios, she said.
Although the Mountain Oak caregiver called 911, there was no report of the incident on file, and no written policy on how pets living in the home should be cared for, and how residents' safety would be protected, Wynn said.
Although the incident with the dog was tragic, the dog had never been unfriendly and was never considered a risk to residents, Wynn said.
Lelle surrendered the dog to Pima Animal Care Center immediately following the May 20 incident. The dog had no rabies or other health problems, and staff at the center found her to be friendly and well-behaved. Animal behavior experts agreed, and the dog was adopted by a new owner on July 3.
???œ Contact reporter Jane Erikson at 573-4118 or at jerikson@azstarnet.com.
By Jane Erikson, Az Dailey Star
Mountain Oak ''was a facility that had a good track record and not a lot of complaints,'' Wynn said. But the investigation into Borseth's death turned up seven violations of state rules governing assisted-living homes, health department reports show.
The department was most concerned about the fact that no manager was present at the time of the incident, Wynn said. Although there was only one caregiver in the home then, a ratio of one staff member for five residents should not be a problem, Wynn said. Furthermore, the health department does not require certain staff-to-resident ratios, she said.
Although the Mountain Oak caregiver called 911, there was no report of the incident on file, and no written policy on how pets living in the home should be cared for, and how residents' safety would be protected, Wynn said.
Although the incident with the dog was tragic, the dog had never been unfriendly and was never considered a risk to residents, Wynn said.
Lelle surrendered the dog to Pima Animal Care Center immediately following the May 20 incident. The dog had no rabies or other health problems, and staff at the center found her to be friendly and well-behaved. Animal behavior experts agreed, and the dog was adopted by a new owner on July 3.
???œ Contact reporter Jane Erikson at 573-4118 or at jerikson@azstarnet.com.
By Jane Erikson, Az Dailey Star
